Termite Control: Get Matched With a Licensed Local Exterminator

Termite activity can affect wood-frame properties in nearly every part of the country, though the species involved and the typical treatment approach both vary by region. Exterminator Dispatch connects property owners with a licensed local exterminator who evaluates the property directly, confirms what type of activity is present, and explains next steps and pricing before any work begins. The overview below covers general information about termite behavior, signs of activity, and what an inspection and treatment commonly involve.

Common Termite Types Homeowners Encounter

Several termite species are active across the United States, and the type most likely to affect a property depends heavily on region and climate. A licensed local exterminator can identify which species is present and recommend an approach suited to that species and to the property itself.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are the most widespread and economically damaging termite type in the country. They live in colonies below the soil surface and build distinctive mud tubes to travel from the ground to wood framing while staying protected from open air and light. Because the colony itself remains hidden underground, subterranean activity inside a structure can go unnoticed for months or longer before visible damage appears.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are more regional, generally found in warmer, coastal parts of the country. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood colonies live directly inside the wood they consume rather than in soil, which means they do not need contact with the ground or with moisture in the same way. This can make drywood infestations harder to detect from the outside of a structure.

Formosan Termites

Formosan termites are a more aggressive subterranean subtype found in certain regions of the country, often in warmer climates. Formosan colonies tend to be larger than typical subterranean colonies and can expand more quickly once established, which is one reason early identification matters.

Recognizing the Signs of a Termite Problem

Termite activity often shows a few consistent physical signs, and being able to describe them helps the licensed local operator prepare for an inspection.

• Mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels made of soil and saliva that subterranean termites build along foundation walls, piers, or other surfaces to travel safely between the soil and wood.
• Hollow-sounding wood — wood that has been hollowed out from the inside by feeding termites can sound papery or hollow when tapped, even though the surface looks intact.
• Discarded wings — after a swarm, reproductive termites shed their wings once they land, so small piles of uniform, similar-sized wings near windowsills or doors can indicate a nearby colony.
• Frass — for drywood termites specifically, frass is a fine, pellet-like waste product that gets pushed out of small openings in the wood as the termites tunnel, often collecting in small mounds beneath infested wood.

How Termites Behave

Subterranean termite colonies live in the soil, where moisture and temperature stay more consistent than above ground. Because worker termites need moisture to survive, they build mud tubes as a protected, moist pathway between the colony and any wood they are feeding on, whether that wood is part of a structure’s framing or simply in contact with the soil nearby.

Swarming is how termite colonies reproduce and expand into new areas. A mature colony releases winged reproductives, sometimes called alates, that fly out in large numbers to start new colonies elsewhere. Swarm timing varies by species and by region, but many colonies swarm in the spring, often after a rain, though some species swarm at other times of year. A swarm near a structure does not always mean that structure is infested, but it is worth having a licensed local operator take a look.

One reason termite activity often goes unnoticed for long stretches of time is that most of the colony’s work happens out of sight, inside wood or below ground. Visible signs like mud tubes or swarmer wings tend to appear well after activity has already been underway, which is part of why routine inspection is useful even when no obvious signs are present.

Why Termite Activity Is Worth Addressing

Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in structural wood, framing, and other wood building materials. Over time, sustained feeding can affect the wood’s structural integrity in the areas where termites are active, particularly when activity goes undetected for an extended period. This is a factual reason property owners take termite activity seriously and choose to have a licensed local operator confirm what is happening before deciding on next steps, rather than a reason for alarm on its own.

What a Licensed Local Operator’s Inspection Typically Covers

A termite inspection performed by a licensed local operator generally looks at the areas of a property most likely to show activity or provide termites an entry point.

• The foundation perimeter, checked for mud tubes, cracks, or other points where termites could travel from soil to wood.
• Crawlspaces and basements, where moisture levels and wood-to-soil contact are often assessed.
• The attic and roofline, particularly in regions where drywood termites are more common.
• Wood-to-soil contact points around the exterior, such as deck posts, fencing, or stored firewood against the structure.

For real-estate transactions, a wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection report is often required by lenders or as part of the closing process, and a licensed local operator can typically provide this type of documentation.

Common Treatment Approaches

Treatment approaches vary based on the termite species involved, the extent of activity, and the individual operator’s assessment of the property. In general terms, licensed local operators draw from a few broad categories of treatment.

Liquid Soil Treatments

For subterranean termites, one common approach involves treating the soil around and beneath a structure to create a barrier between the colony and the wood it is trying to reach. This is typically applied by a licensed operator along the foundation perimeter and other entry points identified during inspection.

Bait Station Systems

Bait systems use stations placed around the perimeter of a property that are monitored over time, giving the operator ongoing visibility into termite activity near the structure. This approach is often used alongside or instead of soil treatment, depending on the property and the operator’s preferred method.

Whole-Structure Options for Drywood Activity

In regions where drywood termites are more common, some infestations are extensive enough that a licensed operator may recommend a more intensive, whole-structure approach rather than spot treatment, since drywood colonies can be dispersed throughout a structure’s wood rather than confined to one area. The specific method used is determined by the operator based on the extent of activity found.

Before the Operator Arrives

While the licensed local operator handles inspection and treatment, there are a few general steps a property owner can take beforehand that may help reduce conditions termites are drawn to. These are general suggestions only and are not a substitute for a professional inspection.

• Reduce excess moisture near the foundation, such as directing downspouts away from the structure and addressing standing water.
• Keep firewood, mulch, and other wood materials away from direct contact with the foundation or exterior walls.
• Note any areas with visible mud tubes, swarmer wings, or soft or hollow-sounding wood so you can describe them when you connect with a licensed local operator.
• Avoid disturbing mud tubes or suspected activity before the inspection, since intact evidence helps the operator assess the situation.