Termite Treatment in Texas — Complete Guide

About Termites in Texas

Texas ranks among the most termite-prone states in the nation, with warm temperatures and high humidity creating ideal conditions for year-round termite activity. Three main termite species threaten Texas homes and businesses:

• Eastern subterranean termites are the most common species, found in every region of the state. They live in underground colonies and build distinctive mud tubes to access above-ground wood.
• Formosan subterranean termites are among the most destructive termite species in the world. Established in the Houston, Dallas, and Gulf Coast areas, a single Formosan colony can contain millions of workers and consume up to 13 ounces of wood per day.
• Drywood termites are found primarily in South Texas and coastal regions. Unlike subterranean species, they do not require ground contact and can infest furniture, attic framing, and structural wood directly.

Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage annually across the United States, and Texas accounts for a significant share of that figure. Early detection and professional treatment are essential to protecting your property.

Identification: Three Species You'll See in Texas

Subterranean Termites

Workers are cream-colored and about 1/8 inch long. Swarmers are dark brown to black with two pairs of equal-length wings, measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch. They build mud tubes on foundation walls, pipes, and other surfaces to maintain moisture as they travel between the soil and their food source.

Formosan Termites

Formosan swarmers are yellowish-brown and slightly larger than subterranean swarmers. They swarm in large numbers on warm, humid evenings in late spring and are strongly attracted to lights. Formosan termites build distinctive carton nests made of chewed wood, soil, and fecal material inside wall cavities, allowing colonies to survive without direct ground contact.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites do not build mud tubes. They produce frass — small, hexagonal fecal pellets that accumulate in piles beneath infested wood. Swarmers are larger than subterranean species and are often light brown. They infest dry, sound wood including furniture, picture frames, and structural lumber.

Warning Signs of an Infestation

1. Mud tubes on foundation walls, plumbing pipes, or along interior walls — pencil-width tunnels made of soil and wood particles.
2. Hollow-sounding wood when tapped, indicating internal damage where termites have consumed the interior while leaving the painted surface intact.
3. Discarded wings near windows, doors, and light fixtures after a termite swarm event.
4. Frass — small piles of sawdust-like, six-sided pellets below kick-out holes, indicating drywood termite activity.
5. Bubbling or peeling paint on wood surfaces, caused by moisture from termite tunneling just beneath the surface.
6. Tight-fitting doors and windows that suddenly become difficult to open, caused by wood warping from termite damage and moisture.
7. Visible damage to baseboards, door frames, deck posts, and fence rails — especially wood in contact with or near soil.

Health and Property Risks

Termites do not bite humans or transmit diseases, but the property damage they cause can be devastating. The average termite damage repair in Texas costs between $3,000 and $8,000. Severe Formosan termite infestations can result in repair bills exceeding $25,000, particularly when structural members are compromised. Standard Texas homeowner's insurance policies do not cover termite damage, making prevention and early detection critically important. Left untreated, termites can compromise a home's structural integrity, affecting foundations, floor joists, and roof trusses.

Swarm Season in Texas

While termites feed year-round in Texas, swarming seasons vary by species:

• Eastern subterranean termites swarm from February through May, typically during the daytime following a warm rain.
• Formosan termites swarm from May through June, usually on warm, humid evenings and are strongly attracted to artificial lights.
• Drywood termites swarm from September through November in coastal areas.

Peak damage occurs during spring and summer when colonies are most active and growing. Annual professional inspections are recommended for all Texas homes, ideally scheduled before the spring swarm season begins in February.

Professional Treatment Methods

Liquid Barrier Treatment

A continuous chemical barrier is applied in the soil around and beneath the foundation. Products such as Termidor (fipronil) and Taurus SC create a lethal zone that termites cannot detect, allowing the chemical to spread through the colony via contact transfer. This is the most common treatment for subterranean termites.

Bait Systems

Monitoring stations are installed around the perimeter of the home. When termite activity is detected, bait cartridges containing a slow-acting growth inhibitor are placed in the stations. Foraging termites carry the bait back to the colony, gradually eliminating it. Popular systems include Sentricon, Advance, and Trelona ATBS.

Fumigation (Tenting)

Used primarily for drywood termites, the entire structure is sealed under a tent and filled with sulfuryl fluoride gas (Vikane). This penetrates all wood members and eliminates the colony. Homeowners must vacate for 2 to 3 days during treatment.

Heat Treatment

A chemical-free option for localized drywood termite infestations. Specialized heaters raise the temperature of infested areas to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours, killing termites in all life stages.

Borate Wood Treatment

A preventive treatment commonly applied during new construction. Products like Bora-Care and Tim-bor are applied directly to exposed wood framing, providing long-term protection against termites, carpenter ants, and wood-decay fungi.

What to Expect from a WDI Inspection

A professional termite inspection is the most important step in protecting your Texas home from termite damage. During a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) inspection — also called a termite inspection — a licensed inspector examines the interior and exterior of your home for signs of active termite activity, previous damage, and conditions conducive to infestation.

The inspector will check the foundation perimeter for mud tubes, probe wood members in the basement or crawl space for hollow spots, examine the attic for drywood termite frass, inspect plumbing penetrations and expansion joints for entry points, and evaluate moisture conditions around the home. A thorough inspection takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the size and accessibility of the structure.

Termite inspections are required for most real estate transactions in Texas — the lender typically requires a clear WDI report before closing. A standard termite inspection costs $75 to $150, though many pest control companies offer free inspections when combined with a treatment plan. Annual inspections are recommended for all Texas homes, ideally in January or February before the spring swarm season begins.

Prevention Tips

• Eliminate all wood-to-soil contact around your foundation, including form boards, grade stakes, and landscaping timbers.
• Repair leaky plumbing, HVAC condensation lines, and irrigation systems that create excess moisture near the foundation.
• Keep gutters clean and ensure downspouts direct water at least 3 feet away from the foundation.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house and keep it elevated off the ground.
• Maintain an 18-inch gap between soil and any wooden siding or structural wood.
• Seal all cracks and gaps in the foundation, around utility penetrations, and at expansion joints.
• Schedule annual professional termite inspections — typical cost is $75 to $150, and many companies offer free inspections.