Termites are quiet, organized, and relentless. By the time a homeowner notices bubbling paint, hollow-sounding wood, or https://shaneaczc743.huicopper.com/common-myths-about-pest-control-services-debunked a swarm near the window, the colony has often been feeding for years. I have walked into crawlspaces where joists looked fine from the side but crumbled under a screwdriver. I have also inspected pristine homes where a single mud tube on the foundation saved thousands in potential repairs because it was caught early. Choosing the right termite treatment is part science, part local knowledge, and part logistics. The best pest control company will not just sell chemistry, it will sell judgment formed by hundreds of inspections and jobs.
This guide lays out how professionals think through options, where each method fits, and what to expect from a competent pest control service. It also covers cost ranges, timelines, building-specific concerns, and the decisions that matter more than label names on a jug.
What species and construction tell us
Termite control starts with two pieces of information: the species and the way the structure is built.
In the United States, subterranean termites are responsible for the vast majority of damage. They nest in soil, travel in mud tubes, and need moisture. Drywood termites live inside dry wood and do not require soil contact. Formosan termites, a particularly aggressive subterranean species in the Gulf and parts of the Southeast, build huge colonies that challenge standard tactics. In the Southwest, desert subterranean termites behave a bit differently, with foraging that can hopscotch across landscape timbers and planters.
Construction dictates treatment access. A monolithic slab with limited penetrations is different from a post and beam home with open crawlspace. Finished basements, additions, wells, radiant heat, and French drains all change how a pest control contractor designs a plan. One case that stays with me: a historic brick townhouse with heart pine floors and no accessible crawlspace. A standard trench-and-treat would have meant tearing into plaster and flooring. We pivoted to a baiting program supplemented by targeted foam injections into wall voids, and we won that fight without a single decorative casualty.
If you are hiring an exterminator, expect these questions early: What is the foundation type? Any prior termite treatments? Any additions or slab cuts? Where is the moisture coming from? A seasoned exterminator service will sketch a site map, note utilities, and probe for live galleries, not just glance and quote.
The big three: soil treatments, baits, and structure-targeted options
Most termite programs revolve around three strategies. Each has strengths. The right pest control company will often recommend a combination, not because it pads the invoice, but because termites do not always cooperate with textbook plans.
Soil liquid treatments. These aim to create a treated zone in the soil that termites cannot pass without picking up a lethal dose. Technicians trench around the foundation and, where necessary, drill through slabs or porches to inject termiticide. Modern chemistries, like non-repellent liquids, rely on stealth. Termites tunnel through treated soil without detecting it, carry it back to the colony, and share it through social behavior. Repellent products can block entry but risk pushing termites to find gaps if applied unevenly.
Bait systems. Baiting is elegant in concept: give foraging termites a slow-acting toxicant mixed with a preferred cellulose, at multiple points around the property. They recruit nestmates, the colony feeds, and the poison spreads. Baits can eliminate or suppress colonies over time. They require monitoring, either by the pest control company or via a scheduled plan. They shine where liquid barriers are impractical or where environmental sensitivity is high, such as near wells, streams, or complex slab penetrations.
Structural and localized treatments. If you have drywood termites or known galleries in wood members, localized options include wood injections, foaming with non-repellent formulations, and surface treatments with borates. In limited subterranean infestations that are still accessible, gallery injections can knock down active feeding. Whole-structure fumigation, iconic for drywood termites, is sometimes the only reliable way to clear widespread, inaccessible infestations in framing, decorative beams, or furniture built-ins. For subterranean termites, fumigation does not address the soil colony and is rarely the main tactic.
In the field, I often pair soil treatment on the sun-drenched sides of a house where irrigation overspray keeps soil moist, with bait stations in tight alleyways or near densely planted beds where trenching would damage roots. For a pier-and-beam home, foaming accessible piers and plumbing penetrations can supplement either choice.
What the timeline really looks like
Homeowners often ask how fast treatments work. With a thorough liquid application, activity commonly declines within days to weeks. You may still see a swarm in the current season because alates develop on a cycle that pre-dates treatment. The absence of new mud tubes and no fresh patching of old tubes within one to two months is a good sign. With baits, patience pays. The stations need to be discovered and fed upon. In a well-designed layout with active foraging, first hits can occur within weeks, and colony suppression may take two to four months. Formosan colonies take longer and sometimes require higher station densities or a temporary spot treatment to reduce immediate pressure.
I like to explain it this way: liquids are a fast shield, baits are a slow spear. In some cases, you want both.
How pros decide between products and labels
Most clients never see the labels, but the differences matter. Non-repellent termiticides changed the game years ago because they increased transfer within the colony. Within that class, durability, binding to soil, and sensitivity to UV and pH vary. Clay-heavy soils can bind some actives more tightly, reducing mobility. Sandy soils leach faster. A veteran pest control contractor will adjust volumes and application methods to account for texture and drainage. The best exterminator company techs are part entomologist, part plumber.
Bait actives matter, too. Some disrupt chitin synthesis during molting. Others are metabolic inhibitors. Both rely on slow action, but they differ in how open they are to competing food sources and how they perform under low feeding pressure. Station placement is half the battle. I have seen bait lines fail simply because the landscaping crew buried them under mulch twice a year, or because the stations were placed far from the termites’ moisture corridor.
Wood treatments with borates are underused in retrofit scenarios. They are not a silver bullet for an existing subterranean infestation, but in a remodel where framing is exposed, a borate application can help protect susceptible members. Pre-treatments during new construction, sometimes required by lenders, are a separate category, typically with different products or diluted mixes delivered before slabs are poured.
When fumigation is the right answer
Drywood termites do not need soil. They tuck into roof decking, fascia, window frames, and furniture. Surface treatments struggle to reach every gallery because the insects live deep inside wood. If multiple areas show fecal pellets and kick-out holes, localized spot work becomes whack-a-mole. That is when whole-structure fumigation belongs on the table. The process involves tenting the building, sealing, and introducing a gas under controlled conditions, followed by ventilation and clearance testing.
Fumigation does not leave a residue, so it does not prevent future infestations. It is best paired with a prevention plan that addresses entry routes, cracked paint, and attic ventilation. Timing matters: fruit trees, roofing conditions, weather, and scheduling with neighbors in attached housing must be coordinated. A conscientious pest control company will walk you through preparation without hand-waving. The checklist is detailed, but it is manageable with a clear timeline.
Realistic costs and warranty terms
Prices vary by region, square footage, foundation complexity, and species. Here are ranges that align with what I have seen across many markets:
- Liquid perimeter treatment: commonly 4 to 12 dollars per linear foot of foundation, with the higher end for heavy drilling and complex access. A typical single-family home might land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars. Bait programs: initial installation often falls between 900 and 2,000 dollars for average lots, with ongoing monitoring fees from 300 to 600 dollars per year. Dense station layouts or large properties can push higher. Localized foaming or injections: 300 to 1,200 dollars for limited areas, depending on access and materials. Whole-structure fumigation for drywood termites: often 1,500 to 4,500 dollars for small to medium homes, scaling higher for larger or complex roofs.
Warranties differ. Some exterminator services offer a retreatment warranty only, others include damage repair caps. Homeowners sometimes focus on the length of the term, but the conditions matter more: is the warranty transferable to a buyer? Are annual inspections required? What voids the coverage? A strong policy balances accountability for the pest control company with realistic upkeep on the owner’s end, like maintaining proper drainage and grade.
The inspection that actually matters
An inspector’s eyes and hands tell a story. The tools help, but the habits solve the puzzle. Expect moisture readings near baseboards, probing along sill plates, and a look at attic and crawlspace vents. On slab homes, look for slab cracks at cold joints and where plumbing enters. Mud tubes often climb behind insulation or in closet corners along exterior walls. Swarmers at windows during spring are common, but do not confuse ant alates with termite alates. A sharp inspector will check waist constriction and wing length to confirm identity, and they will not shrug at a single discarded wing.
One memorable inspection involved a very clean garage with pegboard walls. The only clue was a faint stain around a conduit penetration near the water heater. A small cut revealed active galleries. The root cause was a downspout dumping at the slab for years. We corrected drainage, sealed the penetration, applied a perimeter liquid, and added a short run of bait near the damp side yard. Activity stopped, and it stayed that way.
Moisture, landscaping, and the human factor
Termites chase moisture. That gives homeowners leverage. I have seen gutters cure termite issues almost as effectively as any chemical, because they changed the environment from inviting to hostile. Overly enthusiastic mulch piled against stucco traps water. Planter boxes attached to siding bridge the gap between soil and wood. Leaky hose bibs can feed a mud tube city behind sheetrock.
When a pest control service specifies grading corrections or gutter work, it is not a sales ploy. They are removing the fuel. For pier-and-beam homes, simple vent repairs and vapor barriers in the crawlspace can reduce humidity enough to deter expansion. Dehumidifiers are rarely necessary unless there are broader building envelope problems.
Baits versus liquids, not a religion
Professionals sometimes argue the merits of baits versus liquids. The honest answer is both are excellent when designed and maintained well. Liquids are faster and often require less maintenance. Baits are minimally invasive and can eliminate colonies with precision. Each has failure modes: with liquids, incomplete coverage around a foundation penetration can become a termite freeway. With baits, poor station placement or sporadic monitoring leaves a slow system without feedback. Good companies do not marry a method, they marry results.
If I am called to a property with active subterranean termites in a finished basement and an artesian well within 75 feet, I lean toward a robust bait plan with a higher station density, plus non-invasive foaming around plumbing runs. For a simple ranch slab with spongy soil and no nearby water concerns, a liquid perimeter is efficient and reliable. If the budget allows, adding baits as a long-term hedge reduces the chance of pressure from neighboring lots.
Safety and environmental considerations
Modern termiticides are designed for low volatility and targeted action. Applied correctly, they bind to soil and remain where they are placed. That said, safety is about practice, not just labels. Conscientious application includes:
- Respecting setbacks from wells, streams, and drains, and using baits or adjusted methods in sensitive zones.
Outside of those two critical points, the rest of the safety story lives in technician training and the habits of an exterminator company. Ask how they protect plantings, whether they use collection pans when drilling, and how they manage slurry when pressure-injecting under slabs. You will learn more from those answers than from a brochure.
What a strong service plan feels like
From the homeowner’s perspective, a good termite plan looks like steady, predictable service and clear communication. It starts with a written diagram of the structure, what was treated, and why. It includes a timeline for follow-up inspections. If you choose baits, you should see a station map and know how often technicians will check and replenish. If you choose liquids, you should understand where trenches were cut and where holes were drilled. You should never find mystery drill dust in your carpet a week later.
The best pest control company techs take time to show you live or inactive tubes, point out conducive conditions, and explain what to watch for. They do not disappear after the initial application. They schedule a recheck. If swarmers were present, they anticipate and address homeowner anxiety during swarm season the following year. They make the invisible feel managed.
Pre-treatment and construction realities
If you are building or remodeling, involve a pest control contractor early. New construction pre-treats are cost-effective and reduce headaches later. For slab-on-grade, a pre-treat usually means treating soil before the pour and sometimes after, at critical joints and penetrations. For wood framing, borate applications to studs and sill plates can add a layer of protection, especially in areas with known termite pressure. Builders sometimes treat this as a box to check for code or lender compliance. Treat it as a chance to design out future risk, particularly around garages, porches, and additions that often become weak points.
For additions to older homes, slab cold joints where new concrete meets old create prime entry routes. I have returned to more than one home where the only untreated four-foot seam was exactly where termites appeared. A good exterminator service will detail how it will protect those joints.
Common pitfalls that cost homeowners money
Shortcuts and myths keep termites in business. Three patterns show up often:
Skipping the inspection under the hard-to-reach deck. Termites exploit the areas no one wants to crawl into. If a pest control contractor does not get eyes on those zones or build a treatment plan that accounts for them, you are not protected.
Treating old tubes without addressing moisture. Scraping and spraying a tube feels satisfying, but if the air conditioner drain line still dumps near the slab, the problem returns.
Assuming “no swarm, no problem.” Some colonies are mature yet do not swarm where you can see them. Others swarm outside and go unnoticed. Listen to the wood, tap baseboards, look for faint ripples or blistering paint, and trust the findings more than the absence of a big event.
How to choose the right partner
Treatments work best when the company behind them stands on a system, not a one-off. Ask for references, not just Google stars. Request the name of the technician who will return for monitoring, not just the salesperson. Look for membership in state pest associations, evidence of ongoing training, and the ability to articulate why they recommend one approach over another for your specific property.
If a quote is dramatically lower than others, focus on scope. Are they treating all penetration points? Are they drilling through slabs where necessary, or only trenching where convenient? For baits, how many stations and at what spacing? Do they have a plan for construction setbacks, driveways, and patios that interrupt a perimeter?
Value sits in the details. The exterminator company that leaves you with a clean diagram, photographs, and a measured plan tends to be the one that shows up when you need a warranty visit in three years.
What to expect on treatment day
A full liquid perimeter job takes a half day to a day for an average home. You will hear drilling along walkways and garage thresholds and see trenching along foundation lines. Good crews clean up well, tamping soil and replacing sod or mulch carefully. Indoors, they may open baseboard drill holes if wall void foaming is necessary, then patch with neat plugs. If your pest control service treats under a slab in a finished area, they will protect flooring and vacuum dust as they go.
For bait installations, expect technicians to place and mark stations, then map them. You might see them probing soil to find best locations near moisture sources and shade. They will label lids and record serials, then schedule follow-ups. Early visits may be more frequent as they look for feeding, then taper to quarterly.
With localized treatments, techs will drill small holes into wood members or inject foam into wall voids. The odor varies by product but is generally minimal. Ventilation helps. Holes are plugged and, if in finished areas, patched for paint later.
Fumigation timelines include prep, tenting, a gas exposure period that often spans 24 to 48 hours, and aeration. You will be out of the house during exposure and ventilation. The company provides a clearance certificate before reentry.
Measuring success over time
Successful termite control feels like nothing is happening, and that can be unsatisfying unless you know what to look for. No new mud tubes along foundation lines. No fresh patching on scraped tubes. No hollow-sounding thresholds or baseboards that blister. In a bait program, station checks show consumption patterns tapering, then shifting to monitors without active bait. In a liquid program, inspection ports drilled at selection points reveal treat-and-forget results. If you had swarmers one season, you might still see a few the next, but the volume should drop markedly.
I recommend setting one annual reminder to walk the perimeter with a flashlight, even if you have a warranty. Look especially at areas that changed: new planters, a recent patio pour, irrigation adjustments, or a water line repair. The best pest control service appreciates a homeowner who notices and calls early.
Final judgement call: matching treatment to your reality
No two houses are the same. If I stand on your front walk and hear lawn sprinklers, see mulch piled six inches high against wood siding, and learn that your home sits on a slab with a history of plumbing leaks, I lean toward a non-repellent liquid perimeter now, with a plan to correct grade and irrigation. I may add a small run of baits along the most irrigated side to intercept future pressure. If you have a well near the property line or protected wetlands at the back, I adjust the plan and rely more on baits.
If your inspection reveals drywood pellets under window sills, tiny blister spots under paint, and evidence of activity in multiple rooms, I stop pretending spot treatments will solve it. Fumigation becomes the primary tool, and I pair it with sealing and painting exterior trim to close reentry points.
If you own a rental with regular tenant turnover and you need simple, predictable upkeep, a liquid treatment with an annual inspection is often the most straightforward. If you are meticulous and want minimal disruption to landscaping, a bait program with disciplined monitoring suits you well.
The core message from a seasoned pest control contractor is this: termites follow moisture and time. You control both with building maintenance and with an intelligent treatment plan. Whether you choose a liquid barrier, a bait system, localized treatments, or a combination, insist on a clear rationale, careful execution, and monitoring that respects how termites actually behave. A capable exterminator service brings those pieces together so that your home’s wood remains just wood, not food.
Clements Pest Control Services Inc
Address: 8600 Commodity Cir Suite 159, Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 277-7378
Website: https://www.clementspestcontrol.com/central-florida