Termites don't announce themselves. They work quietly behind drywall and under baseboards, sometimes for years before anyone notices. Here in North Texas, subterranean termites are the ones we deal with most. Our clay soil swells and cracks as it goes from wet to dry, and that gives termites easy paths to your slab. The good news is that a trained set of eyes can catch them early. At Around the Block, the termite inspection is free.
Signs you might have termites
Swarmers in spring. Small winged insects pouring out of a wall, window sill or the ground on a warm day after rain, usually March through May. Piles of shed wings are another clue.
Mud tubes. Pencil-wide tunnels of dirt running up your foundation, piers or garage walls.
Hollow or soft wood. Baseboards or door frames that sound hollow, or paint that bubbles or looks water-damaged.
Doors and windows that suddenly stick.
Damage you find during a remodel or a repair.
How we treat termites
1. A free inspection. One of our trained technicians checks your foundation, garage, attic access and the outside of the house for activity and for conditions that draw termites, such as wood touching soil or moisture against the slab.
2. A treatment plan for your home. Termites don't come in through doors and gaps like most pests, so ordinary exclusion doesn't stop them. We recommend the right treatment for your property and explain it in plain language.
3. A renewable warranty. Our termite control comes with a one-year renewable warranty that includes inspections and re-treatments if we find a problem. You can renew it each year, and it can transfer to the buyer if you sell your home.
4. WDI reports. Buying or selling? Many lenders require a Wood-Destroying Insect report. We do the inspection, write the report and send it to the right parties.
What you can do at home
Keep mulch and soil a few inches below the top of your foundation, and keep firewood away from the house.
Fix leaky outdoor faucets, AC drain lines and gutters that dump water against the slab. Wet clay attracts termites.
Don't let wood trim, fences or trellises touch the soil.
Watch closely for swarmers in spring. If you catch one, save it in a zip bag for us to identify.
More reading from our blog:
Termite FAQ
Is the termite inspection really free? Yes. We provide free termite inspections for Texas homeowners.
I saw winged bugs. Are they termites or flying ants? Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick waist and wings of equal length. Flying ants have bent antennae and a pinched waist. If you're not sure, send us a photo or save one, and we'll tell you.
Do new homes get termites? Yes. Many new neighborhoods in McKinney, Prosper and Frisco are built on land where termite colonies already lived.
Do you provide termite reports for a home sale? Yes. We do WDI inspections and reports for buyers, sellers and lenders.
What does the warranty cover? It covers termite inspections and re-treatments for one year if we find a problem. You can renew it, and it can transfer if you sell your home.
How often should I get a termite inspection in North Texas?
Once a year is a good rule, and always before you buy or sell a home. Our one-year warranty can be renewed each year, which includes an annual inspection.
What are the signs of termites in a slab home?
Mud tubes on the foundation or inside the garage, swarmers or discarded wings near windows and doors in spring, and wood that sounds hollow or has bubbling paint.
Get your free estimate
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll take it from there. Request a free estimate, or call (469) 340-0200 (office: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · service: Mon–Sat 8am–6pm).
Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County