Termite Control

We inspect for and treat eastern subterranean termites — lower pressure in CNY than the South, but a serious structural risk when present.

Termite pressure is lower in Central New York than in the South, but eastern subterranean termites do occur here — and where they're active, the hidden structural damage is serious. They live in soil, build mud tubes to reach wood, and eat it from the inside out.

We inspect for and treat subterranean termites with appropriate methods, and because termites are often confused with the far more common carpenter ant, we identify which you actually have. This service also feeds our WDI inspections for home closings.

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Termites in Central New York: lower pressure, real risk

Termite pressure in the Finger Lakes is lower than in the South, but eastern subterranean termites do occur in Central New York, and where they're active they cause serious, hidden structural damage. They live in the soil and build mud tubes to reach wood, eating it from the inside out, so an infestation can progress for a long time before it's obvious. That combination — real but uncommon — means termites are worth checking for, especially during a home purchase, without the alarmism common in high-pressure regions.

Because termites are frequently confused with carpenter ants here (which are far more common), correct identification matters. Termites eat wood and leave mud tubes and hollowed, soil-flecked galleries; carpenter ants excavate clean galleries and leave sawdust-like frass. We identify which you have, treat subterranean termites with appropriate soil and baiting methods, and provide the WDI inspection that real-estate transactions require.

Signs of termites

Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or crawlspace surfaces.
Wood that sounds hollow or crumbles, with soil-flecked galleries inside.
Discarded wings near windows or light sources after a spring swarm.
Swarming insects in spring (termite swarmers vs. winged ants — we can tell them apart).
Damage discovered during a renovation or home inspection.

How we treat it

1
Inspection & identification
We confirm termites (vs. carpenter ants) and determine the extent of activity and damage.
2
Treatment
We treat subterranean termites with appropriate soil-treatment and/or baiting methods for the situation.
3
Conducive-condition guidance
We point out the moisture and wood-to-soil contact that support termite activity.
4
Documentation
For real-estate needs, we document findings on the NPMA-33 WDI form.
5
Follow-up/monitoring
We monitor to confirm the colony is controlled, since subterranean termites work out of sight.

What to expect

Correct identification comes first — most 'termite' calls in CNY turn out to be carpenter ants.
Treatment targets the soil-dwelling colony, not just the wood you can see.
For home purchases, we provide the NPMA-33 documentation lenders require.
We give honest local context rather than high-pressure regional alarmism.

Seasonality in Central NY

Spring: termite swarms are most likely, the season you're most apt to see evidence.
Summer and fall: activity continues underground and within wood, out of sight.
Winter: activity slows but doesn't stop in heated structures; evidence-based inspection still applies.

What it costs

Termite treatment is priced by the size of the structure and the treatment method required. Because CNY pressure is lower, we assess honestly rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.

WDI inspections for real-estate transactions are a separate flat service; if an inspection finds activity, we quote treatment transparently.

How to prevent it

Eliminate wood-to-soil contact around the foundation, deck, and porch.
Keep firewood and mulch away from the structure.
Correct moisture problems and ensure good drainage away from the foundation.
Have a WDI inspection when buying an older or wood-framed home.

Spotting subterranean termites — and telling them from ants

The termite of concern in New York is the eastern subterranean termite, and its signs are specific. The clearest is mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels of soil the termites build up foundation walls, piers, and sill areas to travel between the ground and the wood while staying protected. Other signs include wood that sounds hollow when tapped or crumbles to reveal soil-lined galleries, and, in spring, swarms of winged reproductives (or piles of discarded, equal-length wings) near windows and light sources.

The most important identification is termite swarmers versus carpenter ant swarmers, because both appear in spring and are easy to confuse. Termites have straight (bead-like) antennae, a broad waist with no pinch, and two pairs of wings of equal length; ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings longer than the back. Termites also consume the wood (leaving soil-lined galleries), whereas carpenter ants only excavate it (leaving clean galleries and frass). Getting this right determines the entire treatment approach.

Termite pressure in Central New York

Central New York sits toward the cooler end of subterranean termite range, so termite pressure here is genuinely lower and spottier than in the South or the Mid-Atlantic — but 'lower' is not 'none.' Eastern subterranean termites are present in New York, and localized infestations do occur, particularly in and around older structures, in warmer microclimates, and where wood is in contact with soil or persistently damp. Homeowners shouldn't panic about termites here, but they also shouldn't assume immunity.

Because termites are less top-of-mind locally than carpenter ants, they're sometimes overlooked until damage is found — which is part of why WDI inspections at the time of a home sale matter. Conditions that raise risk are the familiar ones: wood-to-soil contact, mulch or soil piled against siding, poor drainage, and chronic moisture around the foundation. Where those conditions exist, the possibility of subterranean termites is worth taking seriously.

Silent structural damage

Termites pose no direct health risk to people — the entire concern is structural, and it's serious precisely because it's silent. Subterranean termites consume wood from the inside out, often leaving a thin intact surface while hollowing the interior, so an active infestation can progress for a long time behind finished walls and beneath floors before any visible sign appears. Left unchecked, that can mean significant, costly damage to structural framing.

The insidious part is the lag between infestation and discovery. Unlike a leak or a visible pest, termite activity gives few day-to-day cues, which is why mud tubes, a spring swarm, or a WDI inspection are so valuable as early warnings. Catching subterranean termites early — and correcting the moisture and wood-to-soil conditions that support them — is dramatically cheaper than repairing structural damage discovered years later.

Why termite control isn't a DIY project

Subterranean termite control is inherently professional work because the colony lives underground and out of reach, and the effective tools are not retail products. Modern control relies on either a continuous treated soil barrier around and beneath the structure or in-ground bait stations that colony members carry back to eliminate the colony over time — both of which require specialized products, equipment, knowledge of construction and termite biology, and ongoing monitoring to confirm the colony is actually gone.

Correct diagnosis is the first professional value: confirming it's truly subterranean termites (not carpenter ants or old, inactive damage), mapping the conducive conditions, and choosing the right strategy. From there, proper installation and follow-up monitoring are what make the treatment hold. Given the stakes — silent structural damage — and the specialized nature of the remedy, termites are firmly in the category of problems to diagnose and treat professionally rather than experiment on.

Frequently asked questions

Do we even have termites in Central New York?

Yes, though less than the South. Eastern subterranean termites occur here and cause serious damage where active — but many 'termite' calls in CNY turn out to be the far more common carpenter ant, which is why identification matters.

How do I tell termites from carpenter ants?

Termites eat wood and leave mud tubes and soil-flecked galleries; carpenter ants excavate clean galleries and leave sawdust-like frass. We can identify which you have quickly and accurately.

How do termites damage a house?

They live in the soil, build mud tubes to reach wood, and eat it from the inside out, so damage progresses hidden from view — sometimes for a long time before it's noticed.

Do I need a termite inspection to buy a home?

Many lenders require a WDI inspection, documented on the NPMA-33 form, which covers termites and other wood-destroying insects. We provide that as a dedicated service.

When do termites swarm?

Usually spring. Discarded wings near windows and light sources after a swarm are a common sign, though swarmers are easily confused with winged ants — we can distinguish them.

Is treatment as aggressive as in the South?

We match treatment to actual local pressure and the specific situation rather than defaulting to the heaviest option. Honest assessment first, appropriate treatment second.

Do we even have termites in Central New York?

Yes, though less than warmer regions. Eastern subterranean termites are present in New York, and localized infestations occur — especially around older structures, in warm microclimates, and where wood meets soil or stays damp. Pressure here is lower and spottier than in the South, so it's a matter for reasonable vigilance rather than alarm.

How can I tell termites from carpenter ants?

Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a broad waist, and two pairs of equal-length wings; carpenter ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and unequal wings. Termites also eat the wood (leaving soil-lined galleries and mud tubes), while carpenter ants only excavate it (clean galleries and sawdust-like frass). The distinction sets the whole treatment approach, so it's worth confirming.

What are the warning signs I should watch for?

Pencil-width mud tubes on foundation walls or piers, wood that sounds hollow or crumbles to reveal soil-lined galleries, and spring swarms of winged insects (or piles of shed, equal-length wings) near windows. Because termites work silently behind surfaces, these signs — or a WDI inspection — are often the first real warning.

Can I treat termites myself?

It isn't practical. The colony lives underground, and effective control requires professional soil-barrier treatments or in-ground bait systems, specialized equipment, and monitoring to confirm the colony is eliminated. Given the risk of silent structural damage, termites are best diagnosed and treated professionally.

Our guarantee

Covered by our defined-term service guarantee: if covered pests return during the service period, we re-treat at no additional charge. See Our Guarantee for terms and exclusions.

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