Subterranean Termites: Straight Answers for Ellis County Homeowners
Your home is one of your biggest investments, and Texas A&M AgriLife estimates termites cost Texas homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The upside is that termites are very manageable when you know what to look for. Here are the questions AgriLife hears most, with plain answers.
What are these black, winged insects in my home?
They may be termite "swarmers," the dark brown to blackish reproductive termites (about ⅜ inch long) that leave to start new colonies. They often shed their wings soon after flying. Termites can swarm any time of year, but in Texas it is most common from February through May. Finding swarmers indoors is a reliable sign of an infestation.
To tell them apart from flying ants: termites have no pinched waist, and their four wings are all about the same length. Ants have a narrow waist, elbowed antennae, and longer front wings.
I just found termites in my yard. Does my house need to be treated?
Not necessarily. In Texas, termites live in the soil wherever wood is found, and most yards have them. Finding them in a fence, woodpile, or landscape timber is simply a heads-up. Texas A&M suggests three easy steps:
Learn what swarmers look like.
Check your foundation for mud tubes, which are hollow soil tunnels running up to the house. If you find one, leave part of it in place for an inspector.
Keep soil, stacked wood, and debris away from the foundation.
If you suspect termites, it is a good idea to have a professional inspect your home.
Can I treat my home myself?
Texas A&M says it is nearly always best to hire a professional, because a thorough treatment takes specialized equipment and products. Do-it-yourself products are best kept to smaller structures like sheds, fence posts, decks, and woodpiles.
How dangerous are termite control chemicals?
All pesticides should be handled with care, but Texas A&M says termite products can be applied quite safely when used properly. Treatments go mostly into the soil under and around the home, so exposure risk is low. As an extra precaution, AgriLife suggests children and pregnant women leave during the application and that the home be aired out for 1 to 2 hours afterward.
Does my whole house need to be treated?
It depends. Spot treatments can cost less and can work, but termites often enter at points far from where they were found, and spot treatments frequently come with limited warranties. Texas A&M notes a complete treatment may be the better value, and new home buyers should be cautious about homes that were recently spot-treated.
One company uses baits and one uses liquids. Which is better?
AgriLife calls this "the most common question we receive," and there is no simple answer. Both work:
Baits feed slow-acting material to the colony. They use very little pesticide and are often seen as the "greenest" choice, but they need ongoing service to keep protecting your home.
Liquid soil treatments create a treated zone and give fast, usually reliable control. Products can last five years or more in the soil.
Texas A&M suggests comparing quotes, long-term maintenance, and warranties, and choosing a company based on its service, reputation, and warranty.
How important is the warranty?
Very. Texas A&M calls it one of the most important parts of a termite contract, because it spells out what the company will cover and for how long. Compare warranties carefully.
Do I need a warranty that covers Formosan termites?
For most Ellis County homeowners, probably not. Formosan termites are mainly established along parts of the upper Texas Gulf Coast. The few cases in North Central Texas appear to be linked to recycled railroad ties used as landscape timbers. If you know of one nearby, talk it over with your inspector.
Related guides: flying ants or termites? · rodent-proofing your attic
Local service: Pest control services in Waxahachie · Red Oak pest control
Need a hand?
If you'd rather have a local pro take a look, Stroope Pest Control is happy to help. We're locally owned, right here in Ellis County, and we serve Waxahachie, Red Oak, Midlothian, Ennis, Ovilla, Glenn Heights, Italy, and Forreston.
When you have problems, we have solutions. Call (972) 938-2129.
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