The short version
Most termite problems in Spokane Valley are western 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 in spring.
- 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 Spokane Valley, whether you've spotted something or just want to know what to watch for.
What to look for
Termites work quietly. A colony can feed inside a wall for years. Winter lows around Spokane Valley average near 23°F, so termites retreat deeper into the soil, though colonies under heated basements can stay active all winter. Spongy floors or bubbling paint usually mean long-running damage. So it's worth an inspection, even for one or two signs.
- 1Doors and windows that suddenly stick.
- 2Tiny pinholes in drywall rimmed with mud.
- 3Mud tubes running up foundation walls or piers.
- 4Winged swarmers indoors, especially in spring.
- 5Screwdriver sinks easily into sills or trim.
- 6Discarded wings caught in spider webs.
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.
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Termite activity through the year in Spokane Valley
Spring
swarm seasons. In Spokane Valley, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain.
Summer
with highs around 84°F in Spokane Valley, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs.
Fall
with about 17 inches of rain a year in Spokane Valley, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
Winter
a good time to book an inspection in Spokane Valley, before swarm season starts.
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
Annual Renewal and Monitoring
$150–$400 per year
Renewal fees are small next to a second full treatment. For Spokane Valley homeowners, the visit usually includes a walk-around, a crawl space check, and a bait station service.
- Time
- 30–60 minutes per visit
- Best for
- Keeping a treated home protected after the initial job
Localized Wood, Foam, and Borate Treatment
$250–$1,500
When termites are limited to one wall or window frame, a technician can treat that wood directly, which is common when Spokane Valley subterranean termites reach a damp sill plate. Foam expands into voids, and borate soaks into bare lumber.
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Small drywood spots, wall voids, and exposed framing
Fumigation for Drywood Termites
$1,200–$4,000 (often $1–$4 per square foot)
Tenting is mainly for drywood termites. Most homes here never need it.
- Time
- 2–3 days including tenting and aeration
- Best for
- Widespread drywood termites throughout a structure
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
A slow leak under a sink keeps the wood damp, and damp wood is exactly what termites are looking for.How treatment works on a typical Spokane Valley home.
With a crawl space, the crew treats soil outside and underneath. They also treat around piers and plumbing. Fix any moisture under the house too. Bait stations are the other main option. They're spaced every 10 to 20 feet. Termites carry the bait back to the colony. The stations are checked on a schedule, often every few months.
Which termites live around Spokane Valley.
The termite you're most likely to meet in Spokane Valley is the western subterranean termite. It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture.
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.
Swarm season is when termites show themselves. In Spokane Valley, western subterranean termites usually swarm in spring, and again in fall after the first good rain. 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.
Where to look around your house.
A lot of houses around Spokane Valley 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. Standing water or a musty smell needs fixing either way. The same advice applies across the area, from Spokane Valley out to Spokane.
A year of termites in Spokane Valley.
- Spring and fall: swarm seasons. In Spokane Valley, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain. - Summer: with highs around 84°F in Spokane Valley, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs. - Fall: with about 17 inches of rain a year in Spokane Valley, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Spokane Valley, before swarm season starts.
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. 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.
Termites or ants?
- 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. - Debris: termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave sawdust. - Tunnels: termite galleries are packed with mud. Ant tunnels are clean and smooth.
Getting ready for treatment day.
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. 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.
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.
- Which termites did you find, and where? - What product or system will you use? - 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?
What affects the price
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
- Slab, crawl space, or basement construction.
- Whole-house fumigation versus spot treatment.
- Warranty type: retreatment only or damage repair.
- Annual renewal and monitoring fees.
- Extent of existing damage needing repair.
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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
Some of the work is yours. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Fix leaks and clear gutters. Keep firewood away from the house. 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.
Termites in Spokane Valley
Spokane Valley only sees about 17 inches of rain a year, so local termites gather wherever water collects, like sprinkler zones, hose bibs and AC drain lines. Termites are a steady, moderate risk in Washington. Not every house gets them, but plenty do. With summer highs around 84°F, Spokane Valley's warm summer continental climate decides when local termites are busiest. A typical home in Spokane Valley is worth around $380k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective.
Local research
Termites in Spokane Valley, WA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in Washington, when they are busiest around Spokane Valley, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Termite species recorded in Washington
- Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus) — Oregon State: causes damage to structures in the Pacific Northwest and 'may swarm any time of year'. Utah State describes swarmers 3/8 inch long and workers 1/4–3/8 inch, pale c…
- Pacific dampwood termite (Zootermopsis angusticollis) — Oregon State: 'consumes and nests inside moist, water-damaged wood'; swarms 'during late summer or fall'. A moisture problem, not a soil problem, is the usual root cause.
When termites are busiest around Spokane Valley
Pacific dampwood swarms late summer or fall; western subterranean may swarm any time of year (Oregon State).
WSU mapping project: subterranean termites 'predominantly found in loamy soils rather than clay or rocky soils', with area maps for Kitsap County, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Yakima. Dampwood termites indicate a moisture/rot problem.
Sources: University of Georgia Extension; University of Missouri Extension; Termites | Solve Pest Problems. 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.
- Keep gutters clean so water does not pool.
- Extend downspouts so water drains away from walls.
- Set deck and porch posts on concrete, not soil.
- Store firewood well away from the house, off the ground.
- Caulk gaps around plumbing and utility penetrations.
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 Spokane Valley, termites have been chewing wood for well over 100 million years, since the age of the dinosaurs.
In Spokane Valley, termites are closer cousins to cockroaches than to ants, despite the old nickname white ants.
Questions people ask
Do I have to leave my house during termite treatment?
Not for a soil treatment or bait stations. Fumigation is different. Everyone leaves for two to three days, pets and houseplants included.
Can I treat termites myself?
Prevention, yes. An active colony is harder. The product must reach the whole colony. It also needs even coverage around the foundation. Store-bought sprays usually kill only what you see.
How do I know if I have termites or flying ants?
Check the wings and the waist. Termite wings are all the same length. Ants have a pinched waist; termites don't. Save one in a bag for the inspector.
Are mud tubes always a sign of active termites?
Not always. Old tubes can stay on a wall for years. Break off a piece and check back in a week. If it's rebuilt, they're active.
What does a WDI report include?
It lists any termites or damage found. It also notes conditions that invite them, like wood touching soil. It only covers areas the inspector could reach.
Is termite fumigation common?
No. Whole-house tenting is the exception, not the rule: 16% of locations in PCT magazine's 2025 termite market report (about 145 pest-control professionals, 2024 operations) offered fumigation. A homeowner quoted a tent job is buying a specialist service. When you get quotes in Spokane Valley, ask each company what they usually see in your neighborhood.
Do most pest control companies treat existing homes for termites?
In Spokane Valley, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. In Spokane Valley, 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 Washington?
Around Spokane Valley, the usual culprit is the western 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