Answer-first
In East Texas, professional termite inspections should happen every 12 months at minimum — that's the interval required to keep most termite warranties active. Homes with prior activity, wooded lots, slab-on-grade foundations, or standing moisture around the foundation should inspect every 6 months.
When this applies to your East Texas home
- You have any termite warranty (Sentricon, liquid, or otherwise) — annual inspection is a condition
- You bought the home in the last 12 months and haven't done one yet
- You've had prior termite activity (even treated)
- The home is on a slab-on-grade foundation (common in East Texas subdivisions)
- You have wood mulch, wood siding, or wood-touching-soil anywhere on the perimeter
- Your neighbor recently discovered termites
Failure modes we see in the field
- Letting a warranty lapse: miss the annual inspection window and you lose coverage — new damage is on you
- Skipping inspections because 'the last one was clean': colonies mature slowly. A clean inspection last year doesn't mean a clean home this year
- Not inspecting after wet weather: heavy rain drives new colonies to establish. April is the ideal annual window
What actually works — the proof
Included with SPOTGuard +Termite: an annual professional inspection with a written finding. If nothing is found, the warranty stays active and you're covered. If something IS found, we treat under warranty terms — no surprise bills. That's what a proper Sentricon warranty is for.
Your next step
Not sure when your last inspection was? Call (936) 632-6464 — we can pull our records if you've been a customer, or book you for a free first-time inspection.
Reviewed by the field team
The Spot On Team · Spot On Pest Control
Family-owned in Lufkin, TX · Texas SPCS Business License #License #805260072 · Serving the East Texas Piney Woods since Pawpaw's day.
Frequently asked
Is an annual termite inspection worth the cost?
Yes — repair costs from a hidden infestation ($3K–$25K+) dwarf 10 years of annual inspections. And with Sentricon Always Active, the annual inspection is included as part of the warranty maintenance. It's not an extra bill.
