Termite Control in Oregon and Washington
Don't Let Termites Take a Bite Out of Your Property
Termite control starts with knowing which termite you have, because the species decides the fix. Subterranean termites live in the soil and are treated around and beneath the foundation. Dampwood termites need wet wood, so the answer is usually repairing the moisture problem and replacing the wood. A&A inspects the structure first, then recommends the treatment that fits.
Contact our amazing team today and protect your property.
How do you control termites?
Subterranean termites nest in the soil and travel to the wood in your building, so treating the wood alone does not reach the colony. Washington State University notes there are no reliable non-chemical prevention techniques for them, and once they are established, chemical control is usually the only option. The steps below are how an A&A technician approaches it:
Step 1 of 5 shown
-
Inspection and site assessment
Your technician looks for active termites and likely problem areas, finds where wood touches soil, and checks for moisture and other conditions that may be drawing termites to the property.
-
Identify the termite and match the treatment
Subterranean and dampwood termites are handled differently. Dampwood termites only infest wood that stays wet, so repairing the leak and replacing the damaged wood is often the answer. Subterranean termites call for treatment at the soil.
-
Soil treatment around the foundation
For subterranean termites, a treatment goes into the soil where it meets the foundation, by trenching or soil injection, depending on your landscaping, soil type and foundation. The product is transferable, so termites that contact it carry it back toward the colony.
-
Slabs, wall voids and infested wood
Where a concrete slab meets the foundation, small holes are drilled so the treatment can reach the soil beneath, then sealed and patched. Color matching is not provided. If termites are active inside, treatment may go directly into infested wood or wall voids.
-
Baiting and ongoing monitoring
A&A also offers the TRELONA Advance bait system. Stations placed around the property hold a slow-acting bait with novaluron, an insect growth regulator that disrupts molting, and regular inspections keep the stations monitored. Termite services carry extended warranty options.
How much damage can termites cause?
Termites feed on wood, paper, cardboard and other cellulose, and subterranean termites commonly attack sound wood in homes. Because they work inside the wood and out of sight, damage is often found before the insects are. Both the subterranean and the dampwood termite are native to the Northwest, so this is a local problem and not something that only happens in warmer states.
-
Subterranean termites commonly attack sound wood, not just rotted wood.
-
The first sign is often mud tubes, damaged wood or a swarm, not the termites themselves.
-
Infestations of subterranean termites rarely go away on their own.
-
Dampwood termites need wet or decaying wood, so they point to a moisture problem.
-
Wood decay fungus is often found alongside dampwood termites.
Get Rid Of Those Pesky Pests
Want to know what A&A Pest Control can do for your home or business? Fill out the contact form and our office team follows up with pricing, service timelines, and scheduling. Contact us by noon and we will have a technician onsite the next business day. Prefer to talk it through? Give us a call.
Thank You For Being Awesome
Your request is in, and it's with our office team. We'll follow up by phone, text, or email during business hours to confirm the details and get you scheduled. In a hurry? Call (503) 567-1188 in Oregon or (360) 209-1793 in Washington before noon, and we'll have a technician onsite the next business day.
Which termites live in Oregon and Washington?
Two native species are found here: the western subterranean termite and the Pacific dampwood termite. The Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook says subterranean termites are more prevalent east of the Cascades and dampwood termites are more common in western Oregon and Washington, so what we find depends on where the property sits.
Winged termites are easy to mistake for flying ants, and the two need different treatment, so a quick check of the details below is worth making before you act.
-
Subterranean termites
Western subterranean termites nest in the soil and reach wood through tunnels, sometimes building mud shelter tubes over concrete foundations. Workers are creamy white, about the size of a grain of rice. Winged reproductives are dark brown to black, about 3/8 inch long, and may swarm any time of year.
-
Dampwood termites
Pacific dampwood termites are the largest local species. Workers are about 1/2 inch, and winged reproductives can reach about an inch. They infest wet or decaying wood and do not nest in dry, sound wood. They usually swarm in late summer or fall, especially after rain.
-
Drywood termites
Drywood termites are uncommon in Oregon, and the handbook says they have not become established in the region. They turn up in furniture or lumber brought in from southern states and live inside dry wood. Their sign is tiny piles of droppings, called frass, so frass is worth a photo and a call.
-
Swarming termites or flying ants?
Termites have a broad waist, straight antennae and four wings of about equal size. Flying ants have a narrow waist, elbowed antennae and front wings larger than the hind pair. Catch a few and check, or send us a photo, and we can often help identify them before service.
Termite prevention tips
Termites need wood, and dampwood termites need it wet. These five steps reduce what draws them to a building:
-
Keep wood off the soil
Wood-to-soil contact gives termites a way into the structure. Keep wooden steps, posts and trim elevated and sealed, and remove form wood left in the soil near the foundation.
-
Manage moisture
Direct gutters and downspouts away from the foundation, and repair leaking pipes, faucets, roofs and irrigation. Check the grade on porches and patios so water drains away from the building.
-
Move firewood and debris
Stack firewood, lumber and wood scraps away from the building, and keep stored wood dry.
-
Ventilate crawlspaces
Keep crawlspace vents clear and a vapor barrier in place, since damp wood under the house is where dampwood termites start.
-
Check for signs and call early
Look along foundation walls for mud tubes, and inspect wood near crawlspaces and basements for damage. Subterranean termites rarely go away on their own.
FAQs
How can I tell termites from carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants nest in wood but do not eat it, and they leave sawdust-like frass near their nest. Termites feed on the wood itself, and subterranean termites build mud tubes from the soil to reach it. Winged forms differ too: termites have a broad waist and equal wings. If you are unsure, an inspection will settle it.
Do dampwood termites need treatment?
Often the fix for dampwood termites is repair, not a soil treatment. They only infest wood that stays wet, so fixing the leak or drainage problem and replacing the damaged wood usually deals with them. An inspection confirms which termite you have and whether the damage is limited to wet wood.
Can I get rid of termites without chemicals?
For dampwood termites, yes in many cases, because the work is moisture repair and wood replacement. For subterranean termites, Washington State University says there are no reliable non-chemical prevention techniques and chemical control is usually the only option once they are established. The Northwest handbook also reports that nematodes have failed in the field.
How much does termite control cost?
It depends on the size of the property and the extent of the problem, and pricing stays transparent with no hidden fees. For homes, our office team provides free estimates over the phone. We provide a complimentary site inspection for any multi-family or commercial property seeking a bid on recurring services.
How fast can a technician get here?
Next business day: contact us by noon, and we will schedule a technician to be onsite the next business day. Early treatment keeps the job smaller, so call as soon as you notice a problem.
Does A&A offer recurring pest control plans?
Yes, we offer recurring pest control programs designed to provide year-round protection against common Northwest pests. Service frequency is customized based on your property, pest pressures, and individual needs, with options ranging from monthly to quarterly visits. Recurring service helps prevent problems before they become infestations while providing ongoing peace of mind.
Prefer to talk it through?
Call Oregon (503) 567-1188 or Washington (360) 209-1793, or contact our amazing team today. Contact us by noon and we will have a technician onsite the next business day.
