Are termites common in Dallas? Yes. North Texas has warm weather, mild winters, and clay soil that holds moisture, and termites do well in all three. Most homeowners only think about them in spring, when the swarms come out. However, the colony feeds all year, and most of the damage happens out of sight.
Why Are Termites Common in Dallas?
Termites need moisture, warmth, and wood. Dallas offers plenty of each. In addition, our clay soil swells and shrinks with the weather, which opens small cracks in slab foundations. A termite only needs a gap about as thin as a business card to get through.
The Three Types Found in North Texas
- Subterranean termites: By far the most common type here. They live in the soil and build pencil-wide mud tubes up foundation walls to reach the wood in your home.
- Formosan termites: A more aggressive kind of subterranean termite that has been found in parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Their colonies are much larger, so they can do damage faster. They can also build nests above ground where wood stays damp.
- Drywood termites: Less common in North Texas. They live inside dry wood and do not need soil contact. For example, they often arrive in used furniture or lumber brought in from the coast.
Damage Signs You Can Spot Any Time of Year
You do not have to wait for a swarm to find a problem. Check for these signs:
- Mud tubes on the foundation, garage walls, or piers
- Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it
- Paint that bubbles or peels with no water leak nearby
- Doors and windows that start to stick
- Small, hard pellets that look like sawdust or coffee grounds below wood trim, which points to drywood termites
- Baseboards or flooring that feel soft or sag
Some of these signs can also come from water damage. Therefore, a trained inspector should confirm what you are seeing before you pay for any treatment. For the winged swarmers and how to tell them from flying ants, read our guide to termite swarm season in Texas.
What to Do if You Find Signs
First, leave the mud tubes and damaged wood in place. Breaking them open or spraying a store-bought product only scatters the termites, and it makes the colony harder to trace. Instead, take a photo and note where you found it. Then have the home inspected. The type of termite decides the treatment, so the right ID comes first.
Get a Termite Inspection From a Licensed Pro
HK Pest Control Services provides inspections and termite control in Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. Our inspectors are trained to identify subterranean, Formosan, and drywood termites, and we give you a clear plan for any colony we find. We are licensed and insured in Texas (TPCL #13923).
Think you have termites? Call us at 469-618-9991 for a free consultation, backed by our guarantee.
