Key takeaways
- Ground treatment targets subterranean termites, which nest in the soil; it does nothing for drywood termites living inside wood.
- Liquid termiticides keep termites out of the treated soil but may not eliminate colonies nearby, according to UF/IFAS.
- Bait stations spread a slow-acting growth inhibitor through the colony; UF/IFAS says a Formosan colony takes about 3 months to die.
- Over-the-counter products are unlikely to control Formosan termites, and native subterranean treatments must be applied by licensed professionals.
- Florida termite warranties come in three types: retreatment only, retreatment and repair, and spot or no warranty.
In this article
Termite ground treatment is any treatment applied to the soil around and under a building to stop subterranean termites before they reach the wood. There are two main approaches: a liquid termiticide that creates a treated zone in the soil, and bait stations installed in the ground that carry a slow-acting toxicant back to the colony.
Both target the same enemy. Subterranean termites nest in moist soil and travel to your home through hidden tunnels and mud tubes, so the soil is where they are stopped. This guide explains how each method works, what to expect on treatment day, what ground treatment cannot do and how to choose the right option for a South Florida home.
Why Subterranean Termites Need a Soil Treatment
South Florida has three subterranean termites that cause most structural damage: the native eastern subterranean termite, the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite. All three live in the soil, need moisture and reach buildings through cracks, joints and mud tubes.
Their colonies are large and spread out. UF/IFAS reports that eastern subterranean colonies may contain 100,000 to 1,000,000 termites and forage up to 150 feet, and that Formosan colonies of several million have been found foraging up to about 100 meters in the field. A colony that big will not be stopped by spraying the termites you see on a wall.
Ground treatment does nothing for drywood termites, which live inside wood without soil contact. Those are handled with spot treatments or tent fumigation. If you are not sure which you have, get the species identified first; UF/IFAS notes that detection and management approaches vary by species, so have the termites identified first.
How Liquid Soil Termiticides Work
A liquid termiticide is mixed according to its label and applied to the soil so that termites moving through it pick up a lethal dose or are kept out of the treated zone. According to UF/IFAS, the liquids commonly applied after construction are non-repellent: termites do not avoid them and keep tunneling through the treated soil.
Pre-Construction Treatment
In Florida, protection starts before the house is finished. FDACS describes three pre-construction options:
- A chemical soil barrier, called a termite pre-treatment, applied under and around the foundation before the slab is poured
- Direct treatment of the bottom third of the wood framing before insulation and drywall go in
- A baiting or monitoring system with stations around the property’s perimeter
The company must issue a warranty for new-construction treatment, and FDACS notes it can be renewed annually for at least four more years.
Post-Construction Treatment
Treating an existing home is more involved, because the slab, patios and walls are already in place. UF/IFAS lists the main methods: trenching and treating the soil around the perimeter, drilling and injecting through the foundation or slab, and injecting into cracks, crevices or wall voids.
State guidelines show how detailed this work is. North Carolina’s structural pest control guidance, for example, describes:
- Trenching and rodding along foundation walls, with trenches at least 6 inches deep
- Drilling slabs along cracks and construction joints at 12-inch intervals, because termites can enter from beneath a slab that is only trenched around the outside
- Treating hollow block walls by drilling and injecting the voids
- Protecting drains, so termiticide does not enter French drains or drain tile
Exact rates and methods come from the product label and state rules, which is one reason this work is done by licensed applicators.
What Liquid Treatment Can and Cannot Do
Liquids protect the treated zone, not the whole neighborhood. UF/IFAS notes that termites can die before passing the chemical to nestmates, so protection around a treated structure is possible, but eliminating the surrounding colony activity is unlikely. In the words of a UF/IFAS termite scientist, liquid termiticides only temporarily keep colonies out of an area.
Moisture is the other weak point. FDACS warns that moisture from leaks, poor grading and sprinklers can break down chemical barriers in the soil.
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How Termite Bait Systems Work
Bait systems flip the approach: instead of blocking termites, they feed them. Stations are placed in the ground around the structure. According to UF/IFAS, they contain chitin-synthesis inhibitors, compounds that stop termites from forming a new outer skin. Workers feed on the bait, share it with nestmates and die several weeks later when they try to molt, and the rest of the colony starves.
Baits are slow by design. UF/IFAS says it takes about 3 months for all workers in a Formosan colony to molt and die. The slow, dose-independent action gives workers time to share the bait through the colony before they die. Stations must be checked on a schedule and replenished while termites are feeding; see how often termite bait stations should be checked.
North Carolina’s guidance adds that baits suit structures with a well, infested areas that are hard to reach or owners with pesticide concerns, and that they can significantly reduce or replace the need for liquid treatment.
Liquid Treatment vs. Bait Stations at a Glance
| Liquid soil termiticide | Bait system | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Keep termites out of the treated soil zone | Eliminate the colonies that feed on the bait |
| How it is applied | Trenching, rodding, drilling the slab, injecting voids | Stations installed in the soil around the structure |
| Effect on the colony | Protects the structure; colonies nearby may survive | Designed to eliminate the colony, including the queen |
| Speed | Acts on termites that tunnel into treated soil | Slow; about 3 months for a Formosan colony (UF/IFAS) |
| Disruption | Drilling and trenching may be needed | No drilling into the slab, no trenches |
| Ongoing care | Inspections; retreatment if termites return | Regular station checks and bait replacement |
What Ground Treatment Will Not Fix
Ground treatment works best on a house that is not working against it. Before and after treatment, fix the conditions that keep subterranean termites close:
- Repair plumbing leaks and AC condensate lines that wet the soil.
- Keep sprinklers at least 1 foot from the walls and aim them away from the house.
- Keep mulch thin near the foundation and leave a clear strip so mud tubes stay visible.
- Remove wood, stumps and form boards in contact with the soil.
Even the best treatment cannot repair damage that already happened, and it will not stop termites already established inside a wall if that area was not treated. That is why a full inspection comes first.
How to Choose a Termite Treatment and Contract
Before you sign anything, make sure the company is a licensed pest control company and that you understand exactly what the contract covers. FDACS explains that Florida termite warranties come in three types:
- Retreatment only if termites come back
- Retreatment and repair, which generally costs more
- Spot or no warranty, for spot treatments
Ask which species was found, which method is recommended and why, how often the property will be inspected and what you need to do to keep the warranty valid. If you are wondering why some infestations take longer to solve than others, read how difficult termites are to treat, and for the factors that shape a quote, see how much termite treatment costs.
How Toro Handles Subterranean Termites
At Toro, every job starts with a free inspection: a trained technician identifies the termite species and checks how far the damage goes. For subterranean termites, Toro installs the Sentricon baiting system around the property. Bait stations go into the soil with no drilling into the slab and no trenches, termites carry the bait back to the colony, which is designed to eliminate it, including the queen, and the stations stay in place for year-round protection against new colonies.
The stations are installed and serviced by technicians trained in termite baiting at the TORO Institute, working with our on-staff entomologists. Toro has protected Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys since 1969, and if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you. Learn more about our termite control service, or read our guide to subterranean termites and the damage they hide.
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305-594-4767Frequently Asked Questions
How long does termite ground treatment last?
Do I need to leave the house during a termite soil treatment?
Can I do termite ground treatment myself?
What does a pre-construction termite treatment include?
Is termite baiting better than liquid treatment?
Sources
- Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus (EDIS IN278), UF/IFAS Extension
- Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes, R. virginicus, R. hageni (EDIS IN369), UF/IFAS Extension
- Post-Construction Subterranean Termite Control, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Protecting Yourself and Your Property Against Subterranean Termites, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Termite Season: UF/IFAS Scientist Answers Common Questions, Corrects Misconceptions, UF/IFAS News
Educational content. This article is for general information about pests in South Florida and is not medical, legal or professional advice. If you have a bite, sting or allergic reaction, contact your doctor; in an emergency, call 911. Pest problems vary from home to home, so a licensed professional should inspect before treatment. When using any pesticide, always read and follow the product label.
