The short version
Most termite problems in Arlington are eastern subterranean termites, and the usual fix is a liquid soil treatment or bait stations. Start with an inspection; $75–$250 is typical.
- Look for mud tubes, shed wings and hollow-sounding wood.
- Swarms usually show up from March through May.
- The usual fix is a soil barrier or bait stations.
- An inspection typically costs $75–$250.
- Insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
Anyone in Arlington who owns, rents out, or is buying a home and wants to know whether termites are a real concern.
What to look for
Spongy floors or bubbling paint usually mean long-running damage. So it's worth an inspection, even for one or two signs. Termites work quietly. A colony can feed inside a wall for years. Average winter lows near 35°F slow termites near the surface around Arlington, but they move deeper and keep feeding under heated homes.
- 1Winged swarmers indoors, especially in spring.
- 2Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- 3Mud in cracks of subfloor or joists.
- 4Discarded wings caught in spider webs.
- 5Small kick-out holes in exposed wood.
- 6Termite tubes hanging down from ceilings or joists.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Colonies grow and spread every year they go untreated.
- Damage hides behind drywall, flooring and trim.
- Homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
- An active infestation can complicate a home sale.
- Formosan colonies are large and can do serious damage quickly.
Treatment options and typical costs
Termite Inspection and WDI Report
$75–$250
The inspector checks the foundation, garage, attic and damp spots. Bring up anything you’ve noticed.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job, real estate closings, and yearly peace of mind
Bait Station System with Monitoring
$1,500–$3,500 install, plus $300–$500 per year
Bait stations are set into the ground every 10 to 20 feet around an Arlington home. Foraging workers carry the slow-acting bait home, and the colony collapses.
- Time
- 2–4 hours to install; checked quarterly
- Best for
- Colony elimination, wells and slabs, homes near water
Annual Renewal and Monitoring
$150–$400 per year
Termites do not stop foraging after a treatment, so monitoring matters. Yearly visits to an Arlington home catch new tubes before they reach framing.
- Time
- 30–60 minutes per visit
- Best for
- Keeping a treated home protected after the initial job
Liquid Soil Termiticide Barrier
$1,200–$3,500 (often $3–$16 per linear foot)
A soil barrier stops termites from reaching wood through the ground. For most Arlington homes with active subterranean termites, this is the fastest way to end feeding.
- Time
- Half a day to a full day
- Best for
- Active subterranean termites; fast knockdown around the foundation
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
In a basement, the wooden sill plate on top of the block wall is the first piece of wood termites reach.Which termites live around Arlington.
Formosan termites have spread into parts of Texas too. Their colonies dwarf native ones. Inspectors take them seriously. The termite you're most likely to meet in Arlington is the eastern subterranean termite. It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture.
Local termites conditions in Arlington.
Arlington sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for termite activity here: spring swarm season (March-May), warmer earlier in the south. For Arlington homes, the area is mostly urban, so termites pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. An inspection in Arlington usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Arlington's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. A provider who works Arlington and Texas every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options.
Sealing the gap where pipes enter the house takes away one of the easiest routes in. It won't replace treatment, but it helps.When termites swarm here.
For Arlington homes, eastern subterranean termites usually swarm from March through May, typically on a warm, sunny day after rain. Formosan termites in Texas swarm later, from late April into June. Look for them on warm, humid evenings around porch lights. A swarm outside means a colony is nearby. A swarm inside usually means it's in the house. Save a few in a bag, or snap a clear photo. Swarm season is when termites show themselves.
Where to look around your house.
Outside, watch for mud tubes behind shrubs. Keep soil and mulch below the slab edge. The same advice applies across the area, from Arlington out to Fort Worth and Carrollton. Many homes in Arlington sit on concrete slabs, so termites come up through expansion joints, plumbing gaps and settlement cracks. Check the garage edges and behind baseboards. Look where pipes come through the floor.
A year of termites in Arlington.
- Fall: with about 38 inches of rain a year in Arlington, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Arlington, before swarm season starts. - Spring: swarm season. For Arlington homes, expect it from March through May. Check windowsills and light fixtures for wings. - Summer: with highs around 96°F in Arlington, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs.
What happens at an inspection.
Most inspections take an hour or two. The inspector walks the outside of the house first. They check the foundation, the soil line and nearby wood. Inside, they check the garage, baseboards, plumbing gaps and the attic. On a slab, they focus on joints, cracks and pipe gaps. A moisture meter and a probe help them find hidden activity. Afterward, ask them to show you what they found. Photos help.
Termites or ants?
- Debris: termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave sawdust. - Tunnels: termite galleries are packed with mud. Ant tunnels are clean and smooth. - Wings: termite wings are all the same length. Ant wings aren’t. - Waist: termites are thick through the middle. Ants are pinched. - Antennae: termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae bend like an elbow.
Getting ready for treatment day.
Keep pets and kids inside while the crew works outside. Ask how long to stay off treated soil. Any drill holes in a slab or patio get patched. Soil treatments and bait stations need little prep. Clear a path along the outside walls. Move stored boxes away from garage walls. Mark sprinkler heads and any buried lines.
Mulch and termites.
Keep mulch thin and pull it back from the foundation. A dry strip along the house lets you spot mud tubes. Wood chips right against siding hold moisture termites like.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long? - What does the yearly renewal cost? - What do I need to do before and after treatment? - Which termites did you find, and where? - What product or system will you use? - Is the whole foundation treated, or just one spot?
What affects the price
- Liquid barrier versus bait station system.
- Annual renewal and monitoring fees.
- Warranty type: retreatment only or damage repair.
- Attached garages, decks, and additions.
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
- Amount of drilling through concrete and patios.
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What's your biggest concern about termites?
When to call for help
Lenders often ask for one. It's also the cheapest termite service. Carpenter ants leave clean tunnels and sawdust. Termites leave mud. Call if you see mud tubes, pellets or an indoor swarm. Hollow-sounding wood is another clue. Buying or selling? Get a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report either way.
What you can do yourself
Treating an active colony is harder. The product has to reach the whole colony. It also needs even coverage around the entire foundation. Store-bought sprays usually kill only the termites you see. Some of the work is yours. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Fix leaks and clear gutters. Keep firewood away from the house.
Termites in Arlington
An annual inspection is common sense here. With summer highs around 96°F, Arlington's humid subtropical climate decides when local termites are busiest. A typical home in Arlington is worth around $310k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective. About 38 inches of rain a year in Arlington is plenty for subterranean termites, especially on any side of the house kept damp by gutters or sprinklers. Texas is one of the most termite-active states in the country.
Local research
Termites in Arlington, TX: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in Texas, when they are busiest around Arlington, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Annual subterranean termite damage in Texas
Texas is one of the costliest termite states, with both native and Formosan species.
Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionSwarm onset in South Texas
South Texas homeowners should watch for swarmers a full season before the rest of the country.
Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionTermite species recorded in Texas
- Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) — UGA calls it 'the most widely distributed subterranean termite, and it is the most common termite found in the eastern United States'; it swarms February through April in Georgi…
- Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) — FDACS lists it in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, California and Hawaii. Colonies contain…
When termites are busiest around Arlington
Swarms begin in January–February in South Texas and not until April or May in the Panhandle (Texas A&M).
Texas A&M identifies the eastern subterranean and Formosan subterranean termites as the two economically important species. Termites enter via wood in direct contact with soil and by building shelter tubes over or through foundation cracks; modern termiticides provide approximately 5 years of protection and licensed professionals are recommended.
Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Biology of Subterranean Termites in the Eastern United States (B1209); University of Missouri Extension; Formosan Termite Program. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep termites away
- Paint or seal exposed exterior wood.
- Repair rotting trim, fascia, and window frames.
- Inspect used furniture for drywood pellets before bringing indoors.
- Keep mulch at least a foot from the foundation.
- Keep the termite renewal contract current after treatment.
- Extend downspouts so water drains away from walls.
Compare quotes line by line: the areas treated, the product, the warranty and the renewal fee. The lowest total isn't always the best deal.Did you know?
For Arlington homes, soldier termites can't feed themselves, so the workers feed them mouth to mouth.
For Arlington homes, some tropical termites grow fungus gardens inside the nest and eat the harvest.
Questions people ask
Does fumigation kill subterranean termites too?
Tenting clears termites inside the house. It doesn't reach a colony living in the soil. Not reliably.
What is the difference between subterranean and drywood termites?
Drywood termites live inside the wood and leave tiny pellets. Around Arlington, the subterranean kind causes most problems. Subterranean termites live in soil and build mud tubes.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a house?
Either way, it's cheap peace of mind. Ask your agent when it's due. Usually, yes. Many lenders ask for a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report.
Do I have to leave my house during termite treatment?
Fumigation is different. Everyone leaves for two to three days, pets and houseplants included. Not for a soil treatment or bait stations.
How do I choose a termite company?
Ask what the warranty covers. Compare the proposals, not just the totals. Make sure they're licensed in Texas. Ask which termites they found and what product they'll use.
Is termite prevention cheaper than repairing termite damage?
For Arlington homes, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. For Arlington homes, a professional inspection looks for mud tubes, damaged wood, and swarming activity, and treatment targets the soil and the colony rather than just the visible wood.
Are termites common in Texas?
Around Arlington, the usual culprit is the eastern subterranean termite.
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Sources (9)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Termite Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides