How Do Pest Control Companies Treat Termites in Boca Raton, Florida?

How do pest control treat termites? When homeowners in Boca Raton ask this question, the answer depends on the species and structure. 

Boca faces year-round pressure from subterranean and drywood termites, so termite control starts with identifying which type is active, then tailoring the treatment method to match your home’s design and risk areas.

Let's talk about it in depth.

Key Takeaways

• Match method to species. Subterranean termites call for soil-focused tools like bait stations and liquids; drywood termites are best addressed with fumigation or precise wood treatments.

  
  

• Expect staged results. Baits work over weeks to months, liquids reduce activity fast in treated soil, and fumigation clears drywood termites present during the treatment window.

  
  

• Inspection drives everything. Clear access, preserved evidence, and written findings turn clues into a plan you can follow—and help prevent small signs from becoming structural damage.

  
  

First Decision: Subterranean vs. Drywood

When treating termites, we start with the species. Subterranean termites and drywood termites require different termite control strategies. 

A thorough termite inspection by a pest control professional will tell you which one is active, where the termite colonies are located, and which treatment options make the most sense for your home’s structure.

Subterranean (soil-nesting) termites

If we confirm subterranean activity—think mud tubes or soil contact at the foundation—we design a plan that targets the colony and intercepts foragers.

• Sentricon® bait system: We install a monitored perimeter to eliminate the colony using a proven bait strategy.

  
  

• Liquid Defense Treatment (liquid barrier): Where appropriate, we create treated zones by trenching/rodding and, if needed, discreet slab drilling to block termite travel paths.

  
  

Drywood (in-wood colonies)

If we confirm drywood termite infestations—pellets, discarded wings, or damage in finished wood—we focus directly on the wood.

• Fumigation/Tenting (whole-structure): Best when activity is scattered or inaccessible.

  
  

• Spot/Localized treatment: Targeted injections, foams, or dusts for contained areas like trim or fascia.

  
  

Treating Subterranean Termites Around Boca Homes

Baiting for colony elimination

For a subterranean termite infestation, many pest management professionals install perimeter bait stations (e.g., Sentricon®). Workers carry a low-dose insect growth regulator through the colony, which significantly reduces its ability to produce a new colony.

In practice, very small bait amounts can lead to effective termite control. Stations are inspected on a schedule to confirm termite activity and bait consumption.

Soil termiticide at entry points

Another common approach is applying liquid termiticides to create zones of treated soil. This usually involves careful trenching/rodding along the outside foundation wall, around plumbing penetrations, cold joints, and other structural seams in or near the concrete foundation.

When needed, technicians may drill holes through slabs at specific locations and perform a limited spot treatment indoors to intercept active termites moving between underground nests and the structure. Because some liquids may not impact the off-site colony, many pest control company plans also include bait—different tools for different goals within termite control.

Why Boca specifics matter

Local construction details shape treatment options. In Boca Raton, slab-on-grade homes, stucco hairline cracks, patio or room additions, and utility penetrations change where colonies attract termites to enter, and how professionals control termites.

During a termite inspection, inspectors document conditions (for example, concealed slab edges, wood debris against a foundation wall, or moist wood near wood surfaces) and note the owner’s action items that reduce termite pressure and future termite damage.

These observations are recorded in clear, written findings so homeowners see complete details of recommended termite treatments, any potential risks of chemical treatments or wood treatments, and how to maintain contact with bait or barrier systems for effective control.

Treating Drywood Termites Common to Coastal South Florida

Whole-structure fumigation (tenting)

When drywood activity is scattered or concealed behind wall covering and trim, the most reliable answer is whole-structure fumigation. The home is tented so the fumigant reaches galleries throughout the entire structure and contacts these social insects where they live—inside the wood, not the soil.

A licensed, certified applicator manages the process and confirms safe re-entry with clearance testing. Products and labeling follow Environmental Protection Agency requirements, and homeowners receive clear instructions before and after service. 

This approach is often recommended when localized spots can’t rule out hidden galleries or when termite damage appears in multiple rooms.

Targeted, no-tent options

For limited drywood termite infestations—a windowsill, fascia, or a single room—precise wood treatments can work without tenting. After confirming galleries, a pro injects selected materials (foams/dusts/liquids) directly into infested wood. The goal is direct contact with termites inside the piece.

This is a true spot treatment for contained areas and is typically followed by scheduled inspections to verify control and check for other signs (pellets, discarded hind wings, or fresh kick-out holes).

Localized work may also include guidance on replacing severely damaged wood with treated wood and removing the wood source that keeps attracting pests.

Condo and townhome realities

In attached housing, shared walls, attics, and continuous framing can let drywood termites spread beyond one unit. Whole-structure fumigation may require coordinated scheduling across multiple residences, including temporary evacuation.

If full-building coordination isn’t possible, a pest control company may outline staged, unit-by-unit treatment options and enhanced monitoring so neighbors understand the plan the pest control company is recommending.

Why this species-specific approach matters

Drywood termites feed on cellulose material inside finished lumber; there are no mud tubes or soil trails like subterranean termites. 

Effective plans focus on the wood itself, either the entire structure (fumigation) or the exact pieces involved (localized injections). Precision helps prevent ongoing termite attack, limits future structural damage, and avoids scatter-shot do-it-yourself treatments that miss concealed galleries.

If you’re comparing options, ask for complete details on the active ingredient, application points, prep steps, possible risks, and how follow-up inspections will confirm effective control over time.

What Treatment Day Looks Like (Step-By-Step)

If bait stations are part of the plan

• Install stations around a clean, accessible perimeter.

  
  

• Mark underground utilities before any digging.

  
  

• Schedule follow-ups to confirm feeding, swap baits, and track station cycles over time.

  
  

• Note any moisture problems or nearby wood debris that can raise termite pressure—these observations go into your written findings.

If a liquid soil treatment is used

• Prepare the work area and protect nearby hardscape/landscape.

  
  

• Trench/rod along the exterior perimeter and structural seams; drill holes through slabs only where needed, then patch discreetly.

  
  

• Create a continuous zone of treated soil with labeled liquid termiticides so termites encounter the barrier as they move between soil and structure.

  
  

• Document application areas and any conditions that could affect long-term performance (e.g., concealed slab edges, excessive mulch against the foundation wall).

  
  

If whole-structure fumigation is selected (drywood termites)

• Follow a prep checklist from the licensed fumigator (bagging food/meds, securing pets/plants, exterior access).

  
  

• Tenting is installed so the fumigant reaches hidden galleries throughout the entire structure.

  
  

• Re-entry occurs only after aeration and clearance testing per label and Environmental Protection Agency requirements; you’ll receive official notice from the licensed applicator.

  
  

• After re-entry, plan a simple walkthrough to look for other signs of activity in accessible wood surfaces and discuss any needed repair of damaged wood (for example, pieces with wood rot unrelated to termites).

  
  

Paperwork and follow-through

• You’ll get a summary of what was done, areas treated, and recommended checkups. For real estate transactions, some parties request a wood-destroying insect report (terminology varies by state and lender).

  
  

• Ask for the warranty period/warranty provided details in writing, including what’s covered, any owner responsibilities, and how to request service if a termite problem reappears.

  
  

• If you’re comparing a pest control company proposing different termite treatments, review credentials, written scope, active ingredient info, and customer feedback (your local Better Business Bureau is a helpful reference for structural pest work).

  
  

How Long It Takes to See Results (And Why)

Bait systems

With a monitored bait system, colonies decline gradually as the insect growth regulator spreads through workers and reproductives. Because these social insects share food within the group, even a small amount of bait can disrupt the colony’s ability to build a new colony.

Visible activity often drops within a few weeks, but complete elimination may take several months, depending on the size of the population and surrounding termite pressure. Regular inspections confirm progress and track bait replacement cycles.

Liquid treatments

Liquid termiticides begin working on contact. When termites travel through treated zones, the active ingredient transfers between individuals, quickly reducing foraging near the barrier.

However, since liquids act where termites encounter treated soil, they may not reach the off-site nest directly. This is why many pest management professionals combine liquid and bait systems—the liquid offers fast surface protection, while bait works toward long-term colony elimination for effective control.

Fumigation

For drywood termite infestations, whole-structure fumigation provides immediate results. Once the structure is aerated and cleared according to Environmental Protection Agency label requirements, all drywood termites present during treatment are eliminated.

Because fumigation only targets the entire structure at that moment, follow-up inspections help ensure no new activity develops from external sources or untreated wood brought into the property.

Built for Boca Raton. Focused on Termites.

Meet Terminate Termite, a locally owned, termite and pest control sister company of Southeast Florida Pest Control. We’re licensed, Florida-based specialists who work on termites and other pests all day, every day, so our recommendations match the species and structures you see in Boca Raton.

What that means for your home

Termite expertise: We handle subterranean (including Formosan and Asian) and drywood termites, then tailor the plan to your property.

Proven treatment systems: We use Sentricon® for colony elimination, Liquid Defense Treatment (liquid barrier) for targeted zones, and, when appropriate, fumigation or spot/localized treatments.

Local pros, clear process: Inspections, treatments, and follow-ups are performed by trained, local technicians who explain findings in a straightforward language and build a schedule around your structure.

That’s the advantage of an expert team in Boca: focused methods, proven products, and a clear plan from inspection to long-term protection.

Contact us for a FREE quote, and let's remove those termites today!

Conclusion

Termite control in Boca Raton isn’t one-size-fits-all. 

Subterranean termites and drywood termites behave differently, so treatment starts with species ID and a careful inspection. From there, the right mix of bait systems, liquid termiticides, or whole-structure/targeted wood treatments does the heavy lifting.

Stay patient with timelines, document what you see, and keep follow-ups on the calendar so protection holds up through our humid seasons and swarm windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common signs of a termite infestation and early termite damage?

Look for hollow-sounding wood, pencil-thin mud tubes on foundations, blistered paint, frass (termite droppings), and warped doors or windows. In attics or crawl spaces, damaged joists or bubbling drywall often indicate active activity.

What termite control and pest management steps should homeowners take first?

Start with an inspection to confirm species and moisture sources, then fix leaks, improve drainage, and reduce wood-to-soil contact. Seal entry points and remove cellulose debris; follow with a professional treatment plan and scheduled monitoring.

Which termite treatments and treatment methods work best—bait systems or liquid termiticides?

Bait systems excel at colony elimination over time and are great for ongoing protection. Liquid termiticides create a treated soil zone for fast, broad coverage—often the go-to for immediate pressure. Many pros combine both for a quick knockdown plus long-term control.

Are chemical treatments effective for dampwood termites, and when are they recommended?

Yes—targeted chemical treatments can work, but fixing moisture is critical since dampwood termites require wet wood. After drying the area and correcting leaks, pros may use localized injections, spot sprays, or borate applications to eliminate remaining colonies.