When termites return—or seem to

Termite warranties, recurrence, and retreatment

Gather the evidence, service dates, warranty, and records before deciding whether another inspection or treatment is needed.

A new tube or swarm after prior service calls for documentation and a careful review of the written agreement—not assumptions about failure or coverage.

Build a simple timeline

Record the original inspection and treatment dates, treated areas, follow-up visits, warranty renewals, property changes, and the date new evidence appeared. Photograph the evidence before disturbing it and mark the exact location on a sketch or floor plan.

Find the original contract and service diagram. Look for the target pest, covered structure or areas, exclusions, customer obligations, renewal requirements, inspection schedule, transfer terms, and whether the agreement promises retreatment, repair, monitoring, or another limited remedy.

Check the original warranty first

If coverage may still apply, contact the company named in the original agreement before another company treats the same area. Share the photographs and service records, then ask for the new findings in writing.

Signs near an addition, disturbed soil, a new patio, a utility trench, a leak, or an area excluded from the agreement may be handled differently. Read what the warranty actually covers instead of relying on the word warranty alone.

When a second opinion helps

A second licensed opinion can be useful when the original company is unavailable, coverage has ended, the included work is disputed, or the new recommendation is difficult to understand. Give the second inspector the prior records so they can compare the new evidence with the earlier work.

Ask both companies to explain which evidence is old, whether current activity was found, which conditions should be corrected, and which areas could not be inspected. Compare their written findings and proposed work, not only the price or warranty length.

Common questions

Questions about this situation

Does seeing a tube mean the prior treatment failed?

Not by itself. The tube may be old or new, active or inactive, or located in an area the agreement did not cover. Preserve it, check the original paperwork, and contact the company named in it.

What if I cannot find the original paperwork?

Contact the builder, seller, original pest-control business, closing records, or warranty administrator. If records cannot be recovered, tell the current inspector what is known and what is uncertain.

Are all termite warranties the same?

No. Coverage, inspections, renewal, exclusions, transferability, and remedies can differ. Read the written agreement and ask questions before service.

Next useful pages

Continue with the closest question

Termite treatment

See what a written treatment estimate should explain.

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What to expect

Prepare for inspection, service, and follow-up.

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Not sure what you found? Start with an inspection request.

Tell us what you noticed and where. A qualified termite professional can then inspect the property and explain the options.

Request an inspection