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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Termites cause hefty damage—over [termites cause over $5 billion in property damage annually](https://extension.umd.edu/resource/termites) in the U.S. They can eat wood for years in secret. After helping 100+ customers, I’ve seen how tough it is to spot these pests before they damage your home.
Termites live mostly underground or inside wood, so you rarely spot them. According to a US Forest Service bulletin, 95% of the colony stays hidden. You might only see swarmers or some soldiers.
Workers build **shelter tubes**—mud tunnels about ⅛–¼ inch wide. These tubes connect the soil to wood in darkness so termites avoid light while feeding.
Termite colonies have clear roles, each with unique features:
Their lifecycle from egg to alate takes about 2–3 years at 70°F soil temperature.
Virginia, Maryland, and DC face a few key species:
It’s easy to mix up winged ants and termites. Key differences:
For more details, check Termites vs Flying Ants.
Spot these to catch issues early:
During an inspection, you look for live termites (Type A evidence) or old damage (Type B). Live termites in soil or wood are a clear flag.
Professionals use tools like a moisture meter and infrared cameras. These help spot hidden moisture and “cold” lines in wall studs.
With some basic tools, you can start an inspection:
Inspect annually or every three years if you have bait stations. Watch out for hidden damage in inaccessible crawl spaces—they can hide severe issues for years.
The USDA ranks our region as moderate-to-heavy termite hazard. Regular inspections catch problems before they cost thousands.
From my experience with 100+ customers, proactive baiting with Sentricon often costs less and reduces stress compared to emergency liquid treatments.
Sentricon® baiting stations offer an early detection system with strong success rates. They use monitored bait to lure and eliminate colonies.
Builders often apply borate-based pre-construction treatments. These wood treatments protect framing and come with renewable warranties for the first year.
Learn more in our Sentricon® FAQ’s.
For severe infestations, we use trenching with products like Premise® or Termidor®. We may drill slabs and infested areas for targeted liquid treatment.
Sometimes we combine methods—baits and liquids—to tackle tough colonies that miss bait stations.
DIY monitoring stakes can alert you to swarms but don’t replace a full inspection. Licensed technicians follow a 78-point checklist to find hidden issues.
Our team uses **EPA approved** products chosen by our in-house research group. We removed nine high-risk chemicals from our choices.
For more prevention tips, see Termite Prevention & Control or our location page on Northern Virginia Termite Control.
Ready to protect your home? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for an estimate or any questions.
Termites are pale to dark-bodied insects. Workers are soft and white; soldiers have dark heads and mandibles. Alates (swarmers) have two pairs of equal, transparent wings.
Look for mud tubes, hollow wood, blistered paint, or discarded wings. Probing wood with a screwdriver can reveal live workers below the surface.
Early damage shows small mud tubes and slight wood discoloration. Advanced damage includes large hollow areas and sagging wood beams.
DIY inspections help you catch obvious signs, but trained technicians find hidden issues. Inaccessible spaces and subtle damage often need a pro’s tools.
We recommend annual inspections. If you use bait stations, you can extend to every three years, but survey monthly for any warning signs.
Mud tubes are narrow, soil-packed tunnels on foundations or walls. They’re about ⅛ to ¼ inch wide and often follow cracks or seams.
Swarmer sightings indicate a mature colony nearby. Even if you don’t see tubes or frass, call for an inspection when you notice winged termites indoors.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
