The short version
Most termite problems in Spokane 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, 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 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.
- 1Damage found during a remodel or repair.
- 2Layered, honeycombed wood packed with soil.
- 3Doors and windows that suddenly stick.
- 4Blistered or bubbling paint on wood surfaces.
- 5Buckling laminate or warped hardwood flooring.
- 6Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
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
Spring
swarm seasons. For Spokane homes, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain.
Summer
with highs around 84°F in Spokane, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs.
Fall
with about 17 inches of rain a year in Spokane, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
Winter
a good time to book an inspection in Spokane, 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
Localized Wood, Foam, and Borate Treatment
$250–$1,500
A local treatment is cheaper than fumigation but only covers what the Spokane technician can find. Hidden drywood galleries elsewhere in the house are not touched.
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Small drywood spots, wall voids, and exposed framing
Annual Renewal and Monitoring
$150–$400 per year
Termites do not stop foraging after a treatment, so monitoring matters. Yearly visits to a Spokane 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)
Crews in Spokane dig a shallow trench against the foundation, rod termiticide into the soil, and backfill. Fipronil-type products are widely published to last five years or more.
- 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.How treatment works on a typical Spokane home.
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. 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.
Which termites live around Spokane.
It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture. The termite you're most likely to meet in Spokane is the western subterranean termite.
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.
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. For Spokane homes, western subterranean termites usually swarm in spring, and again in fall after the first good rain.
Where to look around your house.
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 out to Spokane Valley. A lot of houses around Spokane are built over crawl spaces, and that's usually where termites start. Take a flashlight underneath.
A year of termites in Spokane.
- Summer: with highs around 84°F in Spokane, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs. - Fall: with about 17 inches of rain a year in Spokane, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Spokane, before swarm season starts. - Spring and fall: swarm seasons. For Spokane homes, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain.
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?
- 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. - Wings: termite wings are all the same length. Ant wings aren’t.
Getting ready for treatment day.
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. Clear a path along the outside walls. Move stored boxes away from garage walls.
Mulch and termites.
A dry strip along the house lets you spot mud tubes. Wood chips right against siding hold moisture termites like. Keep mulch thin and pull it back from the foundation.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- 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? - Which termites did you find, and where?
What affects the price
- Attached garages, decks, and additions.
- Access to crawl spaces and attics.
- Liquid barrier versus bait station system.
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
- Annual renewal and monitoring fees.
- Warranty type: retreatment only or damage 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
Spokane 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's warm summer continental climate decides when local termites are busiest. A typical home in Spokane is worth around $370k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective. Spokane has a warm summer continental climate, and termites activity here tends to pick up spring swarm season (March-May), warmer earlier in the south. For Spokane homes, most of the housing is urban, so the usual entry points, moisture spots, and sheltered areas near the structure are what an inspection checks first. For Spokane homes, take a minute to note where you have seen activity and when it appears, so the inspection is faster and the quote more accurate. A local provider who knows Spokane and Washington can point out the specific conditions that matter most here before you commit to a plan.
Local research
Termites in Spokane, 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, 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
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 six inches between soil and siding or wood.
- Keep gutters clean so water does not pool.
- Repair rotting trim, fascia, and window frames.
- Install a vapor barrier over crawl space soil.
- Seal cracks in the foundation and slab.
An inspection starts outside, with a flashlight along the foundation line where mud tubes show up first.Did you know?
For Spokane homes, termites have been chewing wood for well over 100 million years, since the age of the dinosaurs.
For Spokane homes, some tropical termites grow fungus gardens inside the nest and eat the harvest.
Questions people ask
Is termite treatment safe for kids and pets?
Used according to the label, yes. Soil treatments stay in the ground. Bait stations are locked and buried. Ask for the label and follow any re-entry times.
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.
How long does termite treatment take?
A liquid barrier takes half a day to a day. Bait stations take a few hours to install. Fumigation takes two to three days.
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.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a house?
Usually, yes. Many lenders ask for a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report. Either way, it's cheap peace of mind. Ask your agent when it's due.
Can I pay for termite monitoring without a full treatment?
Sometimes. Not every company sells it. For Spokane homes, if you want a watchful eye without committing to treatment, fewer than half of companies sell that: 42% of locations in PCT magazine's 2025 termite market report (about 145 pest-control professionals, 2024 operations) offered inspection or monitoring only. Treat it as a rough guide, not a local count.
Are termite treatment prices going up?
For Spokane homes, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. For Spokane 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 Washington?
Around Spokane, 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