Annandale Termite Control
Protecting Annandale's Older Homes from Termites Since 1968
Family Owned
57 years of experience serving local homes with pets and kids.
Lower Risk Products
Our research team picked materials better for the planet & your home
No Contracts
We don't lock you in with paperwork - stay because it works!
Trusted Termite Control for Annandale's Mature Neighborhoods
Annandale's housing stock tells a story. With roughly 40% of homes built in the 1960s and another 23% dating back before 1960, this Fairfax County community has some of the oldest residential properties in the area. Those classic brick ramblers, split-levels, and Cape Cods along streets in Canterbury Woods, Broyhill Crest, and Ravensworth Park weren't built with modern termite prevention in mind.
At Better Termite & Pest Control, we've been protecting Northern Virginia homes since 1968—right when many Annandale neighborhoods were being built. Our technicians understand the unique challenges of older construction: cinderblock foundations with hairline cracks, dated crawlspaces, aging soffits, and original wood framing. We use Sentricon bait stations, traditional liquid treatments, and borate-based solutions to stop termite damage before it starts. Our research team has removed 9 harsh chemicals from our programs, giving you effective protection without unnecessary risk.
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Why Annandale Homes Need Termite Protection
Annandale sits in one of the highest termite-pressure zones in the country. The humid subtropical climate—with hot summers averaging 87°F and over 42 inches of annual rainfall—creates ideal conditions for Eastern subterranean termites. Add in Accotink Creek running through the community and the mature tree canopy shading most properties, and you have a recipe for moisture problems that termites love.
The older construction common throughout Annandale's neighborhoods presents specific vulnerabilities. Foundation cracks in 60-year-old cinderblock, unsealed crawlspaces, earth-to-wood contact from decades-old decks and additions, and aging drainage all create entry points for foraging termites. Our licensed technicians perform detailed 78-point inspections that check every potential trouble spot—from mud tubes along foundations to hollow-sounding trim around doors and windows.
Termite Damage Risks in Fairfax County
Termites cause over $5 billion in damage annually across the United States, and Northern Virginia sits in the second-highest region for termite activity in the country. An average undetected infestation costs homeowners $1,000-$2,000 to treat and causes $3,300 in structural damage before anyone notices. In Annandale's older homes, that damage can be even worse—original wood framing and aged crawlspaces can hide termite activity for years.
Eastern subterranean termites are sneaky. They stay underground and inside wood, avoiding open air that would dry them out. By the time you see mud tubes on your foundation or discarded wings near windows, termites may have been feeding on your home for months or years. Properties near Accotink Creek, Mason District Park, and the wooded stream valleys throughout Annandale face elevated risk due to constant moisture and nearby harborage.
How We Treat Termites in Annandale
We offer three proven approaches to termite control, tailored to your Annandale home's specific situation. For proactive protection and early detection, we install Sentricon bait stations around your property's perimeter. Termites find the cellulose-based bait, share it with their colony, and the active ingredient—noviflumuron—disrupts their molting process to eliminate the entire colony including the queen.
For active infestations or more immediate concerns, traditional liquid treatments create a chemical barrier that termites cannot cross. This involves trenching around your foundation and, depending on construction, may include drilling concrete slabs or front stoops. For new construction or major renovations, we offer preconstruction wood treatments using borate-based solutions that provide lasting protection. Every product we use is vetted by our internal research team—we've eliminated 9 harsh chemicals common in our industry.
Eastern subterranean termites are the most common wood-destroying insects in Fairfax County
Sentricon stations provide continuous monitoring and colony elimination around your home
Our Sentricon system is designed with your household in mind
Our technicians bring 57 years of local experience to every Annandale home
Warning Signs for Annandale Homeowners
Early detection is the key to preventing costly termite damage. In Annandale's humid environment, you should watch for mud tubes—pencil-width tunnels of dirt—along your foundation, in your crawlspace, or running up cinderblock walls. Tap wood trim around doors, windows, and your garage; a hollow sound can indicate termites eating from the inside out.
Discarded wings near windowsills or light fixtures signal termite swarmers, the reproductive members that emerge each spring to start new colonies. Wood that appears blistered or damaged, unexplained sawdust-like material (called frass), and paint that bubbles or peels can all point to termite activity. Because many Annandale homes have additions and renovations from over the decades, pay special attention to transitions between old and new construction—these are common hidden entry points.
High-Risk Areas in Your Annandale Home
- Crawlspaces with exposed soil or inadequate ventilation
- Foundation cracks in 1950s-60s cinderblock construction
- Wood-to-soil contact from older decks, porches, or landscape timbers
- HVAC units alongside the house (creates moisture and thermal gradient)
- Mulch beds against the foundation
- Aging fencing, sheds, and carports with wood in contact with ground
What a Termite Inspection Looks Like
Our termite inspection is thorough and hands-on. A licensed technician starts outside, examining your foundation for mud tubes, probing soil near the base of your home, and checking earth-to-wood contact points. We inspect around HVAC units, mulch beds, stored firewood, and any stumps or dead trees—all termite attractors common in Annandale's mature landscapes.
Inside, we check the lowest level of your home, tapping trim and baseboards to detect hollow wood. In homes with unfinished basements or accessible crawlspaces, we pull back insulation to inspect joists and beams. Annandale's older crawlspaces can hide termite activity for years if not regularly checked—our inspection ensures nothing is missed. After the inspection, you receive a clear report with our findings and recommended treatment plan in plain English.
What Annandale Neighbors Are Saying
1,050+ 5 Star Reviews on Google "I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business."
"We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house... Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our townhouse over 40 years ago... They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy."
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years."
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business."
"We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house... Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our townhouse over 40 years ago... They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy."
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years."
Our Process
Annandale Local Experts
Our team knows Annandale's 1950s-60s brick ramblers and split-levels inside and out. We tailor termite protection to your home's unique construction.
Older Home Specialists
With 40% of Annandale homes built in the 1960s, we focus on protecting aging foundations, crawlspaces, and wood framing from termite damage.
Sentricon & Liquid Treatments
We combine advanced Sentricon bait stations with traditional liquid treatments to eliminate colonies and prevent future infestations.
Fast Response Times
Direct phone support and quick technician dispatch means your termite concerns are addressed within one work day in most cases.
Serving Annandale & All of Fairfax County
From Canterbury Woods to Broyhill Crest, we protect Annandale homes from termites.