The short version
Most termite problems in High Point 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 April 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.
Homeowners, landlords and anyone buying or selling a house in High Point, whether you've spotted something or just want to know what to watch for.
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 30°F slow termites near the surface around High Point, but they move deeper and keep feeding under heated homes.
- 1Winged swarmers indoors, especially in spring.
- 2Termite activity reported at a neighbor's home.
- 3Live pale insects inside a broken mud tube.
- 4Mud in cracks of subfloor or joists.
- 5Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- 6Blistered or bubbling paint on wood surfaces.
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
Baiting is slower than a liquid barrier but reaches deeper colonies. For a High Point home on a well or with a finished slab, it is often the cleaner option.
- 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
Some High Point homeowners drop the renewal after a quiet year or two. That usually voids the warranty and leaves the barrier untested.
- 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 liquid barrier treatment around a High Point home means trenching and rodding termiticide into the soil along the foundation. Non-repellent products let termites pass through and carry the chemical home to the colony under High Point.
- 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.
Cardboard boxes stacked on a garage slab are termite food sitting right on their doorstep. Keep storage on shelves.Which termites live around High Point.
The termite you're most likely to meet in High Point is the eastern subterranean termite. It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture. Formosan termites have turned up in parts of North Carolina. They're less common. Their colonies are much bigger, though.
Local termites conditions in High Point.
Knowing High Point'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 High Point and North Carolina 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. High Point 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. In High Point, the area is mostly suburban, 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 High Point usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first.
Mulch piled against the house and a dripping hose bib give termites moisture and cover. Pull mulch back and fix the drip.When termites swarm here.
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. In High Point, eastern subterranean termites usually swarm from April through May, typically on a warm, sunny day after rain. In High Point, formosan termites in North Carolina 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.
Where to look around your house.
Standing water or a musty smell needs fixing either way. The same advice applies across the area, from High Point out to Greensboro and Winston-Salem. A lot of houses around High Point are built over crawl spaces, and that's usually where termites start. Take a flashlight underneath. Check the piers, the sill plate and the floor joists.
A year of termites in High Point.
- Summer: with highs around 88°F in High Point, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs. - Fall: with about 44 inches of rain a year in High Point, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Winter: a good time to book an inspection in High Point, before swarm season starts. - Spring: swarm season. In High Point, expect it from April through May. Check windowsills and light fixtures for wings.
What happens at an inspection.
They'll also go into the crawl space. A moisture meter and a probe help them find hidden activity. Afterward, ask them to show you what they found. Photos help. 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.
Termites or ants?
- Antennae: termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae bend like an elbow. - 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.
Getting ready for treatment day.
Clear a path along the outside walls. Move stored boxes away from garage walls. Mark sprinkler heads and any buried lines. 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.
Mulch and termites.
Wood chips right against siding hold moisture termites like. Keep mulch thin and pull it back from the foundation. A dry strip along the house lets you spot mud tubes.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Is the whole foundation treated, or just one spot? - 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?
What affects the price
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
- Number of bait stations required.
- Extent of existing damage needing repair.
- Amount of drilling through concrete and patios.
- Cubic footage under the tent for fumigation.
- Local labor rates and licensing requirements.
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What's your biggest concern about termites?
When to call for help
Termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave clean tunnels and sawdust. It's also the cheapest termite service. Lenders often ask for one. Get a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report either way. Buying or selling? Hollow-sounding wood is another clue. Call if you see mud tubes, pellets or an indoor swarm.
What you can do yourself
Store-bought sprays usually kill only the termites you see. It also needs even coverage around the entire foundation. The product has to reach the whole colony. Treating an active colony is harder. Keep firewood away from the house. Fix leaks and clear gutters. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Some of the work is yours.
Termites in High Point
Most houses will see termites at some point. With summer highs around 88°F, High Point's humid subtropical climate decides when local termites are busiest. A typical home in High Point is worth around $215k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective. About 44 inches of rain a year in High Point is plenty for subterranean termites, especially on any side of the house kept damp by gutters or sprinklers. Termite activity in North Carolina is above average.
Local research
Termites in High Point, NC: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in North Carolina, when they are busiest around High Point, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Native subterranean termite species in North Carolina
Multiple species with staggered swarm seasons mean swarmers can appear from late winter into fall.
NC State ExtensionTypical soil termiticide application rate
A proper treatment uses a lot of product; very cheap quotes may mean under-application.
NC State ExtensionTermite species recorded in North Carolina
- 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…
- Dark and light southeastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes virginicus; Reticulitermes hageni) — UGA: both are 'generally less economically important when compared to R. flavipes'; R. virginicus swarms April–June and R. hageni July–September. Part of the Reticulitermes comp…
When termites are busiest around High Point
Native species begin swarming in late winter and continue into September or October, usually during the day on warm days following rain (NC State).
The NC Official Wood-Destroying Insect Information Report 'is the only form that is legal for this purpose and is required on almost every residential structure sold', and must be issued by a licensee of the NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control Division. NC State references state rules requiring drilling and treating attached slabs and voids near known activity. FDACS and UGA list NC among Formosan states.
Rules that apply in North Carolina
Sources: NC State 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
- Keep the termite renewal contract current after treatment.
- Ventilate crawl spaces and control humidity.
- Check the foundation for mud tubes every spring.
- Inspect used furniture for drywood pellets before bringing indoors.
- Keep gutters clean so water does not pool.
- Install a vapor barrier over crawl space soil.
In an apartment building, termites travel through shared walls and slab joints, so one unit's problem is the whole building's problem.Did you know?
In High Point, termites have been chewing wood for well over 100 million years, since the age of the dinosaurs.
In High Point, some tropical termites grow fungus gardens inside the nest and eat the harvest.
Questions people ask
Can termites damage a house on a concrete slab?
They come up through expansion joints, plumbing gaps and small cracks. Inspectors check those spots first. Yes.
What is the difference between subterranean and drywood termites?
Drywood termites live inside the wood and leave tiny pellets. Around High Point, the subterranean kind causes most problems. Subterranean termites live in soil and build mud tubes.
How long does termite treatment take?
Bait stations take a few hours to install. Fumigation takes two to three days. A liquid barrier takes half a day to a day.
How do I know if I have termites or flying ants?
Ants have a pinched waist; termites don't. Save one in a bag for the inspector. Check the wings and the waist. Termite wings are all the same length.
Can I treat termites myself?
The product must reach the whole colony. It also needs even coverage around the foundation. Store-bought sprays usually kill only what you see. Prevention, yes. An active colony is harder.
When is termite swarming season?
In High Point, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. In High Point, 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 North Carolina?
Around High Point, the usual culprit is the eastern subterranean termite.
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Sources (11)
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