Arlington Termite Control
Protecting Arlington's Historic 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.
57 Years of Termite Protection for Arlington Families
Arlington is one of the oldest suburbs next to Washington, D.C. Brick Colonials in Ashton Heights, Bungalows in Lyon Park, Tudors in Cherrydale, Cape Cods in Arlington Forest, and ranches in Waverly Hills were mostly built between the 1910s and 1960s. These homes have aging masonry foundations, original wood framing, and basements with older waterproofing. Years of settling have created entry points for Eastern subterranean termites.
Better Termite & Pest Control has been protecting Northern Virginia homes since 1968. We use Sentricon bait stations, liquid barriers, and borate-based wood treatments to stop colonies before they cause damage. Our research team has removed 9 harsh chemicals from our programs and chose lower-risk products that we use in our own homes. No contracts, no phone trees. Just direct access to licensed technicians who know Arlington homes inside and out.
Get a Free Quote
Choose the option that works best for you
Option 1: Call a Licensed Tech
Option 2: Submit Your Info to our Team
Why Termites Thrive in Arlington's Environment
Arlington sits in one of the highest termite-pressure zones in the country. The humid climate brings summer highs near 88°F and over 42 inches of rain each year. The wettest months run from May through September. That moisture is what subterranean termites need. Four Mile Run is a 9.4-mile stream that drains about two-thirds of Arlington County. It flows from Ballston to the Potomac River. Its floodplain, along with Lubber Run, Doctor's Branch, and dozens of storm drains, keeps the soil around it soaked.
The housing stock adds to the risk. Homes built before 1950 often have stone or brick foundations with mortar joints that crack over time. Homes from the 1940s through 1960s often have poured concrete or cinderblock foundations that develop cracks with age. Many have basements with older waterproofing and original wood sill plates close to the ground. Aging porches, stoops, and landscape timbers create direct wood-to-soil contact. The thick tree canopy in Yorktown, Westover, and Donaldson Run adds rotting wood and leaf litter near homes, which keeps termite colonies active and close by.
The Real Cost of Undetected Termites in Arlington
Termites cause over $5 billion in damage across the United States each year. Northern Virginia ranks in the second-highest risk zone in the country. By the time a hidden infestation is found, the average homeowner pays $3,000 to $5,000 in structural repairs. That cost goes up fast in older homes where framing, floor joists, and sill plates have weakened over the years.
Eastern subterranean termites avoid open air. They travel underground and build mud tubes to reach wood in your home. They eat from the inside out. In Arlington's pre-war and mid-century homes, they can chew through basement joists, subflooring, and beams for months before anyone notices. Properties near Four Mile Run, Lubber Run, and the Potomac shoreline face higher risk. The moist soil there supports larger, more active colonies.
How We Eliminate Termites in Arlington Homes
We match our termite treatment to your home's build and situation. For proactive monitoring, we install Sentricon bait stations around your property. Termites find the bait and carry it back to their colony. The active ingredient, noviflumuron, stops them from molting. The whole colony collapses, queen included. Sentricon stations need no drilling or trenching and provide year-round monitoring.
For active infestations, we apply liquid treatments by trenching along your foundation and treating the soil. In some Arlington homes with slab additions or concrete front stoops, this may include rod-injection or sub-slab treatment. For renovations (common in Clarendon and Ballston), we offer borate treatments that protect exposed wood before walls go up. Our research team reviews every product we use. We have cut 9 harsh chemicals common in our industry and chose materials like Sentricon, Alpine, and borate solutions instead.
Eastern subterranean termites are the primary wood-destroying insect across Arlington County
Termite workers consume wood from the inside out, often going undetected for months
Sentricon stations provide continuous colony elimination with no drilling or trenching
Sentricon is a lower-risk termite solution vetted by our internal research team
Perimeter treatments create a protective barrier around your home's foundation
Our technicians bring 57 years of Northern Virginia experience to every inspection
Warning Signs Every Arlington Homeowner Should Watch For
Finding termites early prevents costly repairs. In Arlington's humid climate, subterranean termites can build colonies year-round. They are most visible during spring swarming season, from March through May. That is when winged termites come out to start new colonies. You may find shed wings near windowsills, light fixtures, or sliding glass doors.
Between swarm seasons, look for mud tubes along your foundation, on basement walls, or running up cinderblock. These are pencil-width tunnels made of dirt. Tap wood trim around doors, windows, and your garage with a screwdriver. A hollow sound means termites may be eating from the inside. Bubbling paint, small piles of dirt-like debris, and soft spots in flooring are all clues. Many Arlington homes have been renovated and expanded over the years. Pay close attention to where original construction meets additions. These joints are common hidden entry points.
High-Risk Areas in Your Arlington Home
- Basements with older waterproofing or exposed masonry foundation walls
- Cracks in older stone foundations and mid-century cinderblock
- Wood-to-soil contact from aging porches, stoops, or landscape timbers
- HVAC units along outside walls that create moisture buildup
- Mulch beds pushed against the foundation, which is common in Arlington landscaping
- Crawlspaces under additions with limited moisture barriers
- Bathroom and kitchen plumbing openings where moisture builds up
What Our 78-Point Termite Inspection Covers
Our termite inspection starts outside. A licensed technician checks your foundation for mud tubes and probes the soil near your home. We look at every spot where wood touches earth: front stoops, porch columns, deck posts, landscape timbers, and garage door framing. We also check around HVAC units, mulch beds, firewood, tree stumps, and dead wood on the property. Near Lubber Run and Donaldson Run, we look closely at drainage and low spots where moisture pools.
Inside, we inspect the lowest level of your home. In Arlington's many two-story Colonials and Cape Cods, that means checking the full basement. We look at exposed joists, sill plates, utility openings, and the inside face of the foundation wall. We tap trim and baseboards, probe window and door frames, and check any exposed beams. Homes in Ashton Heights, Lyon Park, and Cherrydale often have basements with original masonry where termites can hide for years. After the inspection, you get a clear report with our findings and a treatment plan written in plain English.
Arlington Neighborhoods We Inspect Every Week
Our technicians are regularly in Ashton Heights, Lyon Park, Clarendon, Ballston (22201), Yorktown, Westover, Arlington Forest (22205), Waverly Hills, Cherrydale, Donaldson Run (22207), Claremont, Barcroft, Penrose (22204), Columbia Heights West, and Columbia Pike. We serve all Arlington ZIP codes: 22201, 22202, 22203, 22204, 22205, 22206, 22207, 22209, and 22213.
Sentricon: Year-Round Colony Elimination for Arlington Properties
Sentricon is one of the most studied termite bait systems on the market. It is our top choice for ongoing protection in Arlington. The stations go in the ground around your home and are barely visible once in place. Inside each station is a bait laced with noviflumuron. When termites find it, they bring nestmates to feed on it too. This ingredient stops termites from molting. The colony breaks down from the inside out.
Unlike liquid barriers that wear off over time, Sentricon stations are checked by your technician during yearly visits. They look for new activity, swap out bait as needed, and check conditions around your property. For Arlington homeowners on our TriGuard with Sentricon Bundle (starting at $69/month), termite monitoring comes with your regular pest control. One bill, one schedule, and free callbacks if you spot anything between visits.
What Arlington Neighbors Are Saying
1,100+ 5 Star Reviews on Google "Daren did an outstanding job conducting my termite inspection today. He was right on time and extremely professional thorough throughout the entire process. I did not have any problems, and he was very good with some solid advice about how to continue to guard against not only termites but other rodents as well."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy. They are quick to point out any pest concerns and offer resolutions. Highly recommend!"
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years. Throughout those years they have been a pleasure to work with and they are always respectful each time they've been to my home. I would not hesitate to recommend them to others for their pest control needs."
"I have been a client of Better Termite & Pest Control for decades. Their service is always A+. Cindy has always been helpful with clear explanations and quick to follow up. Being my main contact Cindy gives me great confidence in the company."
"Better Termite & Pest Control has been providing us effective and reliable service for over 20 years. Darren is our current technician, and he is wonderful. We couldn't be more pleased. Based on our experience, we would highly recommend Better Termite to anyone looking for a termite and pest control provider."
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"They have been servicing my home since 1999. Their inspector always does a good job looking indoors and outdoors for termite activities."
"Been using BT & PC for our annual inspection for over 30 years. Great service, always call ahead and leave no trace behind"
"Daren did an outstanding job conducting my termite inspection today. He was right on time and extremely professional thorough throughout the entire process. I did not have any problems, and he was very good with some solid advice about how to continue to guard against not only termites but other rodents as well."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy. They are quick to point out any pest concerns and offer resolutions. Highly recommend!"
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years. Throughout those years they have been a pleasure to work with and they are always respectful each time they've been to my home. I would not hesitate to recommend them to others for their pest control needs."
"I have been a client of Better Termite & Pest Control for decades. Their service is always A+. Cindy has always been helpful with clear explanations and quick to follow up. Being my main contact Cindy gives me great confidence in the company."
"Better Termite & Pest Control has been providing us effective and reliable service for over 20 years. Darren is our current technician, and he is wonderful. We couldn't be more pleased. Based on our experience, we would highly recommend Better Termite to anyone looking for a termite and pest control provider."
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"They have been servicing my home since 1999. Their inspector always does a good job looking indoors and outdoors for termite activities."
"Been using BT & PC for our annual inspection for over 30 years. Great service, always call ahead and leave no trace behind"
Our Process
Expert Phone Consultation
Talk directly with a licensed technician. No phone trees. We'll ask about your Arlington home's age and construction, then give you a clear quote over the phone.
78-Point Home Inspection
A licensed technician checks your foundation, basement, crawlspace, and every entry point. We look for mud tubes, probe trim, and check moisture levels room by room.
Targeted Treatment
We install Sentricon bait stations, apply liquid barriers, or use borate-based wood treatments, whichever fits your home. Every product is vetted by our internal research team.
Year-Round Monitoring
Sentricon stations work 365 days a year, quietly killing colonies underground. Your yearly inspection catches new activity early, before damage adds up.
Serving Arlington & All of Northern Virginia
From Ashton Heights to Waverly Hills, termite protection for every neighborhood.