Subterranean Termite Treatment: What to Expect From Start to Finish

Before anything is treated, a technician inspects the structure. They are looking at the foundation perimeter, any wood-to-soil contact, the crawlspace if there is one, the garage slab, around plumbing penetrations, and any wood members they can access. Mud tubes (pencil-width tunnels made of soil and wood particles that run from the ground up a foundation wall) are the most visible sign, but they also look for blistered or sagging wood, hollow-sounding framing, and frass.

The inspection determines whether the infestation is localized or widespread, whether there is structural damage that needs a contractor, and which treatment method makes the most sense for your property. A slab-on-grade home in a rocky Hill Country lot has different treatment considerations than a pier-and-beam construction.

The most common approach for active infestations is a liquid termiticide applied to the soil around and under the foundation. The technician drills through the slab (typically every 12 inches along the interior of the foundation) and through concrete or pavers along the exterior, then injects the product into the soil below. Trenching around the exterior foundation is often done alongside drilling to ensure full coverage.

The termiticide creates a treated zone in the soil. Foraging termites either contact it directly, pick it up and transfer it to nestmates, or are blocked from reaching wood. Modern products like Termidor are non-repellent, meaning termites cannot detect and avoid them, which makes the treatment more thorough.

After treatment, the drill holes are patched. Interior holes in a finished floor are filled with a cementitious plug. The process takes a few hours on most homes, can vary for larger or more complex foundations, and you can return to the home the same day.

Bait stations are installed in the soil around the perimeter at regular intervals. Each station contains a cellulose matrix that termites prefer over wood. When termites find and feed on the bait, they carry a slow-acting insect growth regulator back to the colony, which disrupts molting and eventually collapses the colony.

Bait systems work over a longer timeframe than liquid treatment and require regular monitoring visits to check and replenish the bait. They are lower impact on the soil environment and can be a good fit for properties with landscape or drainage considerations that complicate trenching. Some treatment programs use both a liquid application and bait stations together.

Termite treatments are typically backed by some form of service guarantee, and the specifics vary from company to company. Before you sign, ask how follow-up activity is handled and what the agreement covers.

Keeping coverage current can matter at resale, since buyers often ask for documentation as a condition of closing. Read the terms of any agreement carefully so you understand exactly what is and isn't included before you sign.

You do not need to do anything dramatic after a liquid termite treatment. Avoid watering along the foundation for a day or two to let the product set. Do not dig near the treated zone. Keep the annual inspection scheduled so any new activity is caught early.

If you had structural damage, the treatment stops the termites but does not fix the wood. A licensed contractor should assess load-bearing members. Cosmetic damage like baseboards or drywall is typically a separate project, done after treatment and once you are sure activity has stopped.