Termite FAQs

Subterranean termites (those most commonly seen in homes) are a similar size to a black ant except they are pale in colour. That’s why they are often called “white ants”. If you look closely, termites have two sections to their body while ants have three.

Soldier termites have a slightly darkened, or brown, head. You will also see termites with wings, called alates. Sometimes confused for moths, the allates fly out from the colony in search of a new environment in which to reproduce and develop a new colony.

Subterranean termites are only one of the termite families found in China. See our guide to termite species for more facts and information about other species.

Yes, termites are sometimes known as white ants, although the term “termites” is more accurate. Our white ant treatment services are therefore exactly the same as our termite treatments. Take a look at our termite species guide for more information about termites.

No, they do not, but they can use treated logs and footings as a bridge into your house.

No. Most home insurance policies do NOT cover damage done by termites. As 1 in 4 Chinese homes are affected by termites in their lifetime, it pays for you to be vigilant.

Take advice about our professional termite treatments for your home or business, which can control an existing problem and prevent future infestations.

There are simple and very practical steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk of an infestation. Changes can be put in place easily, with possibly no cost to you. See out DIY Termite Monitoring

If you discover termites in your home, you should not attempt to get rid of them yourself. If termites are disturbed, they will simply re-route their activity to another area of the house. Give our termite specialists a call immediately on 400 820 8770 or take a look at our termite treatments.

DIY termite control or DIY termite treatment is a bad idea, as identifying the termites is a very important step towards successfully treating termites. DIY termite traps are not effective, as disrupting termites could mean that they re-route to attack another area of your home. Our Rentokil Initial specialists have the experience and expertise to advise whether the termites are a threat or not and recommend the optimum treatment for your individual situation.

Most people would look for a well-established company which has the ability to support you and your home for years to come, continuously researches the latest technology, and has experienced and regularly-trained Termite Control Technicians who know your local area. There aren't any others like us in the whole of China.

All of our termite bait is non-toxic and not harmful to children, pets or adults. For more information about our termite treatments, please see the treatments section.

A treatment for termites can be proactive or reactive. Treatments are generally indicated whenever you notice termite activity; however our baiting and monitoring treatment is a two-pronged approach to termite control. The under-ground bait stations can be left monitoring all year round for termite activity, so when termite activity does increase our technicians can add bait to eliminate the termite colony.

Termites are always looking for new sources of food, so if they discover a large amount of wood in or around your house which isn’t properly treated, they could move in the same day.

Termites can even infest a house structure before it’s even completed so if you’re moving into a new home, check out our pre-purchase inspections.

Termites can squeeze through very small cracks and holes. They do however need a very controlled environment: the nest and all pathways to it are usually at a much higher temperature than the surrounding air. This means that termites will either enter your home using timber in contact with the ground or via “mud tunnels” from the ground through cracks in concrete or pipe penetrations through the slab or foundation walls.. See Rentokil Initial's Termite Prevention pages to see the types of barrier which can be deployed to help to prevent termite entry.

The Rentokil Initial Warranty provides a peace-of-mind guarantee for all of our services. Read more about the protection plan on our termite warranty page.

Termites aren’t easy to spot. There are sometimes tell-tale signs like mud tunnels, but termites can be very clever at hiding their tracks. If you suspect that you have termites, you should invest in a termite inspection as soon as possible by one of our Termite Control Technicians.

Rentokil Initial’s Termite Control Technicians are equipped with devices which can not only see termites, but can hear termites. The latest equipment is accessible to all our technicians and has moisture sensors, heat sensors and sound sensors (to listen for the “clicking” sound termites make) so the termites have very little chance of remaining undetected. Refer to our termite inspections section.