The Termite Threat in East Tennessee
Eastern subterranean termites are the primary species found in the Knoxville area. They live in underground colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands of workers, and they access your home by building mud tubes from the soil up to the wood of your structure. Once inside, they consume wood from the inside out, hollowing out structural members while leaving the exterior surface intact. This is what makes termites so dangerous: the damage can be extensive before you ever see a visible sign.
Tennessee's warm climate, clay-heavy soils, and high moisture levels create ideal conditions for subterranean termites. Properties across the Greater Knoxville area are at risk regardless of age, construction type, or how well they're maintained. Annual termite inspections are the most reliable way to catch activity early, before minor damage becomes a major structural problem.
Get in Touch
Our Termite Treatment Approach
Thorough Inspection
We inspect the interior and exterior of your home, including the crawlspace, foundation, and surrounding soil, to identify active termite activity, locate entry points, and assess the extent of any damage.
Liquid Barrier Treatment
We apply professional-grade termiticide around and beneath the foundation of your home, creating a continuous chemical barrier in the soil that eliminates termites as they attempt to travel between their colony and your structure. Liquid treatments provide immediate protection and long-lasting control.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
After treatment, we continue to monitor for any signs of renewed activity. We stand behind our work and will retreat if termites return within the warranty period.
Annual Termite Inspections
Even homes that have been treated benefit from regular inspections. Termite protection products break down over time, and new activity can develop from adjacent colonies. An annual inspection catches early signs of activity before damage occurs and verifies that your existing treatment is still performing as expected.
We believe in doing the job right the first time — treating thoroughly, using proven products, and not cutting corners on application. When it comes to protecting the largest investment most people will ever make, we don't leave anything to chance. Contact our team to schedule your free termite inspection.
Signs of Termite Activity
Termites are stealthy. They work behind walls, under floors, and inside structural wood where they're invisible to homeowners. Knowing what to look for can help you catch the problem early:
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or crawlspace supports — pencil-width tubes termites build to travel between the soil and your home's wood
- Soft or hollow-sounding wood when tapped, especially around baseboards, door frames, and window sills
- Bubbling or peeling paint that resembles water damage but has no moisture source
- Discarded wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures, typically found in spring after a termite swarm
- Small holes in drywall or pinpoint-sized exit holes in wood surfaces
- Sagging floors, sticking doors, or warped window frames that weren't there before
If you notice any of these signs, contact us immediately for an inspection. Termite damage accelerates over time, and early detection makes a significant difference in treatment cost and repair scope.
Choose the Right Termite Protection for Your Property
Termite Treatment
For active infestations or homes without existing protection. Our liquid barrier treatment applies professional-grade termiticide around and beneath the foundation, creating a continuous chemical barrier that eliminates termites as they travel between their colony and your structure. Faster and more reliable than bait station programs.
Annual Termite Inspections
We offer annual termite inspections for both treated and untreated homes. If you've never had a termite inspection on your property, now is a good time to start. It's free, it's thorough, and it could save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road. Most customers discover issues they never knew existed.
Termite Pretreatment for New Construction
The most effective time to protect a home from termites is before the foundation is poured. Pretreatment applies termiticide to the soil beneath and around the foundation during construction, creating a barrier that prevents termites from accessing the structure from day one. Contact us early in the construction process to plan the right application window.
Liquid Barrier vs. Bait Stations
Liquid barrier treatments create an immediate, continuous chemical barrier in the soil around your foundation. Bait stations rely on termites finding and consuming the bait, then carrying it back to the colony, which can take significantly longer to achieve control. We use liquid treatments as our primary approach because they provide faster, more reliable protection for your home.
Borate Wood Treatment
For additional protection during new construction, we can treat the structural wood of your new home with borate, which makes the wood itself toxic to termites and other wood-destroying insects. Combined with soil pretreatment, borate application provides a comprehensive defense for new homes from the ground up..
Protect Your Home From Termites: Contact Critter Wranglers Today
Critter Wranglers is locally owned and operated, licensed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, certified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and fully bonded and insured. Termite control is one of our core specialties, and our technicians bring decades of combined experience treating homes across the Greater Knoxville area.
Your home is your biggest investment. Don't leave it unprotected. Contact us today to schedule your free termite inspection, or give us a call at (865) 973-1095.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have termites?
The most common signs are mud tubes on your foundation, hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings near windows or doors after a spring swarm, and paint that bubbles or peels without a moisture source. However, termites often cause significant damage before any visible signs appear, which is why annual inspections are so important.
How much damage can termites cause?
Subterranean termites can cause severe structural damage if left untreated. A mature colony can consume several pounds of wood per year, and because they eat wood from the inside out, the damage is often extensive by the time it's discovered. Repair costs can range from minor wood replacement to major structural work depending on how long the infestation has been active.
What's the difference between liquid treatment and bait stations?
Liquid barrier treatments create an immediate, continuous chemical barrier in the soil around your foundation. Bait stations rely on termites finding and consuming the bait, then carrying it back to the colony, which can take significantly longer to achieve control. We use liquid treatments as our primary approach because they provide faster, more reliable protection for your home.
How long does termite treatment last?
Professional liquid barrier treatments typically provide protection for several years, though the exact duration depends on the product used, soil conditions, and environmental factors. Annual inspections help verify that the treatment is still performing effectively and allow us to address any areas that may need retreatment.
Does homeowner's insurance cover termite damage?
In most cases, no. Standard homeowner's insurance policies do not cover termite damage because it's considered preventable through regular inspection and treatment. This is one of the strongest arguments for proactive termite protection rather than waiting until damage is discovered.
When should I schedule termite pretreatment for new construction?
Pretreatment should be applied before the foundation slab is poured or the crawlspace is enclosed. The timing needs to be coordinated with your builder's construction schedule. Contact us early in the construction process so we can plan the application at the right stage.
Do you offer termite control for commercial properties?
Yes. We provide termite inspections and treatments for commercial properties throughout the Knoxville area, including offices, retail buildings, multi-unit housing, and most commercial construction. We also offer pretreatment for commercial construction projects.