Termites are small insects that eat the wood inside your home. You often cannot see them. They work behind walls, under floors, and in the soil around your house. In our warm, wet climate, they stay active for much of the year.
Relationshiptargeted Pest Control is a referral service. We do not treat homes. We connect homeowners in Fate and the Fate area with independent providers in our network. We also show you what to ask, what a good answer sounds like, and what to avoid. Request an estimate, compare written quotes, and pick the provider that fits your home.
Think You Have Termites? Start Here
First, stay calm. Termites work slowly. But they do not stop on their own.
Look for the signs listed below. If you see one, ask a local provider to inspect your home. An inspection is a close look at the wood, soil, and walls. It tells you if termites are present and how far they have spread.
Why Termites Need Prompt Attention
A colony can hold thousands of insects. They eat day and night. Over months, that adds up to weak beams, sagging floors, and repair bills.
Waiting rarely makes the job cheaper. A small problem is simpler to treat than a spread-out one. So book the inspection early, even if you are not sure.
Know the Warning Signs
Termites hide well. These clues give them away.
Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites build thin tunnels of dirt. You may see them on foundation walls, brick, or pier posts. They look like pencil-width lines of dried mud.
Discarded Wings
Young termites with wings leave the nest to start new colonies. They are called swarmers. Piles of tiny, clear wings near windows or doors are a strong clue.
Wood That Sounds Hollow
Tap baseboards and door frames. Termite-eaten wood often sounds papery or hollow. A screwdriver may sink in with little push.
Warped Doors and Bubbling Paint
Sticking doors, rippled paint, and soft spots can mean moisture or termites. A provider can tell you which.
Know the Season
Our hot, humid summers and heavy rains help termites thrive. Swarms often appear in warm spells after rain. Mild winters mean the ground rarely freezes hard, so colonies can stay active longer than in cold states.
That means you should not wait for a "termite season" to end. Check your home each spring and after major storms. Wet soil near the slab invites trouble.
Types of Termites
The type decides the treatment. A good provider will name which one you have.
Subterranean Termites
These live in the soil and travel up to your house through mud tubes. They are the most common kind in warm regions. They need moisture, so leaks and soggy ground draw them in.
Drywood Termites
These live inside the wood itself. They need no soil contact. Look for tiny, hard pellets that resemble sand near infested wood.
How Termite Treatment Works
Most jobs follow a few clear steps.
Inspection First
The provider checks the attic, crawl space, outer walls, and soil line. Ask for notes or photos of what they find.
Liquid Barrier
The provider treats the soil around your foundation with a product that termites cannot cross. On a slab-on-grade home, this can mean drilling small holes in nearby concrete.
Bait Stations
Bait stations sit in the ground around your home. Termites carry the bait back to the nest. This method takes longer but uses less product.
Wood Treatment
For drywood termites, a provider may treat the wood directly or cover the whole house with a tent for gas treatment. Ask which fits your case.
Slab Homes and Pier-and-Beam Homes
Brick and vinyl siding can hide termite paths. Termites slip through small cracks near the slab edge. On older pier-and-beam houses, the crawl space needs a careful look at the posts and floor beams. Hot attics also matter, since drywood termites can nest in roof wood.
Termite Inspections for Home Sales
Buyers and lenders often ask for a termite report. The provider writes up what they found and notes any past damage. Order it early. If problems turn up, you will have time to treat and negotiate.
Ask Before You Hire
Ask before you hire. Use these questions:
- What kind of termites do I have, and how do you know?
- What treatment do you suggest, and why?
- Which products will you use, and where?
- How long does the work take?
- What does the warranty cover, and what voids it?
- Can I see the quote in writing?
What a Good Answer Sounds Like
A good provider names the termite type. They show you proof, like photos or damaged wood. They explain each step in plain words and give you a written quote. They also check that they are licensed in your state, and you can ask to see it.
Red Flags to Avoid
Be careful if a provider:
- Pushes you to sign on the spot
- Will not put the price in writing
- Names a treatment before looking at your home
- Cannot say which product they use
- Gives vague warranty terms
Quote in writing. Compare at least two.
Request a callback to check provider availability in your area.
After Treatment
Keep wood, mulch, and firewood away from your foundation. Fix leaks and keep gutters clear so rain drains away from the house. Most providers offer yearly checks. Ask what the renewal costs before you agree. Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy, and providers can often help document damage for a claim.
What's Included
Full Inspection
A provider checks the attic, crawl space, walls, and soil line for signs of live termites.
Soil Treatment
A treated zone around the foundation blocks termites from reaching the wood.
Bait Stations
Stations in the ground draw termites to bait that they carry back to the nest.
Written Quote
Ask for the method, the products, the warranty terms, and the price on paper.
Typical Termite Treatment Costs
Prices depend on your home size, the termite type, and how far the problem has spread. These are typical U.S. ranges. Always get a written quote before you agree.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Termite inspection | $50 – $300 | Some providers fold it into treatment |
| Liquid soil barrier | $1,000 – $2,500 | Based on the length of your foundation |
| Bait station system | $1,000 – $3,000 | Often includes monitoring visits |
| Spot wood treatment | $200 – $900 | For small, local drywood areas |
| Whole-home tent treatment | $2,000 – $8,000 | For widespread drywood termites |
| Yearly renewal or check | $100 – $400 | Varies by warranty terms |
How It Works
Request an Estimate
Tell us about your home and what you have seen. It takes a minute.
Get Matched
We connect you with a local provider in our network who handles termite work.
Compare Quotes
Ask each provider for a written quote and compare the method and warranty.
Schedule Work
Pick a provider and set a time that suits you.
Why Call Relationshiptargeted Pest Control
Ask Before You Hire
We show you the questions to ask and what a good answer sounds like.
Independent Providers
Providers in our network are local businesses that do the work and set their own prices.
Plain Language
Short words and simple steps, so you know what you are agreeing to.
Know the Season
Our guides explain how local weather shapes timing.
Other Services
Need termite treatment in Fate?
Tell us what you see in your home. Send a short request and a local provider in our network can follow up with an estimate.
No obligationTermite Treatment FAQ
How do I know if I have termites?
Look for mud tubes on foundation walls, piles of tiny wings, hollow-sounding wood, and sticking doors. A short inspection by a local provider can confirm whether termites are present and how far they have spread.
How long does termite treatment take?
It depends on the method. A soil barrier is often done in a day or two. Bait systems take months to work. Tent treatments need a few days away from home. Ask your provider for a timeline in writing.
Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Many policies exclude termite damage, since it builds slowly. Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.
Reach a local provider
Tell us what you see in your home. Send a short request and a local provider in our network can follow up with an estimate.
No obligation