They could be eating your house right now.
Most homeowners in Ontario think termites are a southern problem. They’re wrong. Subterranean termites have been confirmed in Toronto, Hamilton, and several areas across southern Ontario. They’re less common than in the US, but when they show up, the damage is the same — and most homeowners don’t know they’re there until the floor feels soft or a wall buckles.
Termites work from the inside out. They enter through the soil, build mud tubes up your foundation, and eat the wood from the inside — leaving the painted surface intact while the structural lumber behind it turns to sawdust. By the time the damage is visible, it’s usually extensive.
We offer thorough termite inspections for homeowners who want peace of mind — whether you’re buying a home, selling one, or just noticed something that worried you. If we find activity, we have the treatment methods to deal with it.
Warning signs of termite activity
- Mud tubes on foundation walls — pencil-thin tunnels made of soil and wood particles running from the ground up into your structure
- Hollow-sounding wood when you tap on baseboards, door frames, or floor joists
- Buckling or blistering paint on wood surfaces with no apparent moisture source
- Swarms of small winged insects inside your home, especially in spring — termite swarmers look like flying ants but have straight antennae and equal-length wings
- Small piles of wing fragments near windows or doors after a swarm
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick or don’t close properly — could indicate structural shifting from termite damage
- Soft or crumbling wood in the basement, crawl space, or around the foundation
How we inspect and treat
Inspection: We go through your home systematically — foundation walls, basement, crawl spaces, sill plates, floor joists, window frames, door frames, and any wood-to-soil contact points. We use moisture meters and probing tools to check behind surfaces. A thorough inspection takes 1-2 hours depending on home size.
If we find termites: The standard treatment for subterranean termites in Ontario is a liquid soil treatment (termiticide barrier). We trench around the foundation and apply a non-repellent product that termites can’t detect. As they pass through the treated soil, they carry the product back to the colony. This creates a continuous barrier that both kills active termites and prevents new ones from entering.
For severe or hard-to-reach infestations: We may use bait stations — in-ground monitoring devices that contain a slow-acting bait. Termites feed on the bait and share it with the colony, including the queen. This is particularly effective for colonies that are difficult to reach with liquid treatment alone.
Post-treatment monitoring: We install monitoring stations around your foundation perimeter and check them on a regular schedule. Termites can re-colonize from adjacent properties, so ongoing monitoring is important even after successful treatment.
What to expect
- Inspection: Takes 1-2 hours. We check every accessible area where termites could enter or cause damage. You’ll get a written report of our findings.
- If clear: We’ll tell you what to watch for and recommend any preventive measures (like eliminating wood-to-soil contact or fixing moisture issues).
- If activity is found: We present treatment options with clear pricing. Liquid barrier treatment is typically done in one day. Bait station installation is also a one-day job with ongoing monitoring visits.
- Timeline: Liquid treatments begin killing termites immediately. Full colony elimination typically takes 1-3 months as the product spreads through the colony.
Get a free quote for termite inspection
Common questions about termite inspection
Are termites really a problem in Ontario?
Subterranean termites have been documented in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, and other parts of southern Ontario. They’re less prevalent than in the US, but infestations do occur and are likely increasing with warmer winters. If you’re in the GTA, the risk is real.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
Our termite inspections start at $150-300 depending on home size. If treatment is needed, inspection costs are often applied to the treatment price. We believe early detection saves money — finding termites early means less damage and less expensive treatment.
How do I know if I have termites or carpenter ants?
Termites leave mud tubes and eat wood from the inside, leaving the surface intact. Carpenter ants leave clean sawdust (frass) and don’t eat the wood — they just tunnel through it. Termite swarmers have straight antennae and equal-length wings; ant swarmers have elbowed antennae and unequal wings. We’ll identify the pest correctly before recommending treatment.
Should I get a termite inspection before buying a home?
Absolutely, especially for older homes in southern Ontario. A termite inspection should be part of your due diligence. Hidden termite damage can cost tens of thousands to repair. The inspection is a small price for that peace of mind.
Does homeowner insurance cover termite damage?
Almost never. In Ontario, most home insurance policies explicitly exclude termite damage because it’s considered preventable with regular maintenance and inspection. That makes early detection even more important.