
Big, beautiful oak trees throughout the city are part of what makes Raleigh an enchanting and picturesque place to live. Unfortunately, this abundance of trees also makes the city a never-ending buffet for termites. The best way to combat these destructive invaders is to arm yourself with the knowledge of how to get rid of termites in Raleigh.
How to Get Rid of Termites in Raleigh
While the “City of Oaks” loves to welcome visitors and share its rich history and magnificent scenery with tourists, termites are not among the welcomed visitors. Luckily there are numerous treatments available for residents to evict these unwelcome guests.
Heat Treatment
This treatment uses heaters to heat the wood in the structure of your house to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 33 minutes, killing the termites burrowing deep into the crevices of your home.
A chemical-free treatment, heat is often used for spot treatments in a specific area like an attic. With its spot treatment capabilities, it tends to be the go-to treatment for apartments and condos since neighboring units are often unaffected.
One downfall is heating wood in contact with tile or concrete can be challenging to heat to a lethal level, meaning it’s not always 100% effective.
Pros
- Treatment is chemical-free
- Spot treatment available
- Less-time consuming than fumigation
Cons
- Heat damage to home objects is a possibility
- Heating the wood can be difficult
- May not always be effective
Bait Termiticide

This standard treatment invites termites to enter the bait station and consume the poisoned cellulose inside before returning to their nest to spread the poison to their colony.
Bait stations are hollow plastic cylinders pest control technicians place in the ground around the perimeter of your home. Not only does the station lure termites, but more and more, termites will be drawn to the bait as a colony-specific scent will have been left behind by previous termites. This ultimately tricks more termites into following the colony’s scent to the bait to consume it.
When using baits, remember your patience. The slow-acting nature of this method helps spread the poison, though ultimately, it may be months before termites begin to die off. More visits from your exterminator may also be required to monitor progress and replenish the bait stations, which can add to the overall cost of the treatment.
Pros
- Easily installed
- Not as invasive as liquids
- More environmentally friendly than liquids
Cons
- A slow process
- Expensive
- More monitoring required
Liquid Termiticide
This is the traditional and most used method for getting rid of termites. It’s available as both a repellent to keep termites from invading and as a non-repellant lethal chemical to exterminate existing invasions.
This method inserts liquid termiticide into holes around the perimeter of your property to get rid of or control any termites hanging out in your home. An unfortunate downside to this method is your exterminator may need to drill through a porch, patio, or an adjacent slab of concrete.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Readily available
Cons
- Possible drilling
- Invasive
Pro Tip: Termiticides are also available as dusts or foams.
Fumigation (Tenting)

The most extreme, expensive, and inconvenient option is fumigation, also commonly known as “tenting.” This is the go-to treatment for extreme infestations and is immensely effective. Fumigation not only kills all termite types but it will also rid your house of all pests, not just termites.
For this treatment, homeowners and their pets have to vacate the home for a few days. Then an airtight tent is placed over your home and gas fumigant is pumped inside and left for at least 24 hours. During this time, the fumigant seeps into every grain of wood, seeking and killing any termites that are hiding out.
Pros
- Extremely effective
- Does not discriminate: Kills all pests
Cons
- Slow process
- Pricey
- Residents have to leave for at least 24 hours
Note: Fumigation will kill all pests inside your home at the time of the treatment, but if you have subterranean termites, you will need to use a second method to extinguish their nest in the soil.
Non-Chemical Treatments
To protect their families, many people are continuing to seek out alternative, chemical-free methods. While there are a few options available, these treatments are only effective with drywood termites.
- Freeze: Liquid nitrogen is injected into the areas of your home impacted by termites to freeze them to death.
- Electrocute: Using high-frequency and high-voltage electrical currents, a machine called an Electro-Gun electrocutes the termites.
- Microwave: This treatment uses microwave technology to “cook” the termites living in your walls to death.
Pros
- Not necessary to vacate your home
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Spot treatments
Cons
- Not effective for every type of termite
- Not always available
- Not used for severe infestations
Signs of Termites in Raleigh
Termite Droppings

Resembling small piles of salt or pepper, small piles of pellet droppings are a clue you may have termites. These pellets are about 1 millimeter long or 0.0394 of an inch. Their droppings may be different colors depending on the type of wood the termites are consuming but are usually brown, black, or gray.
Pro tip: This is one of the few signs drywood termites may be attacking your home.
Damaged Wood
With termites living out of sight, it can be difficult to determine if you have an infestation or any damage caused by the pesky wood-eaters.
A tap test is one way to check if you may have termite damage. Tap on the wood to check if it sounds hollow. If it does sound hollow or you are unsure, contact a termite specialist for a full inspection to confirm if you have an infestation and the type of termite and damage.
Visible signs of damaged wood
- Pinpoint holes
- Crumbling wood
- Drooping drywall
- Blistering wood
- Discolored drywall
Termites are also known for leaving small pinpoint holes. They create these holes as an exit when they are ready to move on to a new area or food source. This is most commonly noticed with drywood termites because they kick their droppings out of these holes while other types of termites fill their exit holes.
Piles of Termite Wings

Reproductive termites leave their nest to mate and create new colonies of termites. More commonly known as swarmer termites, once they have found a mate, they land and discard their wings. Homeowners often find piles of discarded wings resembling fish scales near windowsills and doors.
Pro tip: All types of termites leave piles of wings.
Damaged Flooring
Most people realize wood flooring is naturally subject to becoming a food source should termites invade your home. So those with other types of flooring may think they’re in the clear. But unfortunately, that’s not the case.
It doesn’t matter the type of flooring you have, anyone with subflooring made from wood is at risk of flooring damaged by termites. In fact, termites love the soft wood most often used in subflooring and even prefer it to hardwood floors.
Signs of Termite Damage in Flooring
- Laminate flooring damage: Look out for what can appear as water damage. Termites can cause the laminate to blister and sag like it would with damage from a leak. They have also been known to chew through laminate, leaving behind small holes.
- Loose floor tiles: Floor tiles can loosen over time by weakened floor joists and moisture brought on by termites.
- Squeaky floors: That squeaky spot in your hallway may not be caused by age. It could be termites slowly eating your floors, causing them to creak and squeak as they rub against each other and the hardware.
- Weak floor joists: This essential part of your flooring structure can be weakened by termites, and the weight of furniture or appliances can even cause them to collapse.
Cracked, Peeling, or Bubbling Paint

When you see paint that cracks, peels, or bubbles, it often means you have a leak somewhere. However, if you have had this leak for a while, it could also mean you now have a termite problem along with your leak.
What to do if you see this: Inspect the wood closely, determine if the wood is soft, and locate any leaks. If you have determined there is no leak, contact a professional for an inspection.
Pro tip: Problems with paint are often caused by subterranean termites.
Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites use soil, wood, or other debris to construct tunnels known as mud tubes to help them travel between their food source and their colony.
These pencil-sized tubes are about 1/4 to 1 inch or larger in diameter. They also use these tunnels to protect themselves from predators as well as create the warm and moist environment they prefer.
Pro tip: Mud tubes are a common sign of subterranean termites.
Types of Termites in Raleigh
In the Raleigh area, residents are mostly dealing with subterranean termites, but every now and then drywood termites will choose to come out of the woodwork.
Subterranean Termites

One of the most destructive types of termites, the subterranean termite lives in the soil and therefore often goes unnoticed until there is significant damage. The Eastern and Formosan subterranean are two species commonly found wreaking havoc across Raleigh. Due to the nature of living underground, there are very few signs of these termites until you have a full infestation.
Subterranean termite physical characteristics:
- 1/8 to 1 inch long
- White to brown, black, or reddish
Drywood Termites
These termites make their home inside dry wood just as their name suggests. They typically create small nests and do not require direct contact with soil. One of the few signs you may have drywood termites is if you see piles of what appear to be salt or pepper. These small mounds are known as “frass” or termite droppings.
Drywood termite physical characteristics:
- 1/4 to 1 inch long
- Light brown to cream-white colored
Termite Caste System

There are three types of termites within each colony that all serve an important function in creating and maintaining a termite nest.
- Reproductive/swarmers: These are the parents of the nest.
- Soldier: The army of the nest, soldiers are tasked with the responsibility of defending the colony against predators.
- Worker: This group cares for the young, creates new tunnels, gathers food and water, and maintains the nest.
How to Prevent Termites

Your best defense against termites will always begin with prevention, and in order to prevent termites, you need to understand what attracts them to a specific place.
- Hire a pro to do a yearly termite inspection.
- Keep firewood stacks covered and at least 30 feet away from your home to prevent the firewood from rotting. It’s also recommended to use a metal holder to prevent a termite infestation in your firewood.
- Termites love moisture, so be sure to repair any water leaks or possible drainage issues ASAP.
- Never leave dead or decaying wood lying around your property. Always promptly remove diseased wood.
- Be sure all wood on your home is treated prior to it coming into contact with the soil.
- Keep your foundation free from moisture by using splash blocks or gutter extensions.
- All wood in your outdoor areas should be inspected regularly.
- Eliminate moisture in attics and crawl spaces with screened vents, or add a dehumidifier to control the humidity in these spaces.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?
Like most other pest control, the price you pay for termite treatment will depend on factors like termite type, treatment type, and infestation size.
North Carolina homeowners can expect labor and chemical costs to be on the higher side due to state termite treatment rules requiring drilling and treating concrete slabs like porches, patios, block foundation walls, and garages.
Homeowners can expect to pay between $275 and $863 for termite treatment nationwide. On the low end, people may see prices as low as $135, while on the high end, you may see prices as steep as $1,390. The average homeowner can expect a price tag of about $558 for termite treatment.
Treatment type
- Bait treatment: $7 to $11 per linear foot
- Chemical treatment (termiticides): $4 to $14.50 per linear foot
- Fumigation: $1 to $4 per square foot or $10 to $20 per linear foot
- Heat treatment: $1 and $2.50 per square foot or $10 per linear foot
FAQ About Termites in Raleigh
What Type of Termite is Most Common in North Carolina?
Subterranean termites are the termites found most often in residents’ homes across the state. Eastern subterranean termites are the most common species followed by the Formosan subterranean termite.
When is Termite Season in Raleigh?
Generally, the season runs from spring through the summer. However, termites can begin swarming in Raleigh as early as late winter and continue into September and October. Termites love warm, moist environments, making Raleigh a prime location for termite activity during these months. But don’t forget, while they are most active during these months, termites are active all year.
Is it Safe and Effective to DIY Termite Treatments?
It depends. Generally, when it comes to termites, it’s best to leave it to the professionals particularly after they have entered your home. Any active infestation inside your home should be treated by professionals.
However, if you have an infestation that has been determined to be contained outside your home and you have a confirmation of the type of termite, you can proceed with caution. Be sure you have fully educated yourself on the type of termite you are dealing with and the best treatments. And of course, call in a termite exterminator when in doubt.
It’s also okay to DIY if you do not have a current infestation and are only looking to keep the termites away. Again, be sure to fully educate yourself to accurately treat your property.
Ready to Give Your Termites Their Eviction Notice?
When you have decided enough is enough, connect with the best local termite exterminators to send any pesky invaders packing.
Main Image Credits:
Background: Mark Howard / Canva Pro / License
Termites: genphoto_art / Canva Pro / License