Termites in New Braunfels, TX
Seeing mud tubes, wings, or swarmers? See our termite treatment or call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for an inspection.
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Central Texas, and they often do years of damage before anyone notices. This guide covers how to identify termites, the signs of an infestation, when termites swarm, and how they differ from carpenter ants.
What Termites Look Like
Most termites in Central Texas are subterranean termites, which live in the soil and travel into homes through mud tubes. Workers are about 1/8 inch long, soft-bodied, and creamy white. Soldiers have larger brown heads with jaws. Swarmers, the winged reproductives, are dark brown to black with four wings of equal length.
A termite colony can range from a few hundred to several million termites. Queens can live for decades, and in established colonies a single queen can lay over a thousand eggs a day.
Signs of Termites
The most common sign of termites in Central Texas is mud tubes, pencil-width tunnels of soil running up the foundation, slab, or walls. Other signs include:
- Discarded wings on windowsills, near doors, or in spider webs
- Swarmers indoors, especially in spring
- Hollow-sounding wood or wood that crumbles when pressed
- Bubbling or peeling paint and sagging drywall
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick as framing is damaged
Termites vs Carpenter Ants
Termites have a thick waist, straight antennae, and four equal-length wings, and they leave mud tubes. Carpenter ants have a pinched waist, elbowed antennae, longer front wings, and leave sawdust-like frass. See the full comparison table on our carpenter ant page.
When Do Termites Swarm in Texas?
Subterranean termites in Texas usually swarm in spring, often on a warm day after rain. Swarmers indoors almost always mean a colony is in or near the structure. Learn more on our termite swarmers page.
Why Termites Are a Year-Round Threat in Central Texas
Termites feed on cellulose, including wood, leaf litter, and other plant material, and they stay active year round in Central Texas. Fall and winter are the best time to install bait stations because termites forage closer to the structure in colder months. Moisture, wood touching soil, and mulch against the foundation all raise the risk.
How to Get Rid of Termites
Store bought products cannot reach a subterranean colony living in the soil, and spraying the termites you can see does not stop the colony. Lasting control starts with a professional inspection and targeted treatment at the source.
Camo Pest Control provides termite inspections, treatment, bait stations, WDI reports, and pre-construction termite treatment. See our termite treatment services.
Think you have termites? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) to schedule a termite inspection.
Areas We Serve
Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed.
- New Braunfels
- Canyon Lake
- Garden Ridge
- Gruene
- Buda
- Bulverde
- Cibolo
- Kyle
- La Vernia
- Spring Branch
- McQueeney
- San Antonio
- San Marcos
- Schertz
- Seguin
Termite FAQs
Look for mud tubes on the foundation or walls, discarded wings near windows and doors, swarmers indoors, and wood that sounds hollow or crumbles. Mud tubes are the most reliable sign of subterranean termites.
Termite swarmers are dark brown to black, about 3/8 inch long including wings, with straight antennae, a thick waist, and four wings of equal length. They often shed their wings soon after swarming.
Yes. Termites stay active year round in Central Texas. They forage closer to the structure in colder months, which is why fall and winter are a good time to install bait stations.
Subterranean termites travel from the soil through mud tubes and enter through cracks in the slab, expansion joints, plumbing penetrations, and anywhere wood touches soil.
No. Termites are not a threat to people or pets. The danger is to the structure of your home, since they feed on wood and other cellulose.
Store bought products rarely reach a subterranean termite colony, which lives in the soil and can contain thousands to millions of termites. A professional inspection and treatment is the reliable way to stop them.
Start with a professional termite inspection to confirm activity and choose the right treatment. Learn more about our termite treatment services.