The short version
Most termite problems in Tacoma 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 Tacoma, 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. Average winter lows near 36°F slow termites near the surface around Tacoma, but they move deeper and keep feeding under heated homes. Spongy floors or bubbling paint usually mean long-running damage. So it's worth an inspection, even for one or two signs.
- 1Sagging or spongy floors near exterior walls.
- 2Crumbling baseboards behind furniture.
- 3Mud in cracks of subfloor or joists.
- 4Blistered or bubbling paint on wood surfaces.
- 5Tiny pinholes in drywall rimmed with mud.
- 6Doors and windows that suddenly stick.
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.
📅
Termite activity through the year in Tacoma
Spring
swarm seasons. In Tacoma, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain.
Summer
with highs around 77°F in Tacoma, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs.
Fall
with about 40 inches of rain a year in Tacoma, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
Winter
a good time to book an inspection in Tacoma, 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
Borate is brushed or sprayed onto bare wood in crawl spaces. Termites that eat treated wood around a Tacoma home die, and the protection lasts as long as the wood stays dry.
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Small drywood spots, wall voids, and exposed framing
Bait Station System with Monitoring
$1,500–$3,500 install, plus $300–$500 per year
Each station holds cellulose bait laced with a chitin synthesis inhibitor. Workers around a Tacoma home share it, cannot molt, and the colony dies over weeks to months.
- Time
- 2–4 hours to install; checked quarterly
- Best for
- Colony elimination, wells and slabs, homes near water
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.
Crawl spaces are where termites usually get in. Joists, piers and the sill plate should all get a close look.How treatment works on a typical Tacoma home.
The stations are checked on a schedule, often every few months. Termites carry the bait back to the colony. They're spaced every 10 to 20 feet. Bait stations are the other main option. Fix any moisture under the house too. They also treat around piers and plumbing. With a crawl space, the crew treats soil outside and underneath.
Which termites live around Tacoma.
The termite you're most likely to meet in Tacoma 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 Tacoma, 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma out to Federal Way and Auburn.
A year of termites in Tacoma.
- Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Tacoma, before swarm season starts. - Fall: with about 40 inches of rain a year in Tacoma, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Summer: with highs around 77°F in Tacoma, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs. - Spring and fall: swarm seasons. In Tacoma, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain.
What happens at an inspection.
Photos help. Afterward, ask them to show you what they found. A moisture meter and a probe help them find hidden activity. They'll also go into the crawl space. Inside, they check the garage, baseboards, plumbing gaps and the attic. They check the foundation, the soil line and nearby wood. The inspector walks the outside of the house first. Most inspections take an hour or two.
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.
Any drill holes in a slab or patio get patched. Ask how long to stay off treated soil. Keep pets and kids inside while the crew works outside. Mark sprinkler heads and any buried lines. Move stored boxes away from garage walls. Clear a path along the outside walls. Soil treatments and bait stations need little prep.
Mulch and termites.
Wood chips right against siding hold moisture termites like. A dry strip along the house lets you spot mud tubes. Keep mulch thin and pull it back from the foundation.
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
- Species: subterranean, drywood, or Formosan.
- Wells, drains, or water features limiting chemical use.
- Extent of existing damage needing repair.
- Time of year and how booked up local companies are.
- Attached garages, decks, and additions.
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
📊
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
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 Tacoma
A local provider who knows Tacoma and Washington can point out the specific conditions that matter most here before you commit to a plan. In Tacoma, take a minute to note where you have seen activity and when it appears, so the inspection is faster and the quote more accurate. In Tacoma, 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. Tacoma has a marine west coast climate, and termites activity here tends to pick up spring swarm season (March-May), warmer earlier in the south. A typical home in Tacoma is worth around $470k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective. With summer highs around 77°F, Tacoma's marine west coast climate decides when local termites are busiest. Not every house gets them, but plenty do. Termites are a steady, moderate risk in Washington. About 40 inches of rain a year in Tacoma is plenty for subterranean termites, especially on any side of the house kept damp by gutters or sprinklers.
Local research
Termites in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, 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 Tacoma
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 mulch at least a foot from the foundation.
- Remove tree stumps and buried wood near the house.
- Install a vapor barrier over crawl space soil.
- Paint or seal exposed exterior wood.
- Check the foundation for mud tubes every spring.
- Grade soil to slope away from the foundation.
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?
In Tacoma, termites are closer cousins to cockroaches than to ants, despite the old nickname white ants.
Some African termite mounds stand more than 25 feet tall.
Questions people ask
Will termites come back after treatment?
That's what yearly inspections and renewal plans are for. Treatments wear down and new colonies move in. They can.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a house?
Ask your agent when it's due. Either way, it's cheap peace of mind. Many lenders ask for a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report. Usually, yes.
What is the difference between subterranean and drywood termites?
Around Tacoma, the subterranean kind causes most problems. Drywood termites live inside the wood and leave tiny pellets. Subterranean termites live in soil and build mud tubes.
Does fumigation kill subterranean termites too?
It doesn't reach a colony living in the soil. Tenting clears termites inside the house. Not reliably.
Can I treat termites myself?
Store-bought sprays usually kill only what you see. It also needs even coverage around the foundation. The product must reach the whole colony. An active colony is harder. Prevention, yes.
Are termite treatment prices going up?
In Tacoma, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. In Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, the usual culprit is the western subterranean termite.
Nearby cities
Related guides
Sources (10)
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