How To Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites

Dealing with subterranean termites on your own is challenging because these termites live underground, often hidden inside soil, wood, and wall voids, making them difficult to access. While our professional treatment are the most effective option to get rid of subterranean termites, there are some steps a home or business owner can take if they want to attempt do-it-yourself (DIY) control:

Identification

Before treating, make sure you are dealing with subterranean termites. Signs include:

Mud tubes along walls or foundations.
Hollow-sounding wood when tapped.
Wings shed near windows or doors.
Visible termite activity in infested wood.

Correct identification is critical because different termites require different treatments. Misidentification can lead to ineffective control.

Physical Measures

Remove moisture sources: Subterranean termites thrive in moist environments. Fix leaking pipes, improve drainage, and reduce water accumulation near the foundation.
Remove wood-to-soil contact: Keep firewood, mulch, and lumber at least 6–12 inches from the foundation. Termites can use direct contact to access your building.
Seal cracks and crevices: Small gaps around the foundation, windows, or doors can be sealed to reduce entry points.
Remove infested wood: Any heavily infested wood may need to be replaced or treated separately to limit colony growth.

DIY Chemical Treatments

There are a few categories of termite treatments available for homeowners:

Liquid Termiticides (Barrier Treatments)

These create a chemical barrier in the soil to kill or repel termites before they enter the structure.
Common active ingredients include fipronil or imidacloprid.
How to apply: Drill holes along the foundation perimeter and inject the liquid into the soil. This requires precise application to ensure a continuous barrier.
Limitations: It’s difficult to create a fully effective barrier without specialized equipment, and improper application can leave gaps for termites.

Baiting Systems

Termite baits contain slow-acting insecticides that workers carry back to the colony.
How to use: Place bait stations around the perimeter according to package instructions. Inspect and replace baits regularly.
Advantages: Can target the colony directly, less chemical use.
Limitations: It can take weeks or months to see results, and complete colony elimination is not guaranteed.

Direct Wood Treatments

Borate-based sprays or solutions can be applied to exposed wood to prevent infestation.
Limitations: Works best on untreated, exposed wood. Once termites are inside walls or deep in wood, surface treatments are often insufficient.

Monitoring

Even after treatment:

Inspect for new mud tubes or damaged wood every few months.
Keep moisture controlled and wood away from the soil.
Consider setting up DIY monitoring stations to track termite activity.

Safety Precautions

Always read and follow chemical label instructions.
Wear gloves, eye protection, and, if spraying, a respirator.
Avoid over-applying chemicals, which can be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment.

Why DIY Has Limitations

Subterranean termite colonies are large and hidden underground.
Soil treatments require precise coverage to be effective; missing even a few feet allows colonies to survive.
Baiting systems may not reach the queen if the colony is large or has multiple nests.
Structural damage can continue even during treatment.

DIY methods may suppress termites temporarily or slow the infestation, but complete eradication is unlikely without professional-grade equipment and experience. For lasting control and prevention of subterranean termites, our professional termite control is strongly recommended.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites

Our professional termite control is by far the most effective method for eliminating subterranean termites because of the unique biology of these termites, the complexity of their colonies, and the technical requirements of safe, thorough treatment. Here's why our professional termite control in the best way to get rid of subterranean termites:

Comprehensive Colony Eradication

Subterranean termites live underground in large colonies that can number hundreds of thousands of individuals. DIY treatments often only target visible activity, leaving the majority of the colony untouched.
Our professionals have access to colony-targeting methods, including liquid termiticides and advanced bait systems, which are designed to reach the queen and kill the entire colony. This is virtually impossible with standard consumer products.

Expertise in Detection and Identification

Our professionals can accurately identify termite species. Misidentifying termites can lead to using the wrong product or approach. For instance, treatment strategies for drywood termites and subterranean termites differ significantly.
We can locate hidden infestations, including tunnels in soil, wall voids, and crawlspaces. Many homeowners miss early warning signs, allowing colonies to grow undetected.

Safe and Effective Application of Termiticides

Subterranean termite treatments often involve injecting liquid termiticides into the soil or establishing a chemical barrier around the foundation.
Our professionals are trained to calculate precise dosages, coverage, and application depth, ensuring no gaps in protection while minimizing risks to people, pets, and the environment.
Incorrect DIY application can waste chemicals, fail to stop the colony, or create hazardous exposure.

Use of Advanced Monitoring and Baiting Systems

Our professional systems like Sentricon or other in-ground bait stations allow for ongoing monitoring and colony elimination.
Our technicians know optimal placement, inspection schedules, and bait replacement techniques to maximize colony control. DIY placement often misses critical areas, reducing effectiveness.

Preventive Measures and Long-Term Protection

Beyond eliminating current infestations, our professionals can implement preventive strategies such as:

Moisture control and proper grading around the foundation.
Installation of physical or chemical barriers during construction or renovation.
Regular inspection schedules to catch new activity early.

Cost Efficiency Over Time

While DIY treatment may seem cheaper upfront, incomplete eradication leads to recurring damage, higher repair costs, and repeated attempts at control.
Our professional treatments may have a higher initial cost but prevents structural damage, preserves property value, and ensures long-term peace of mind.

Warranties and Accountability

Our professional termite control services come with a re-treatment warranty. If termites return in between regularly scheduled services, so do we!.
DIY methods carry no such assurance, leaving homeowners to continually monitor and treat without our professional support.

Subterranean termites are highly organized, hidden, and destructive. Our professional termite control is the absolute best method because we combine expertise, precision application, advanced treatment technology, and long-term monitoring—ensuring not just temporary suppression, but complete colony elimination and protection against future infestations.

Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!