When to call an exterminator for termites?

Knowing the right time to call in professional help for termites can save you thousands of dollars in potential structural damage. While some pest problems can be handled with DIY solutions, termites often require specialized knowledge and equipment to eradicate completely.

Warning Signs That Demand Professional Attention

You should call an exterminator immediately if you notice any of these definitive signs of termite activity:

1. Live termites: The most obvious indication is seeing actual termites, whether they’re workers (small, cream-colored insects) or swarmers (flying termites with wings). Swarmers typically appear in spring or early summer in Texas, especially after rain.
2. Mud tubes: Pencil-sized tunnels running along your foundation, walls, or other surfaces are a telltale sign of subterranean termites. These protective tunnels allow termites to travel between their colony and food sources.
3. Discarded wings: After swarmers mate, they shed their wings. Finding small piles of wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures indicates that termites are establishing new colonies nearby.
4. Hollow-sounding wood: If wooden structures sound hollow when tapped, termites may have eaten the interior while leaving the surface intact.
5. Frass (termite droppings): Small, pellet-like droppings that resemble sawdust or coffee grounds are evidence of drywood termites.
6. Tight-fitting doors or windows: Termite activity can cause wood to warp, making doors and windows difficult to open or close.

Timing Considerations for Termite Control

Even without visible signs, certain situations warrant calling an exterminator:

1. During home purchase: Always arrange a professional termite inspection before finalizing a property purchase, especially in high-risk areas like Houston or Dallas/Fort Worth.
2. After nearby infestations: If neighbors report termite problems, it’s wise to have your property inspected as termites can easily spread between adjacent properties.
3. Following flooding or water damage: Moisture-damaged wood is particularly attractive to termites. After any significant water event, have your home checked.
4. For annual inspections: In termite-prone regions like Texas, yearly professional inspections are recommended even without obvious signs of infestation. Early detection can prevent extensive damage.
5. Before renovation: If you’re planning substantial home improvements, have a termite inspection first. Discovering and treating termites before you invest in renovations can save significant time and money.

Attempting to treat termites yourself often leads to incomplete elimination. Consumer-grade products typically can’t reach the heart of the colony, especially with subterranean termites whose nests may be located 20-30 feet from where damage is visible. Professional exterminators have access to more effective treatments and the experience to apply them correctly.

Remember that termites work continuously and silently. By the time visible damage appears, they’ve likely been active for months or even years. The cost of professional treatment is significantly less than the potential repair costs for severe structural damage.

Don’t delay calling an exterminator if you suspect termites. The longer an infestation persists, the more extensive the damage becomes and the more difficult (and expensive) treatment becomes. When it comes to termites, professional intervention at the earliest sign of trouble is always the most cost-effective strategy.