Termite Inspection — New York City, NY
Eastern subterranean termites cause structural damage that stays hidden for years. NYSDEC-licensed termite inspectors serving all 5 boroughs. WDI reports available for real estate transactions.
New York City, NY · NYSDEC Licensed · Termidor & Sentricon Certified
Termite swarmers spotted in spring? Act quickly. Swarms mean an established colony is nearby. Call (917) 203-6158 for a same-day inspection.
Termites in New York City
New York City has significant eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) activity, particularly in older wood-frame homes built before 1960. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands of workers. They build mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels of soil — from the ground up to the wood they are feeding on, allowing them to maintain the humidity they need while moving through exposed areas. This makes them notoriously difficult to detect; structural damage can accumulate for years before visible signs appear.
New York City's older housing stock creates particularly favorable conditions for termite activity. Pre-war construction in Park Slope, Harlem, the Upper West Side, and across Brooklyn and Queens often features wood that has been in contact with soil for decades, moisture-damaged framing from aging plumbing, and crawl spaces with inadequate moisture barriers. Spring swarm season in New York runs from March through May — the most visible sign of an established termite colony. WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspection reports are available for real estate transactions and mortgage requirements.
How We Treat Termites in New York City
- Termidor liquid soil barrier — Termiticide injected around the entire foundation perimeter; creates an undetectable treated zone with 10+ year protection under normal soil conditions
- Sentricon bait station system — In-ground bait stations installed at intervals around the property; continuous colony elimination through bait transfer back to the queen
- Annual inspection — Confirmation that barrier remains intact; early detection of new activity or treatment gaps
- Mud tube removal and structural assessment — Documentation of affected areas and damage assessment to inform any needed repairs
Termites in New York City — FAQ
What are the signs of termites in a New York City home?
The key signs of eastern subterranean termites in NYC include: mud tubes (pencil-width tunnels of soil and saliva) running along foundation walls, floor joists, piers, or pipes in the basement or crawl space; discarded wings near windows and doors in spring (March–May) after the annual swarm; hollow-sounding wood when tapped; buckling or blistered paint that resembles water damage; and visible damage to wood that reveals packed soil-filled galleries. Spring swarm season is the most visible sign — thousands of winged reproductive termites emerge from established colonies. If you see swarming insects in or around your home in spring, do not assume they are flying ants; have them identified immediately.
How do you treat termites in New York City?
We use two primary termite treatment approaches in New York City: Termidor liquid soil barrier treatment, where Termidor HE termiticide is injected into the soil around the entire foundation perimeter, creating an undetectable treated zone that termites pass through and transfer to other colony members; and the Sentricon bait station system, where in-ground bait stations are installed around the property perimeter and checked annually — termites recruit nestmates to the bait, which is shared back to the colony queen. We assess each property to determine which approach or combination is best suited. Both methods target the entire colony, not just foragers.
How long does termite treatment last in New York City?
Termidor liquid soil barrier treatment remains effective for 10 or more years under normal soil conditions when applied correctly by a licensed applicator. The Sentricon bait station program is a continuous monitoring and control system — stations remain in the ground indefinitely and are checked annually. We recommend annual termite inspections for all New York City homes regardless of prior treatment to confirm no new activity and to catch any gaps in the treatment zone.
WDI Reports for NYC Real Estate Transactions
Buying or selling a home in New York City? Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) inspection reports document the presence or absence of termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and other wood-destroying organisms. These reports are commonly required by mortgage lenders and are standard practice in real estate transactions throughout New York City.
Our WDI inspection report covers the entire structure — interior and exterior, basement and crawl space, all accessible wood members — and is performed by a NYSDEC-licensed inspector. Reports are typically provided within 24 hours of the inspection.
Termite Inspections Across New York City
Schedule a Termite Inspection in NYC
NYSDEC-licensed inspectors. Termidor and Sentricon certified. WDI reports available. All 5 boroughs.