A termite exterminator inspects your home for termite activity and the conditions that invite it, identifies the species, and treats the colony with methods such as bait stations, liquid soil treatments or direct wood treatment, then monitors the property over time. Because subterranean termites feed out of sight in soil and wood, professional inspection is usually how an infestation is confirmed. Saela Pest Control, a residential and commercial pest control company based in Orem, Utah, provides the best termite control for homes and businesses, with termite packages built on Trelona bait stations. This guide covers the signs to watch for, how inspections and treatments work, and how to choose a provider.
Understanding the Threat Termites Pose to Your Property
Termites threaten a home’s structure because they feed on wood and other cellulose materials from the inside, often for a long time before anyone notices. The EPA’s termite guidance notes that termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage every year.
Subterranean termites are the most common concern. UC IPM’s pest note on termites explains that they require moist environments and usually nest in or near the soil, reaching wood through tunnels or shelter tubes. That is why damage often starts where wood meets soil or stays damp.
A colony works as an organized system. Workers forage, feed nest mates and build tubes and galleries, soldiers defend the colony, and reproductives, including a queen that can lay thousands of eggs in a day, keep it growing.
The good news is that termite damage usually progresses slowly. The University of Kentucky’s termite guide for homeowners notes that taking an extra day, week or month to make an informed decision generally makes little difference to the amount of damage.
Signs That You Need Professional Pest Control
The clearest signs of termites are mud tubes, damaged wood and swarmers indoors. Check for these:
- Mud tubes running up foundation walls, piers or plumbing, which termites build to travel between the soil and wood
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, with galleries along the grain lined with bits of dried mud or soil
- Winged termites or shed wings indoors, which the University of Kentucky says almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment
- Sagging floors, sticking doors or bubbling paint, which can come from damaged framing or from moisture problems that also attract termites
Many of these signs are easy to miss, so it helps to know what to look for room by room. This guide to the early signs of termite damage covers the details.
Timing matters too. UC IPM notes that common subterranean termites swarm in spring or fall, often on clear days after a soaking rain, so watch windowsills and light fixtures for wings during those seasons.
The Professional Termite Inspection Process
A professional termite inspection checks the outside foundation, the crawl space or basement, the attic and the areas where wood meets soil or moisture. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, structural gaps and basements.
Inspectors look for mud tubes, damaged or soft wood, swarmer wings and the conditions that favor termites, such as wood touching soil, leaks and poor drainage. They probe suspect wood and check slab joints, utility penetrations and areas behind siding.
Moisture gets special attention. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, crawl spaces and areas around downspouts are common trouble spots, because subterranean termites need moisture.
A good inspection also records what was found, ideally with notes and photos. Those records make it easier to tell new activity from old damage at the next inspection. Some areas hidden behind walls or under floors can’t be seen directly, so ask what the inspector could and couldn’t access.
Treatment Methods and Prevention Strategies
Professional termite treatment usually relies on bait systems, liquid soil treatments or both, with direct wood treatment for certain situations. Saela’s termite control packages use Trelona bait stations, and the upgraded package adds a Termidor perimeter treatment; inspection schedules and re-treatment coverage depend on the agreement.
Liquid Termiticide Barriers
A liquid termiticide treatment applies product to the soil around and beneath the structure so termites contact it as they tunnel toward the house. According to the University of Kentucky, modern non-repellent products such as Termidor kill termites that tunnel into treated areas.
These treatments involve a large volume of product. According to the University of Kentucky, hundreds of gallons of liquid may be injected into the ground along the foundation, beneath concrete slabs and within foundation walls.
That is why liquid treatments are a job for trained, licensed professionals. In most cases, according to the EPA, termiticide application can only be properly performed by a trained pest management professional.
Bait Station Systems
Bait systems place stations in the soil around the home, and foraging termites that find the bait share it with nest mates. The University of Kentucky describes the result as a gradual decline in termite numbers.
Baits work more slowly than liquid treatments. Control may take weeks or months, so stations need regular monitoring and bait replacement as part of an ongoing plan.
Placement and monitoring matter as much as the bait. Stations go where termites are likely to forage, and each check shows whether activity is rising or falling.
Direct Wood Treatment
Direct wood treatment targets termites inside specific pieces of wood. It is mainly used for drywood termites, which live in the wood itself rather than in the soil.
UC IPM explains that insecticidal liquids, dusts or foams can be injected directly into drywood termite galleries for localized infestations. When drywood infestations are widespread, whole-structure fumigation may be needed instead.
For subterranean termites, direct wood treatment is usually a supplement to soil or bait treatment rather than a stand-alone fix. Ask your provider which approach fits the species found in your home.
Long-term Protection and Maintenance
Long-term termite protection depends on regular inspections, monitoring and fixing the conditions that attract termites. A good maintenance program includes:
- Scheduled inspections to catch new activity early
- Monitoring of bait stations or treated areas
- Plan updates when inspections find changes
- Records of inspections and treatments for your files and any warranty
Even after successful treatment, a home can be reinfested. New construction, landscaping changes and moisture problems can all create fresh risks.
Moisture control is a big part of prevention. The EPA recommends keeping soil around the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage, maintaining gutters and downspouts, and fixing leaks immediately.
Reducing wood-to-soil contact helps as well. Keep firewood and wood debris away from the house, and UC IPM suggests keeping a 12-inch barrier of smooth concrete, coarse sand or other inorganic material between the soil and structural wood.
The Value of Professional Expertise
Professional termite control offers advantages that store-bought products can’t match. Licensed exterminators bring:
- Training in termite biology and identification
- Access to professional termiticides and bait systems
- Knowledge of the termite species common in your area
- An understanding of how construction creates hidden entry points
- Written terms for re-treatment or coverage
Expertise starts with protocols. At Saela, those are developed by Dennis Weiss, who holds the Entomological Society of America’s Board Certified Entomologist credential and trains its technicians.
Experience also helps a technician read what they find. A mud tube may mark recent activity or an older colony, and old damage may come from an infestation that was already controlled.
Environmental Considerations
Responsible termite control uses targeted treatments and prevention to limit how much product is needed. Good practices include:
- Bait systems or targeted applications where they fit the situation
- Product use that follows the label exactly
- Integrated pest management that combines inspection, prevention and treatment
- Careful application near wells, water and landscaping
Saela’s integrated pest management approach moves through pest identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation. Its IPM approach also includes sealing entry points and reducing the food, water and shelter that support infestations.
Prevention reduces the need for treatment. Fixing leaks, improving drainage and keeping wood away from soil all make a home less attractive to termites.
Making an Informed Decision
Choose a termite provider by comparing inspections, treatment plans and written terms, not just price. Consider:
- Experience and reputation with termite work
- State licensing and insurance
- What the warranty covers, such as re-treatment versus repair of damage
- How the company monitors results over time
- How clearly they explain their findings and treatment
The University of Kentucky recommends getting inspections and estimates from more than one company to compare services, warranties and retreatment policies. For a closer look at where termites hide, see the areas of your home most vulnerable to termites.
Because a termite plan runs over years, consistency matters. In a February 2024 Google review, Lucas O wrote that “Saela consistently delivers on the required tasks.” On Google, Saela’s Altamonte Springs, Florida location is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 341 reviews as of October 2026.
Conclusion
Protecting your home from termites comes down to early detection, the right treatment for the species and ongoing monitoring. Take time to compare inspections and written terms, and fix moisture problems and wood-to-soil contact regardless of which treatment you choose.
To compare plan options, review Saela’s plans and pricing, then book a call to schedule a termite inspection.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
