Signs You Have Termites in Your Long Island Home
You have termites in your Long Island home if you see pencil-thin mud tubes running up foundation walls, discarded wings on window sills in April or May, hollow-sounding wood along sills and door frames, or clouds of small dark winged insects swarming against sunny windows. Eastern subterranean termites are the dominant species across Nassau and Suffolk County and enter homes from the soil, favoring damp basement corners, crawl spaces, and porch supports. Older Nassau homes with concrete slab additions and Suffolk homes on high-water-table lots are especially exposed. Any visible mud tube on a foundation wall is a strong signal of an active colony and warrants immediate inspection.
How Bobby Bugs Treats Termites
Bobby Bugs treats termites on Long Island with a free inspection, a clear scope of work, and either a targeted partial treatment or a full perimeter liquid or bait system. Expect a written 1-year guarantee on partial work or 2-year guarantee on full treatments.
- 1Free on-site inspection: mud tube mapping, moisture readings, and swarm evidence.
- 2Written estimate that specifies partial versus full scope and guarantee length.
- 3Trenching, drilling, or bait station installation depending on scope.
- 4Application of a labeled non-repellent termiticide or installation of an in-ground bait system.
- 5Written 1-year (partial) or 2-year (full) guarantee.
- 6Optional annual inspection service to keep the guarantee current beyond the initial term.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Termites?
Most Long Island termite treatments are completed in one to two visits. Liquid barrier work is done in a single day for a typical house and creates a continuous protection zone immediately, while in-ground bait station systems begin working within weeks and eliminate colonies over 3 to 6 months. Swarming stops quickly after treatment. The 1-year partial or 2-year full guarantee runs from the treatment date and covers reactivation inside that window.
How to Keep Termites From Coming Back
To keep termites away from your Long Island home, maintain a clear inspection strip of at least six inches between soil, mulch and siding, keep firewood off the ground and away from foundation walls, direct downspouts several feet away from the house, and repair any leaks that keep basement or crawl-space wood damp. Watch April and May window sills for discarded wings. Bobby Bugs recommends an annual termite inspection, priced at a fair rate, on any property with prior activity or wooded exposure.
More resources
- Visit our full services list.
- See every area we serve across Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and The Bronx.
- See our termite inspection page.
- See our carpenter ant treatment page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of termites?
First signs of termites on Long Island include pencil-thin mud tubes on foundation walls and pier posts, discarded wings on window sills in April and May, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Bubbling or blistering paint on trim is another common tell. A free inspection confirms live activity.
When do termites swarm on Long Island?
Eastern subterranean termites swarm on Long Island most often in April and May, especially on the first warm day after rain. You will see clouds of small dark winged insects near the foundation or against sunny windows indoors. Discarded wings collecting on sills are usually the clearest evidence of a swarm.
What is the difference between a partial and full termite treatment?
A partial termite treatment addresses one clearly defined active area, such as a single wall or an attached porch, and carries a 1-year written guarantee. A full treatment addresses the entire foundation perimeter with a continuous liquid barrier or a full bait station system and carries a 2-year written guarantee.
Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Almost never. Standard homeowners policies exclude termite damage on Long Island because it is considered a preventable maintenance issue. That is why the smart move financially is a a fair rate inspection or free estimate at the first sign of mud tubes or swarmers, long before framing or subfloor repair is on the table.