Termite Inspection and Treatment in Houston, TX

Termites don't knock. They move in quietly and start eating the wood that holds your house up, and most folks don't notice until there's real damage. Around here the ground stays warm and the humidity is high, which is exactly what subterranean termites love. That's why termite treatment in Houston, TX is something we get called about all year, not just in spring.

At Berts Bugs Pest Control, we live and work in this area, so we know the local homes and the bugs that go after them. Here's what you should know before you pick up the phone.

How to tell if you've got termites

Termites are sneaky, but they leave signs. The trick is knowing what to look for before the problem gets expensive.

• Mud tubes. Pencil-width dirt tunnels running up your foundation, piers, or slab. Subterranean termites build these to travel between the soil and your wood.
• Swarmers and wings. In spring, especially after a warm rain, you might see winged termites near windows or lights. Piles of discarded wings on a windowsill are a big tell.
• Hollow-sounding wood. Tap a baseboard or door frame. If it sounds papery or hollow, termites may have eaten it from the inside.
• Buckling paint or sagging floors. Moisture and damage from feeding can warp trim and flooring.
• Tiny piles of what looks like sawdust or pellets. That's a sign of drywood termites, which are less common here but do show up.

If any of that sounds familiar, don't wait. Termites work fast, and a small colony becomes a big repair bill quicker than you'd think.

What happens during a termite inspection

Our inspection is a walk-through of your home, inside and out, done by someone who knows where termites hide. Here's the general order of things:

1. We check the exterior first, looking at the foundation, crawl space or slab edges, and any wood-to-ground contact like fence posts or deck footings.
2. Inside, we go through likely trouble spots: baseboards, window and door frames, bathrooms, the attic, and anywhere plumbing meets wood.
3. We probe suspect wood and look for mud tubes, live termites, and old damage.
4. Then we sit down and tell you what we found, plain and simple, including whether the infestation is active or just old evidence.

You'll get an honest answer either way. If you don't have termites, we'll say so. If you do, we'll walk you through your options and the cost before we start any work.

Treatment options for an active infestation

There's no single fix for every home, so we match the treatment to what you've actually got.

Liquid soil treatment

We apply a termiticide barrier in the soil around and under your foundation. Termites that try to cross it carry it back to the colony, which knocks out the whole nest over time. This is a common, dependable approach for subterranean termites.

Bait systems

Bait stations go in the ground around your home. Termites feed on the bait, share it with the colony, and the population collapses. Baiting is a good choice when drilling isn't practical or you'd rather avoid a full liquid treatment.

Spot and wood treatments

For localized drywood problems or accessible damaged wood, we can treat specific areas directly.

After treatment, we'll talk about monitoring so a new colony doesn't move in later. Termites are persistent, and the ground here doesn't stop being inviting.

Ready when you are

If you've spotted mud tubes, swarmers, or soft wood, get it checked. Learn more about our team or see what your neighbors say on our reviews page, then give Berts Bugs Pest Control a call.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I get a termite inspection?

For most Houston-area homes, once a year is a good rule because our warm, humid climate keeps termites active. If you've had termites before or live near heavy tree cover, you may want to check more often.

Can I treat termites myself?

Store-bought sprays might kill the few termites you see, but they won't reach the colony living underground or inside walls. Real treatment needs the right products applied where the colony actually is, which is why professional treatment works and DIY usually doesn't.

How long does termite treatment take to work?

A liquid barrier starts protecting right away, and the colony typically dies off over a few weeks as termites carry the product back to the nest. Bait systems can take a bit longer since the termites have to find and feed on the stations first.

Will termites come back after treatment?

They can, because the soil conditions that attracted them the first time don't change. That's why we recommend ongoing monitoring after treatment to catch any new activity early.

Do you offer inspections if I'm buying or selling a home?

Yes. We can inspect a property and give you a clear report on whether there's active termite activity or past damage, which is useful during a real estate transaction.