Termite control in Houston, TX
Houston homes face three kinds of termites: native subterranean termites, Formosan subterranean termites and drywood termites. Each one needs a different treatment, so the first step is a free inspection that tells you which one you have and how far it has gone. CPL Pest Control LLC (TPCL 0567655) inspects and treats termites across Greater Houston.
Seeing termites or swarmers in Houston? Call or text Chris at 281-683-6737 for a free inspection.
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Which termites live in Houston?
- Formosan subterranean termites. Texas A&M Urban Entomology lists them as established in the Houston-Galveston area. AgriLife Extension publication E-367, Formosan Subterranean Termites, describes swarms at night from about early May into June, with swarmers drawn to lights. They can build carton nests inside walls and also attack live trees.
- Native (eastern) subterranean termites. These live in the soil and travel up into the house through mud tubes. They swarm in spring, often after rain.
- Drywood termites. These live entirely inside the wood they eat and need no contact with soil. A Texas A&M survey collected the West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis) in Galveston, Houston, Pasadena and Texas City. Texas A&M also names the light southeastern drywood termite as the most common drywood species in Texas, concentrated on the Gulf Coast.
How do I know if I have subterranean termites?
Look for mud tubes, pencil-width tunnels of soil running up the slab or foundation wall. Subterranean and Formosan termites start in the soil and keep going back to it for moisture, so the tubes are their highway into the house. Sometimes there is nothing to see outside. In Chris’s experience, a tube that once ran up the outside can be gone while termites keep using a path through a slab crack or inside the wall. That’s why we tell homeowners to keep a few inches of slab visible and not bury it under mulch or soil.
Other signs: piles of shed wings near windows and doors, wood that sounds hollow, and bubbling paint or soft baseboards.
Not sure what you found? Save a few insects or wings in a bag. Book your free 58-point pest survey or call 281-683-6737.
How do I know if I have drywood termites?
Drywood termites push their droppings, called frass, out of small holes in the wood. Frass looks like tiny grains of sand or pepper. It can also collect inside a wall for a long time and only show up once the pile gets big enough to spill out under the baseboard. Small piles on a windowsill, in the attic or under furniture are the clue.
Do Houston Heights homes get drywood termites?
They do. Heights renovations often reuse older lumber to keep a home’s historic character, and drywood termites can come in with that wood. The first sign is often sand-like frass that spills out from behind baseboards after building up inside the wall. Many of these colonies are small enough to spot-treat instead of tenting the whole house. See drywood termite treatment in the Heights.
Do I need to tent my house for drywood termites?
Not always. Tent fumigation is right for some homes, but many drywood colonies are small and can be handled with a localized spot treatment. We inspect first and explain the options. One customer put it this way:
“After finding evidence of drywood termites in my house, the first pest control company I called immediately said ‘you need to tent your house’, without asking any further questions. … He is clearly very knowledgeable about drywood termites, and explained that while tenting your house is an option that is appropriate in some cases, many drywood termite colonies are quite small and can be dealt with with a localized treatment.” (Matt Ross, Google review)
For the full drywood guide, see how to get rid of drywood termites in Houston.
When do termites swarm in Houston?
Termite swarms in the Houston area run roughly March through June. Native subterranean termites usually swarm in the daytime in spring, and Formosan termites swarm at night in May and June, flying toward porch lights and lit windows (AgriLife E-367). Swarmers inside the house usually mean a colony is close by, so call for an inspection rather than just vacuuming them up.
How do you treat subterranean and Formosan termites?
After the inspection, we usually treat the soil around and under the structure with a liquid termiticide to create a treated zone that termites have to cross to reach the house. Where termites are already inside, we treat the active areas too. Products are EPA-registered and applied by licensed, insured technicians according to label directions. Your report covers what we found, what we treated and what to watch for.
“We had early signs of a termite infestation and Chris came out and treated the affected areas in one day and they are completely gone.” (Dana McDonald, Google review)
What about new construction: soil treatment or stud treatment?
Builders have two main pre-construction options.
| Pre-slab soil treatment | Stud (framing) treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Liquid termiticide applied to the soil before the slab is poured | Borate-based product applied to the wood framing |
| Targets | Subterranean and Formosan termites coming up from the soil | Wood-feeding termites, including drywood, that reach the framing |
| Limits | Doesn’t treat the wood itself | Doesn’t treat the soil |
Many builders use both. See pre-construction termite treatment in Houston.
Do I need a termite inspection to buy or sell a home?
Lenders and buyers often ask for a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) report. See our termite reports (WDI) page.
What do Houston customers say?
“I used CPL last year for a termite problem. They did a great job protecting my house and keeping me informed! This year, I saw some termites in my yard. Chris inspected and assessed that they were not getting into the house. He sprayed that area to get rid of them and then sprayed my trees again just as a precaution.” (Jessica Huggins, Google review)
“Had this company take care of pest in and out of my home. … they identified another issue I had. A TREE FULL OF TERMITES. didnt even know and they identified the problem before the termites did any real damage to my home.” (Fernando Ramirez, Google review)
Is there a guarantee?
Ask us about our service guarantee.
Houston termite FAQ
Are Formosan termites really in Houston?
Yes. Texas A&M lists them as established in the Houston-Galveston area. They swarm at night in May and June.
Termite or flying ant?
Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist and two pairs of wings the same length. Ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings longer than the back ones.
Do I need to tent for drywood termites?
Not always. In the Heights and across Houston, many small colonies can be spot-treated. We’ll tell you which applies after a free inspection.
How much does termite treatment cost?
It depends on the termite type, the size of the home and how far the damage has spread, so we price it after the free inspection. Call 281-683-6737.
Do you treat termites in Houston suburbs?
Yes. See our pages for Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Atascocita, Galveston, Bellaire, West University Place, Willis and Conroe.
Get a free termite inspection in Houston
Call or text Chris at 281-683-6737.
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Written by Christopher Villarreal, owner of CPL Pest Control LLC (TPCL 0567655). Chris has more than 20 years in pest control. Fully licensed and insured.
