Can you ever really get rid of termites?

What are the first signs of termites?
What keeps them away?
And once you’ve had them, can you ever really get rid of them?

Termites are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They live in every state except Alaska and cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year — making them as destructive as they are difficult to treat.

What are the first signs of termites? What keeps them away? And once you’ve had them, can you ever really get rid of them?

Get up to speed with our quick homeowner termite guide.

What are the first signs of termites in a house?

The first signs of termites in a house are sometimes hard to spot. Here’s what you might find:

Warping walls. Deteriorating drywall can signal moisture that attracts termites.
Hollow frames. Door and window frames that sound empty when tapped or crumble easily can indicate possible termite damage.
Paint damage. Blistering, staining or peeling paint may be a sign of termite activity behind your walls.
Mud tubes. Pencil-thin dirt tubes running up from the soil are how termites travel through your home — if you see them, you’ve got termites.
Foundation cracks. Even credit card-thin gaps are big enough to let termites into your house — more cracks mean more entry points.

Keep in mind that a termite pro is going to spot these signs much quicker than your average home inspector — and they’re trained to see signs and clues others miss.

What keeps termites away from your home?

The key word in that question is keeps. The Sentricon^® system starts the termite colony elimination process the very first day it’s installed — and continues protecting your home even after the colony is eliminated.

How does it work? Simple:

The Sentricon system is installed around your home, making the bait immediately available to termites. Termites ingest the bait and share it with the entire colony.
Upon eating the bait, termites can no longer molt, which means they die.
Even after the termite colony is gone, your home is still protected. The Sentricon system remains in the ground to constantly safeguard against new threats.

Can I do termite prevention myself?

DIY termite removal isn’t a smart move. Here’s why:

Without a termite inspection from a pro, it can be almost impossible to spot all the places termites may be entering your home.
DIY treatments for termites can make follow-up professional treatments less effective.
DIY termite removal doesn’t give you continued protection — infestations can return.
Termites can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage — and effective treatment requires professional tools and expertise.
Termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance. You’re on the hook for the cost of repairs, so getting it right the first time is critical.