Does Termite Spray Work? What Kills a Termite Colony and What Doesn't

Why the can of spray doesn't solve it

North Jersey's termites are eastern subterranean termites. The colony lives underground, sometimes well away from the house, and sends workers up through the soil into wood. They build mud tubes to cross concrete and block because they dry out in open air.

• You only see a tiny fraction. The swarmers at the window or the workers in a broken tube are a small sample of a colony that stays out of sight.
• Spraying breaks the trail, not the colony. Termites simply build a new tube a few feet away or come up through another crack.
• It hides the evidence. Once the visible activity is gone, it's harder for an inspector to see where they were getting in.
• Swarmers aren't the damage. Killing winged termites in spring does nothing to the workers eating the sill plate.

Spraying does feel like progress, which is exactly why many homeowners find out years later that the termites never left.

Repellent vs. non-repellent: why the product type matters

Professional termiticides come in two broad types, and the difference explains a lot about why some treatments work better than others:

We choose the product and method for each house after the inspection. If you want to know exactly what we'll use and why, ask; we'll explain it.

Liquid treatment vs. termite baits

Liquid soil treatment isn't the only option. Termite bait systems use stations in the ground around the house; termites feed on the bait and carry it back to the colony. Both approaches are used successfully, and they suit different situations:

• Liquid treatment works right away once the zone is in place and is often chosen when termites are already active in the house.
• Bait systems avoid drilling and treating large amounts of soil, but they take longer to work and need the stations checked regularly.
• Some homes use a combination, depending on construction and where the activity is.

For a side-by-side look, see Sentricon vs. liquid termite treatment. Ask us which approach fits your home.

What to do before you call

1. Don't spray or break the mud tubes. Leave them so the inspector can see how termites are getting in.
2. Save a few swarmers or wings in a zip bag or on clear tape. Flying ants get mistaken for termites all the time.
3. Take photos of tubes, wings and any soft or hollow wood, and text them to 973-510-2585.
4. Note the moisture: wet basement corners, leaks, gutters and downspouts near the activity.
5. Buying or selling? Mention the closing date. See VA termite inspections.