How do I know if I have termites or flying ants?
Look at the waist, the wings, and the antennae. Termite swarmers around Bellevue have a broad waist, four wings of equal length, and straight beaded antennae. Flying ants have a pinched waist, uneven wings, and elbowed antennae. If you are still unsure, a Bellevue inspector can identify a sample in seconds.
Are mud tubes always a sign of active termites?
Mud tubes on a Bellevue, Washington home show that subterranean termites used that route at some point. Dry, empty tubes may be old. Fresh, damp tubes with pale insects inside mean activity now. Either way, an inspection in Bellevue settles the question and finds any other routes.
Does fumigation kill subterranean termites too?
Fumigation and subterranean treatment solve different problems for a Bellevue home. Gas handles drywood termites hidden in framing and furniture. Soil treatment handles colonies that tunnel in from outside. Many Bellevue homes with both species end up needing both.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a house?
a termite inspection belongs in every Bellevue home purchase, especially for homes with crawl spaces, slabs on grade, or wood siding. The report shows active termites, past damage, and conducive conditions. Ask a licensed Bellevue provider for a report dated close to closing.
Is termite treatment safe for kids and pets?
Modern termiticides applied by a licensed Bellevue provider are placed in soil, wall voids, or sealed bait stations, not on living surfaces. Follow the label about staying off treated soil until it dries. Fumigation requires everyone, including pets and plants, to leave the Bellevue home until clearance.
Is termite prevention cheaper than repairing termite damage?
Many homeowners are not sure. Another data point for Bellevue readers: for a homeowner, the striking part of the NPMA/Harris Poll findings released March 24, 2026 is that only 45% of U.S. homeowners believed prevention costs less than repair, a stated attitude, not evidence about actual bills, though it suggests many undervalue an inspection. In Bellevue, ask providers to put the number of visits and any re-treatment terms in writing before work begins.
Can you treat for termites before building a house?
Yes, and most termite companies offer it. Bellevue households fit the wider pattern here: Anyone planning a build can usually find a termite pre-treatment locally: 79% of locations responding to Pest Control Technology (PCT) magazine's 2025 termite market report (about 145 professionals, 2024 operations) offered it, a percentage of companies, not a measure of how many houses get termites. Local conditions in Bellevue, Washington can differ from the survey population, so confirm the specifics with an on-site inspection.