Termites in Hunt & Kaufman Counties: What Texas Homeowners Need to Know (Before It Gets Expensive)

Illustration depicting various termite castes: worker, soldier, reproductive, winged reproductive, king, queen, and secondary queen, highlighting their distinct physical characteristics and roles within the colony.

If you’ve noticed winged ants around a window, a light fixture, or your garage… pause for a second.

What may appear to be 'just bugs' could actually be a termite swarm... and in East Texas, termite activity is common thanks to our moisture, warmth, and the amount of wooded land and tree lines surrounding homes.

And here’s the tricky part: termites don’t usually announce themselves like roaches or ants do. They work quietly — behind walls, under flooring, and inside framing. That’s why homeowners in Hunt County and Kaufman County often don’t realize there’s a problem until there’s already damage.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what you need to know about termites around here — including what to look for, when swarm season hits, how inspections work, treatment options, and what termite treatment costs in Texas.

Why Termites Are a Big Problem in Hunt & Kaufman Counties

Termites are not “rare” in our area — not even close.

Homes across Greenville, Quinlan, Commerce, Caddo Mills, Royse City, Terrell, Forney, Crandall, Kaufman, and nearby communities regularly deal with termite pressure. This is due to factors such as:

• East Texas humidity and rainfall

• Clay soil holding moisture near foundations

• Tree lines and wooded lots

• Slab foundations with expansion cracks

• Pier and beam homes with crawlspaces

• Mulch, landscaping, and wood contact near the structure

The biggest issue? Termites can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage, and most homeowner insurance policies do not cover termite damage.

That’s why proactive Termite inspection Hunt County and Termite inspection Kaufman County searches are becoming more common — people would rather catch it early than pay for repairs later.

Common Types of Termites in Texas (Subterranean Focus)

Texas has multiple termite species, but the #1 termite we deal with locally is:

Subterranean Termites (Most Common in East Texas)

These are the primary troublemakers in our area.

Subterranean termites Texas homeowners deal with live in the soil and travel into homes through mud tubes and cracks. They require moisture, which is why they love the conditions around Hunt and Kaufman County.

They can enter through:

• Tiny slab cracks

• Plumbing penetrations

• Expansion joints

• Porch and patio attachments

• Pier-and-beam crawlspaces

Drywood Termites (Less Common Here)

Drywood termites live inside wood and don’t rely on soil contact. They’re more common in coastal areas, but we occasionally see them in Texas depending on travel/materials.

Bottom line: Most termite control in Hunt County TX and Kaufman County TX is targeted at subterranean termites.

When Is Termite Swarm Season in Texas?

Termite swarm season Texas typically kicks off in:

• Spring (most common): March–May

• But swarms can happen after warm rains into early summer

A termite swarm doesn’t necessarily mean your house is infested, but it does indicate nearby termite activity. Scheduling an inspection is a wise precaution.

Swarm signs include:

• Winged insects near windows

• Piles of discarded wings on sills or floors

• Swarming around porch lights at night

Pro tip: people often call these “flying ants,” but termites have different wings/body shape — and they’re a lot more expensive.

Top Signs of Termites in Your Home

Let’s get practical. These are the most common signs of termites in house calls we get in East Texas:

1) Mud Tubes on Foundation or Walls

Mud tubes termites build look like thin dirt tunnels, usually:

• along slab edges

• in garages

• near plumbing

• up brick or block

This is one of the clearest signs of active subterranean termites.

Intricately woven termite mud tubes are visible on weathered wooden surfaces, showcasing the termites' elaborate design for protection and movement.

2) Soft, Hollow, or Bubbling Wood

If your baseboards, door trim, or flooring feel:

• soft

• hollow when tapped

• “crunchy”…it could be termite feeding inside.

3) Swarmers or Wings Indoors

If swarmers are inside the home, that’s a red flag worth taking seriously.

4) Doors or Windows Suddenly Sticking

Termite activity can increase moisture and distort wood slightly — causing sticking doors and windows.

5) Pinholes, Blisters, or Paint That Looks “Wet”

Sometimes termite damage shows up as bubbling paint or tiny blistering that looks like a moisture issue.

If You’ve Seen Any of These Signs…

If you’ve noticed mud tubes, soft wood, swarmers, or discarded wings, don’t guess.

A professional inspection can tell you whether termites are present and what needs to be done next.

📞 Call or text Bandit Busters Pest & Wildlife Management at (903) 226-6555. We offer fast scheduling available for Hunt County and Kaufman County homeowners.

How Termites Get Into Homes Around Here

Termites don’t need a hole you can see. They need something the width of a credit card — or less.

Common termite entry factors in our region:

Slab Foundations (Very Common in Newer Homes)

• Expansion cracks

• Plumbing slab penetrations

• Termite trails behind brick veneer

Pier & Beam Homes (Common in Older Homes)

• Crawlspace moisture

• Wood-to-soil contact

• Older or damaged pier supports

• Poor ventilation

Tree Lines + Moisture

Around Quinlan, Caddo Mills, Royse City, and rural parts of both counties, termite pressure increases because:

• wooded lots hold moisture

• soil stays damp longer

• colonies can be closer to the home

Landscaping Mistakes (Very Common)

• mulch piled against the foundation

• firewood stored touching the home

• flower bed edging in contact with siding

• poor drainage leading to constant moisture

Termite Inspection: What to Expect (and How Long It Takes)

A proper termite inspection is NOT a quick glance in the garage.

For Termite inspection Hunt County and Termite inspection Kaufman County, here’s what a professional inspection should include:

What We Check

• Full exterior foundation perimeter

• Garage slab edge + expansion joints

• Plumbing penetrations

• Weep holes (brick)

• Crawlspace (pier and beam)

• Attic framing (when accessible)

• Interior door trim/baseboards (as needed)

How Long It Takes

Most inspections take:

• 30–60 minutes, depending on home size, accessibility, and findings.

What You’ll Receive

A professional inspection should give you:

• confirmation of activity or no activity

• areas of concern

• recommended treatment (if needed)

• prevention recommendations

Termite Treatment Options (Preventative vs Curative)

At Bandit Busters Pest & Wildlife Management, we use two proven approaches depending on what your home needs: preventative termite baiting and curative termite treatment using a liquid + bait station combo.

In Hunt County and Kaufman County, the truth is simple:✅ Some homes need protection ✅ Other homes need elimination + protection

1) Preventative Termite Baiting (Best for early protection)

If you don’t currently have active termites but want long-term defense, we recommend preventative bait stations.

This is a smart option for homeowners who:

• live near tree lines or wooded lots

• have a history of termites nearby

• want ongoing prevention without drilling

• want early detection before damage starts

How it works: bait stations are installed around the home and monitored. If termites are detected, the system helps eliminate the colony before it becomes a structural problem.

2) Curative Termite Treatment (Liquid + Baiting Combo)

If termites are active, prevention alone isn’t enough — you need a curative termite control plan that stops the infestation and protects the home.

That’s why Bandit Busters often uses a combo treatment:

• Liquid treatment creates a powerful protective zone around the structure (fast control)

• Baiting system supports long-term colony control and ongoing monitoring

This approach is ideal for:

• active subterranean termite infestations

• homes with confirmed mud tubes or swarmers

• buyers/sellers needing a corrective plan

• homeowners who want both immediate results AND long-term protection

Around here, this combo is one of the most effective ways to handle subterranean termites in Texas — because it hits the problem from both angles.

How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost in Texas?

This is one of the most searched topics:how much termite treatment costs in Texas

Here are realistic price ranges (general guidance):

Termite Inspection Cost

• Many inspections: $0–$150(Depends on company, inspection type, and documentation needed)

Liquid Barrier Treatment

• Typical home range: $800–$2,500+Factors that affect price:

• slab vs pier & beam

• linear footage

• drilling/trenching required

• severity + accessibility

Bait Station Installation + Monitoring

• Installation: $750–$2,000

• Annual monitoring: $250–$600/year (varies)

New Construction Pretreatment Texas

For builders/homebuyers, new construction termite pretreatment Texas often runs:

• $300–$900+Depending on square footage and builder stage.

Termites work diligently within the wood, showcasing their role as both decomposers and pests in the ecosystem.

DIY vs Professional Termite Control (Be Honest)

Lets be straightforward:

DIY Can Work for Prevention

Some helpful DIY steps include:

• removing wood debris

• controlling moisture

• proper drainage improvements

DIY Usually Fails for Active Infestations

Over-the-counter termite products don’t typically:

• reach the colony

• create a full protective barrier

• address hidden entry points

Worse… DIY attempts can cause termites to shift their activity deeper into the structure.

If you’re searching termite exterminator near me, it’s usually because you already know this isn’t a “spray and pray” situation.

Termite Prevention Tips for Homeowners

Even if you don’t have termites today, prevention matters.

Here are some practical termite prevention tips that are effective in our area:

• Keep mulch 6–12 inches away from foundation

• Store firewood at least 20 feet away

• Fix dripping hose bibs/spigots

• Ensure gutters drain away from the home

• Avoid soil touching wood/siding

• Reduce crawlspace moisture (pier & beam)

• Keep landscaping from trapping moisture

• Schedule a yearly termite inspection

Real Estate & Termites: WDI / VA / FHA Inspections Explained

If you’re buying or selling a home in Hunt or Kaufman County, termite inspections come up a lot.

What is a WDI Inspection?

WDI stands for Wood Destroying Insect inspection. It’s commonly requested for real estate transactions.

VA/FHA/WDI Termite Inspection

If you’re dealing with certain loans or lenders, they may require a VA/FHA/WDI termite inspection. This inspection focuses on visible evidence of infestation, damage, and conditions conducive to termites.

If you’re a realtor or property manager in Terrell, Forney, Royse City, Greenville, or nearby — having a termite company that responds fast can keep closings on track.

Why Choose Bandit Busters for Termite Control

There are a lot of companies out there, but here’s what makes Bandit Busters different:

• Local service — Hunt County and Kaufman County are our backyard

• We understand East Texas home construction (slab + pier & beam)

• Clear inspection process with honest recommendations

• No scare tactics — just facts + solutions

• Fast response times and real local accountability

Whether you’re in Kaufman, Crandall, Forney, or over in Quinlan, Commerce, Caddo Mills, Greenville, we know the area — and we know termites.

If you’ve been searching:

• Termite control Hunt County TX

• Termite treatment Hunt County TX

• Termite control Kaufman County TX

• Termite treatment Kaufman County TX…you’re in the right place.

✅ FAQs (10)

1) How do I know if I have termites or ants?

Termites have straight antennae, thick waists, and equal-length wings. Ants have pinched waists and bent antennae.

2) Are termites common in Hunt County?

Yes. Termites are common due to moisture, soil conditions, and wooded lots.

3) Are termites common in Kaufman County?

Yes — especially near tree lines, moisture-heavy areas, and slab expansions/cracks.

4) When is termite swarm season in Texas?

Usually March–May, but can occur after warm rains into summer.

5) How long does termite treatment last?

Many professional treatments can protect for years, but annual inspections and maintenance are recommended.

6) Do bait stations work?

Yes, when installed correctly and consistently monitored. They are slower than liquid barriers but effective long-term.

7) Can termites come back after treatment?

They can if conditions remain favorable or if protection lapses — which is why inspections matter.

8) Do I need a termite inspection every year?

Most Texas homeowners should schedule inspections annually, especially in high-risk areas like ours.

9) What are mud tubes and what do they mean?

Mud tubes are soil tunnels built by subterranean termites. They usually indicate active termite travel from soil to structure.

10) Do VA/FHA loans require termite inspections?

Many do, depending on lender requirements and region. It’s commonly requested as part of the home buying process.