Dampwood Termite Control
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Dampwood Termite Treatment
Stride Pest Control provides dampwood termite control for homes and businesses across Central Texas, where these large termites infest wood kept wet by leaks, poor drainage, or decay. Dampwood termites are less common than subterranean termites, but finding them is a red flag, because they only move into wood with a serious moisture problem.
Stride treats dampwood termites through the Stride Forward integrated pest management process, and because moisture is what draws them, correcting the water problem and replacing damaged wood is central to the fix, alongside targeted treatment of the infested wood.
Every treatment is backed by a same-day service option and a satisfaction guarantee. Dampwood termites are one of several termites Stride treats, covered under our broader termite control and general pest control services.
Dampwood Termites In Central Texas
The dampwood termite is the one that only shows up where there is a moisture problem, which makes it as much a warning sign as a pest.
| Trait | Dampwood Termite |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Among the largest termites, with sizable swarmers |
| What they need | Wood kept wet by leaks, poor drainage, or decay |
| Where they infest | Water-damaged framing, sills, decks, and wood touching damp ground |
| Not a dry-wood pest | They rarely attack sound, dry wood |
| The real signal | Their presence points to a chronic moisture problem |
| Less common | Rarer here than subterranean termites, but destructive where moisture allows |
Because dampwood termites depend on wet wood, the moisture problem behind them is often as serious as the termites themselves.
Signs You Have Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites turn up where water has already done damage:
- Termites in water-damaged or decaying wood, often near leaks.
- Wood that feels soft, spongy, or wet to the touch.
- Large swarmers around damp areas of the structure.
- Leaks, poor drainage, or standing water near the infested wood.
- Damage concentrated at damp spots like sills, decks, and crawl spaces.
Are Dampwood Termites Dangerous?
Dampwood termites are a structural pest, and their presence doubles as a moisture warning. They target wood that is already compromised by water, so an infestation usually means both termite damage and an underlying rot or leak problem.
They are less common in Central Texas than subterranean termites, but where chronic moisture lets them establish, they can do serious damage to sills, framing, and decks. Correcting the water problem is as important as treating the termites.
How We Get Rid of Dampwood Termites
Stride treats dampwood termites through the five-step Stride Forward process, with moisture at the center:
- Inspect. We find the damp, damaged wood and trace the moisture source behind it.
- Identify. We confirm dampwood termites and assess the extent of the water damage.
- Recommend. We flag the leaks, drainage, and damaged wood to fix, since correcting moisture is essential.
- Treat. We treat the infested wood directly and advise on replacing the water-damaged wood, because dampwood termites will return to any wood that stays wet.
- Evaluate. We follow up to confirm the termites are gone and the moisture is resolved.
Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.
How to Keep Dampwood Termites Away
Keeping dampwood termites out is almost entirely about moisture:
- Fix leaks, drainage, and standing water around the structure.
- Replace water-damaged wood before termites move in.
- Keep wood off damp ground and away from sprinklers.
- Ventilate crawl spaces to keep wood dry.
- Direct downspouts and grading away from the foundation.
Dampwood Termite Control Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dampwood termites?
Wood kept wet by leaks, poor drainage, or decay. Dampwood termites only infest high-moisture wood, so finding them almost always means there is a water problem to fix.
Are dampwood termites as damaging as subterranean termites?
They are less common here, but destructive where moisture lets them establish. The moisture problem behind them is often serious in its own right, so both need to be addressed.
How do I get rid of dampwood termites?
Fix the moisture source, replace the water-damaged wood, and treat the infested wood. Without correcting the moisture, dampwood termites will simply return.
Do I have dampwood or subterranean termites?
Dampwood termites are large and live in wet, decaying wood, while subterranean termites nest in soil and build mud tubes. An inspection confirms which one you have and the right treatment.
THE STRIDE FORWARD PROGRAM
Our Strategic ECO-BASED Protocol
Stride Forward is our Integrated Pest Management program where we partner with our clients in the long-term removal and prevention of pests. Keeping your property free of unwanted insects and rodents works best when we work together.
The program combines habitat manipulation, biological control, cultural behavior changes, and the targeted use of products designed to repel or eradicate pests. Our approach follows five steps, with non-chemical methods prioritized before any product application.
Our Certifications & Awards
Stride Pest Control holds QualityPro and GreenPro certifications through the NPMA’s Foundation for Professional Pest Management, and fewer than 3% of pest control companies nationwide hold both. QualityPro requires background checks on every service member, a drug-free workplace, and 16 standards that exceed state and federal requirements.
Our Austin and Round Rock office operates under Texas Department of Agriculture license TPCL #667951, with Burton Johnston as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our San Antonio office operates under TPCL #827449, with Alex Randall as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our office manager, Michael Honeycutt, is an Associate Certified Entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.
Founded in 2013, we have served nearly 12,000 customers across Central Texas and hold a 4.9-star rating across 2,400+ reviews with an A+ from the BBB.
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Stride Pest Control received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars
based on 2,400+ reviews.
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