Is your house ruined if you have termites?

No, your house is not necessarily ruined if you have termites, especially if the infestation is caught early and treated professionally, though extensive long-term infestations can cause severe structural damage that is expensive to repair and may affect value if left untreated for years. Subterranean termites, which cause most damage in the US, eat wood from the inside out, hollowing out studs, floor joists, and support beams while leaving the outer surface intact, so damage can go undetected for years and cause sagging floors, hollow-sounding walls, and sticking doors and windows. However, termites work slowly, often taking 3 to 8 years of active feeding to cause major structural failure in a home, so early detection through annual inspections allows treatment before ruin. Professional treatment with liquid termiticide barriers or bait systems costing $1,000 to $3,000 can eliminate colonies within 30 to 90 days and prevent further damage. After elimination, a contractor can assess and replace damaged wood, sister joists, and reinforce structures, with repair costs ranging from a few hundred dollars for minor damage to $10,000 or more for severe cases, but most homes can be fully restored. Homes are not automatically condemned for termites, and many homes with treated termite history sell successfully after disclosure and repair with warranties. To avoid ruin, fix moisture problems, maintain gutters, remove wood-to-soil contact, and schedule annual inspections. Quick action prevents your house from being ruined.