Termites enjoy Spring Break, be watchful

Your home inspector, Vince

(512) 762-5912

Termites are destructive pests that can cause serious structural damage to homes if not addressed properly.

Professionals overwhelmingly recommend these approaches, as they target the entire colony rather than just visible termites.

1. Liquid Soil-Applied Termiticide Barriers This is one of the most common and fastest-acting methods. A licensed professional digs a trench around your home's foundation (and may drill into slabs or concrete), then applies a long-lasting termiticide (like those containing fipronil or imidacloprid) to create a chemical barrier in the soil. Termites crossing it die, and it prevents new entry.

   • Pros → Quick results, provides broad perimeter protection, lasts several years.

   • Cons → Involves digging/trenching; more invasive. Often considered highly effective for active infestations with visible damage.

2. Termite Baiting Systems (e.g., Sentricon or similar) Stations with slow-acting bait (containing growth inhibitors like hexaflumuron) are placed in the ground around your property (every 10–20 feet). Foraging termites find, eat, and share the bait, eventually killing the entire colony (including the queen).

   • Pros → Less invasive (no major digging), monitors ongoing activity, eliminates the source colony over time, often more eco-friendly/lower chemical use overall.

   • Cons → Takes weeks to months to fully work; requires regular monitoring. Many experts call this one of the best long-term solutions, especially for prevention and colony elimination.

3. Combination Approaches Many pros use both liquid barriers for immediate protection + bait systems for ongoing colony control and monitoring. Newer trends emphasize targeted treatments (less "chemical flooding") and tech like thermal imaging or smart bait stations for better detection.

4. Other Specialized Options (less common for subterranean termites)

   • Fumigation (tenting): For severe drywood termites or whole-structure issues (uses gas to penetrate everywhere).

   • Heat or microwave treatments: Chemical-free, targeted heat kills termites in localized areas.

   • Physical barriers (e.g., stainless steel mesh or specific sands): Best installed during new construction.

However there are steps you can take to defeat termites.

1. Eliminate access to termite food and water. Remove sources of wet wood or damp soil. Remove sources of food near the home like cardboard, firewood, mulch or other wood products. Don't allow access to wallpaper, facing on drywall, wood siding or cellulose insulation. This is done by keeping the siding 6-8 inches above the soil line. Decorative stone or gravel might be a better choice and store wood twenty feet from the home.

2. If you have a crawl space don't store wood products on the ground.

3. Repair any plumbing leaks or remove water source.

4. Seal gaps and cracks in siding and foundation.

5. Trim vegetation around the home so the sun can dry the soil. Dense branches and vines can even lead to moisture inside the walls.

6. Make sure gutters and drainage around the home is sufficient to move water away from the exterior

7. Watch for termite swarms. If you see winged insects around or inside the home then make sure to identify them and if they are termites look for the source. Look for piles of shed wings near windows.

8. Also look for mud tubes which indicate termites. Don't destroy the tubes. Have a professional locate the nest.

9. If you see damaged wood suspect termites or other wood destroying organisms. It is no always rotted wood alone.