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Termites cause a lot of damage in Missouri, and a lot of what homeowners believe about them is wrong. Zip Zap Pest, a Lawson company led by a Board-Certified Entomologist, hears the same misconceptions on inspections across the Northland every year. Below are five of the most common myths and what the science actually says, followed by five local companies that handle termite work in the area.
Which termite myths do Missouri homeowners believe most?
Myth 1: Are Missouri winters too cold for termites?
No. Cold weather slows termites down, but it doesn’t kill the colony. The eastern subterranean termite is the most common species in the state, according to University of Missouri Extension. It lives in the soil and can move deeper, below the frost line, when temperatures drop. Colonies under a heated basement or a slab home often keep feeding through the winter. Missouri falls in a region with moderate to heavy termite pressure, so a hard January offers no real protection.
Myth 2: Is a brick or concrete home safe from termites?
Masonry doesn’t stop termites. It just makes them harder to spot. Subterranean termites build mud tubes up and over brick and poured foundations, and they squeeze through cracks thinner than a credit card. Common entry points include the following:
- expansion joints in slabs
- gaps where plumbing comes up through the floor
- hollow block walls
- where a porch or garage slab meets the house
The wood framing, subfloor and trim inside a brick home are just as edible as they are in any other house.
Myth 3: If I don’t see termites, do I not have them?
Not seeing termites means very little. Subterranean termites avoid light and open air, so the workers doing the damage almost never show themselves. The one time most people see them is during a swarm. That’s when winged reproductive termites, called swarmers, fly out to start new colonies, usually on a warm spring day after rain. A swarm can last less than an hour, and it often happens when nobody is home. A mature colony can contain hundreds of thousands of termites, all of them feeding out of sight. This is why annual inspections matter more than waiting for visible signs.
Myth 4: Can a hardware store spray get rid of termites?
Over-the-counter sprays kill the termites they touch and leave the colony alone. The colony lives in the soil, sometimes many feet from the house, and keeps sending workers back. Some repellent products can even push termites into a new section of the structure. Professional treatment generally falls into two categories:
- Liquid termiticides, applied into a trench around the foundation to create a treated zone in the soil. Non-repellent products are designed so termites pass through without noticing and carry the active ingredient back to the colony.
- Bait systems, installed as stations in the ground. They are monitored over time and replaced with bait that termites share through the colony.
Both approaches follow product label requirements, which are federal law. Both also require equipment and product quantities that aren’t available at retail.
Myth 5: Once a house is treated, is it protected forever?
No treatment lasts forever. Liquid termiticides break down in soil over a period of years, and the rate depends on the product, the soil type and moisture. Bait systems only work while someone is monitoring and servicing the stations. Pre-construction treatments on new homes wear down too. They can also be disturbed by later landscaping, additions or a new patio. Most termite warranties require annual renewal and inspection for this reason. If you’re buying a home, the NPMA-33 wood destroying insect report is the standard form inspectors use to document current activity. It’s worth reading closely.
Who handles termite inspections and treatment near Kansas City?
1. Kansas city pest control (ZipZap Termite & Pest Control), Lawson
Zip Zap Pest is a third-generation, family-owned company. It is led by Jeff Preece, a Board-Certified Entomologist with more than 40 years in the pest control industry and a Public Health Entomology Certificate. The company holds QualityPro certification through the National Pest Management Association.
On the termite side, the team handles inspections, treatment planning and ongoing monitoring. Year-round bundle programs cover termites alongside rodents, ants, spiders, mosquitoes and moles. Zip Zap Pest serves Lawson, Kearney, Liberty, Excelsior Springs, Plattsburg, Cameron and rural properties throughout the Northland.
2. Evolution Pest Management and Termite
Evolution Pest Management and Termite is based in Excelsior Springs and offers pest and termite services.
3. D E Pangborn Termite Specialists
D E Pangborn Termite Specialists is located in Richmond and provides termite services.
4. Mefford Pest Control
Mefford Pest Control operates out of Cameron and offers pest control services.
5. Rottler Pest Solutions
Rottler Pest Solutions has a location in Riverside and provides pest control services in the Kansas City area.
Getting the Facts Straight on Termites
Termites in Missouri survive winter, get past brick and concrete, and stay hidden until the damage is well underway. Store-bought sprays and old treatments don’t hold them off for long. If your last inspection was more than a year ago, or you’ve never had one, schedule one before the spring swarm season.
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