In the land of the free, even termites have the freedom to choose where to take up residence. But when they choose to move into your home, equipping yourself with the knowledge of how to get rid of termites in Washington, D.C. is your best defense against these invaders.
How to Get Rid of Termites in Washington, D.C.
Patriotic termites are often drawn to the Washington, D.C. area for more than just national pride. The close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and hot summers will naturally draw out termites of all kinds.
While the American pride is appreciated, homeowners don’t tend to like it when these wood-eating insects turn residents’ homes into a 5-star restaurant. Luckily, there are numerous treatments available for area residents to turn to when they need to rid their home of termites.
Liquid Termiticide
This go-to treatment is available both as a repellent to keep termites away and as a non-repellant lethal chemical to kill existing termites.
Considered the traditional method for termite extermination, liquid termiticide is injected into the ground through holes or applied in trenches around the perimeter of your home. One downside to this method is that it could mean your pest control company may have to drill through a porch, patio, or adjacent concrete around your property.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Easily acquired
Cons
- Invasive
- Drilling may be required
Note: Termiticides also come in dusts and foams.
Bait Termiticide
The bait option works just as it sounds. You lure termites to an underground bait station where they will consume the slow-acting poison before returning to their nest to spread the poison.
If you are looking for a quick fix, this is not the option for you. This is a very slow process. It can take months for the termites to find the bait let alone the insecticide to begin to take effect. A bait treatment can also be quite costly as a professional will need to come out and monitor the activity more often than other treatments.
Pros
- Less invasive than liquid
- Easier placement
- More environmentally friendly than liquid termiticides
- No risk of water contamination
Cons
- Costly
- More monitoring required
- A slow-acting option
Heat Treatment
This chemical-free alternative to traditional termite treatments uses heaters to heat the wood to the point that it will kill the termites. Technicians heat the structure of your home to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 33 minutes.
Heat is a great option if your infestation is contained in one area of your home as it works best as a spot treatment. While this is an eco-friendly option, it’s not always 100% effective. It can be difficult for wood against tile or concrete to reach deadly levels of heat.
Pros
- Less-time consuming
- Chemical-free treatment
- Offers area, spot, or whole-area treatment
Cons
- May be difficult to heat the wood
- Heat damage to home objects (This can be avoided with proper preparation.)
- Not always effective
Note: Heat can be used as a chemical-free, whole-area treatment option, but due to its limitations, heat is best when used for smaller areas or spot treatments.
Fumigation (Tenting)
The most widely feared of all treatments, and for a good reason, fumigation is generally saved for extreme or mass infestations. Often referred to as “tenting,” fumigation requires you to leave your home during the treatment that usually takes a few days to complete.
The termite company will place an airtight tent over your home, pump a gas fumigant into it, and leave it for at least 24 hours. During this time, the gas will penetrate every area of your home where any termites or other pests could be hiding.
Fumigation is highly effective for getting rid of all types of termites currently chomping on your home. Bonus: Fumigation doesn’t discriminate. It will kill any and all pests in its path, not just termites.
Pros
- Very effective treatment
- Kills all pests
Cons
- Extended process
- Expensive
- Requires families to leave for at least 24 hours
Note: Keep in mind that fumigation is a treatment for your home only. Subterranean termites require you to use another method to treat the termites living in the soil.
Non-Chemical Spot Treatments
There are a few options available for those in need of a non-toxic spot treatment. Note: These treatments are effective only with drywood termites.
Freeze: This method uses liquid nitrogen and injects it into the infected areas to freeze the termites to death.
Microwave: Technicians use the same technology as a microwave oven to “cook” the termites to death in three minutes or less.
Electrocute: This option uses a machine called an Electro-Gun to combine high-frequency and high-voltage electrical currents to electrocute the termites.
Pros
- Non-Chemical
- No need to vacate for a few days
- Best for localized or spot treatment
Cons
- Only effective for certain types of termites
- Not as widely available as other treatments
- Not recommended for severe infestations affecting the whole structure
Signs of Termites
With termites living in the walls or underground, it can often be hard to detect termites until you have a significant infestation on your hands. But if you know the signs to look for, you just might be able to catch the little wood-eaters before they devour too much of your home.
Mud Tubes
Tunnels created by subterranean termites serve as a bridge between their colony and food source (your home). These mud tubes not only protect the termites from predators but also create a warm and moist environment that is optimal for them.
Typically created using tiny pieces of soil, wood, or other debris, these tubes are about the same size as a pencil, about 1/4 to 1 inch or larger in diameter.
Pro tip: Mud tubes are a sign of subterranean termites.
Termite Droppings
Termite droppings are small pellets about 1 millimeter long or 0.0394 of an inch. These pellets are often found in small mounds that look like salt and pepper. Termite droppings can vary in color depending on the type of wood the termites are consuming but are typically black, brown, or gray.
Pro tip: Termite droppings are one of the few signs you may have drywood termites.
Piles of Termite Wings
After pairing up to mate, swarmer termites discard their wings once they land where they have decided to create a new nest. Also known as reproductive termites, they will leave piles of these wings that resemble fish scales near windowsills and doors.
Pro tip: Piles of termite wings are a common sign of all termites.
Cracked, Bubbling, or Peeling Paint
Generally cracked, bubbling, or peeling paint means you have a leak somewhere. However, if you let the leak go unresolved, you could wind up with a termite problem on top of your original leak.
Termites are naturally drawn to moisture, so it’s important to fix any leaks ASAP to keep from attracting termites. What to do if you see this: Check if the wood is soft and for any possible leaks. After you rule out leaks as the problem, contact a professional for an inspection.
Pro tip: Subterranean termites are the termites most likely to cause problems with paint on your walls.
Damaged Wood
With termites slowly munching on your home from the inside out, it can often be hard to find visible signs of their occupancy and damage.
If you suspect you might have termites, conduct a tap test. Tap on the wood you suspect may be inhabited by termites. If it sounds hollow, you may have a termite infestation. Contact a termite specialist for a full inspection to determine if you have an infestation and the extent of damage.
Visible signs of damaged wood
- Crumbling wood
- Blistering wood
- Pinpoint holes
- Discolored drywall
- Drooping drywall
Small pinpoint holes in your wood are another sign you might have termites. These termite holes are created when they make a way to exit a wall they have finished devouring and are ready to move on. Drywood termites also use these holes to kick out droppings.
Pro tip: Holes are common with drywood termites. Other types of termites fill their exit holes.
Damaged Flooring
If you have wood flooring, it seems obvious that damaged flooring is a sign of a termite infestation. But what isn’t so obvious is that termites can create havoc with carpeting, tile, and laminate flooring as well as wood.
Termites love softer woods often used in subflooring, leaving all parts of flooring open for potential termite damage. Even if you do have hardwood floors, termites are more likely to go to town on your subflooring before eventually moving on to your hardwood floors.
Signs of Termite Damage in Flooring
- Squeaky floors: Boards are weakened when termites are slowly chewing your floors, making them creak and squeak when they rub against each other or hardware like nails or screws.
- Weak floor joists: A crucial part of the flooring structure, weakened floor joists can collapse under the weight of furniture and appliances.
- Loose floor tiles: Moisture caused by termites and floor joists weakened by termites can loosen floor tiles.
- Laminate flooring damage: Termite damage on laminate flooring often looks like water damage. Floors will blister and sag, or termites will even chew through the laminate creating small holes.
Types of Termites in Washington, D.C.
Residents of Washington, D.C. mostly have to battle with the subterranean termite, but it’s not unheard of for a drywood termite to make an appearance in the D.C. area.
Subterranean
The subterranean is the termite residents battle with the most in the Washington, D.C. area. These termites live in the soil and are the most destructive of all types of termites. Because of the unseen nature of subterranean termites, most homeowners will not know there is an infestation until it becomes a serious problem.
Subterranean termite physical characteristics:
- ⅛ to 1 inch long
- White to black, brown, or reddish
Drywood
As their name suggests, these termites inhabit dry wood and do not require contact with soil. They tend to nest in small colonies, allowing multiple colonies to infest the same structure. One of the main ways to tell if you have drywood termites is if you see small piles of termite droppings that can look like small mounds of salt or pepper.
While drywood termites are not established in the D.C. area, they can hitch rides in furniture, taking them far beyond their natural habitats. Be sure to have a professional inspector evaluate your home and any infestations to verify the type of termite that has invaded your property.
Drywood termite physical characteristics:
- ¼ to 1 inch long
- Cream-white to light brown colored
Termite Caste System
There are three types of termites within each colony that all serve an important function in creating and maintaining the colony.
- Soldier: These termites are tasked with the responsibility of defending the colony against predators.
- Worker: This is the main caste that gathers food and water, cares for the young, creates new tunnels, and cleans, maintains, and repairs the nest.
- Reproductive/Swarmers: These are the parents of the colony, including the termite queen and king.
How to Prevent Termites
The key to preventing a termite infestation in your home is knowing what draws termites to a particular place so you can make sure to keep your property clear of any such termite temptations.
- Hire a pro for an annual termite inspection.
- Get rid of all dead or decaying wood promptly. Termites naturally seek out rotting wood.
- Never store stacks of firewood near your home, and keep it several inches from the ground. Also, keep it covered so it doesn’t get wet or rot.
- Promptly repair water leaks and drainage problems.
- All wood needs to be treated before it touches the soil.
- Inspect wood regularly in all your outdoor areas.
- Be sure attics and crawl spaces have screened vents to help eliminate moisture. Installing dehumidifiers is another option.
- Minimize the buildup of moisture near your foundation by cleaning gutters regularly and adding splash blocks or downspout extensions to direct water away from your home.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?
There are a few different things that contribute to the cost of termite treatment. Naturally, the termite type, infestation size, and treatment type will all play a role in the final cost.
Most people see treatment costs between $275 to $863. Some might find treatment for as low as $135 while on the other end of the scale, the termite treatment can go as high as $1,390. The typical homeowner can expect to pay about $558 for termite treatment.
Treatment type
- Chemical treatment: $4 to $14.50 per linear foot
- Heat tenting: $1 and $2.50 per square foot or $10 per linear foot
- Fumigation Tenting: $1 to $4 per square foot or $10 to $20 per linear foot
- Bait treatment: $7 to $11 per linear foot
FAQ About Termites in Washington, D.C.
What is the Most Common Type of Termite in Washington, D.C.?
The most common termite in the D.C. area is the eastern subterranean followed by the eastern drywood termite.
Which Termiticide Works Best?
There are numerous effective termite treatments on the market. One does not necessarily do better than another. Ultimately, it is best to contact a professional exterminator to evaluate the kind of termites inhabiting your home and offer their treatment suggestions.
Can You Have More Than One Type of Termite?
Yes, multiple types of termites can be devouring your home at the same time. Always contact a professional termite inspector to determine the type or types of termites in your home.
Time to Get Rid of Your Termites For Good?
If you are ready to call a termite specialist to come inspect and treat your home, connect with the best local termite control experts who will have any termites in your home scurrying far away.
Main Image Credits:
Background: Sagittarius Pro / Canva Pro / License
Termites: AnuchaCheechang / Canva Pro / License
