Termite pretreatment and control in Heritage Hills, Amarillo (79119)
New Craftsman and brick-and-stone homes are still going up in Heritage Hills, and the best time to stop subterranean termites is before the slab is poured.We treat soil for builders and owners, and we protect finished homes on streets bordering open ground.
ZIP 79119Southwest AmarilloRandall County
Should a new home in Heritage Hills get a pre-construction termite treatment?
Yes, if you are building in Heritage Hills, a pre-construction termite treatment is the simplest protection you can buy. Native subterranean termites live throughout the Panhandle, and treating the soil before the slab is poured puts a barrier where it is hardest to add later. For finished homes, we inspect the slab edge and add a liquid barrier or bait stations where needed.
Why new construction in Heritage Hills still needs termite planning
Heritage Hills is one of the newer neighborhoods in southwest Amarillo, with Craftsman and brick-and-stone homes along Heritage Hills Pkwy and the streets around Heritage Hills Elementary on Crestline Dr, near Soncy Rd and Town Square Village. Some lots are still being built, and some streets back up to open ground.
It's easy to assume a new house is termite-proof. It isn't. Native subterranean termites (Reticulitermes) live in every part of Texas, including the Panhandle, and the soil under a new subdivision was termite ground long before anyone graded it. Termites can reach the wood of a new home through gaps around plumbing that comes up through the slab, cold joints between pours and expansion joints.
Once the slab is poured and the landscaping is in, getting product into the soil under the middle of the house means drilling. That's why the pre-construction stage matters so much in the 79119 ZIP. If you already own a finished home here, keep any treatment paperwork from your builder, because it tells us what's in the ground and how old it is.
How a pre-construction termite treatment works on a Heritage Hills lot
Timing with the builder is everything, so we work around the construction schedule.
Coordinate with the builder
We set the treatment for after the pad is graded and plumbing is roughed in, but before the vapor barrier and concrete go down. A missed window is hard to get back.
Treat the soil under the slab
Our technician applies a termite product evenly to the soil inside the forms, paying extra attention to plumbing penetrations and the areas under future bathrooms.
Treat the perimeter
We treat the soil along the outside of the forms, where termites would travel toward the foundation edge.
Record what was applied
We document the product, rate and date so the owner has a record. That record helps with future inspections and when the home is sold.
Plan the final grade
If landscaping later disturbs the treated perimeter, a touch-up treatment after final grading restores the barrier along the foundation.
Pest problem in Heritage Hills?
Call and describe it. The phone is answered 24 hours a day.
What can undo termite protection on a newer Heritage Hills home
Most problems on new homes start with changes made after the builder leaves.
Beds built above the slab
Mulch, rock and soil piled over the slab edge give termites a hidden path into the walls and cover any mud tubes.
Patios and additions
A new patio, pergola footing or extension disturbs treated soil and creates new joints against the house.
Drip lines at the foundation
AC condensate lines and drip irrigation keep soil damp right where termites look for moisture.
Stone veneer to the ground
Brick-and-stone veneer that runs into soil or mulch can hide termite tubes behind it.
Wood touching soil
Fence posts set in soil next to the house, form boards left in the ground and wooden edging all feed termites.
What changes the cost of termite treatment for a Heritage Hills home
No two lots are the same, so we price each one after we see it.
- Stage of construction
- Treating open soil before the pour takes less labor than treating around a finished slab with patios and drives.
- Size and shape of the slab
- Larger footprints and more corners mean more linear feet and more soil to treat.
- Liquid barrier or bait
- A non-repellent liquid barrier like Termidor and a bait system like Sentricon are priced differently and suit different lots.
- Hardscape against the house
- Stone walks, patios and drives along the foundation may need drilling to reach the soil underneath.
We quote after looking at the lot or plans, or over the phone once we know the stage and size of the home.
Pest control services for Heritage Hills
Pre-Construction Termite Treatment
The easiest time to protect a house from termites is before the slab is poured, while the soil is still open.
Termite Control
Native subterranean termites live in the soil under Amarillo and work their way into houses through mud tubes you rarely see.
Termite Bait Stations
Termite bait stations sit in the soil around your house and quietly intercept foraging termites before they reach the foundation.
Termite Inspections & WDI Reports
Most Amarillo home sales include a Texas Wood Destroying Insect Report, and many owners want a yearly termite check anyway.
Scorpion Control
Striped bark scorpions climb into attics, then drop into bedrooms and bathtubs when the summer heat builds.
Snake Removal
A snake coiled by the back door, in the garage or under the AC unit needs to be identified before anyone gets close.
Pest control questions from Heritage Hills
When should a Heritage Hills builder schedule a pre-construction termite treatment?
The treatment should happen after the pad is graded and the plumbing is roughed in, but before the vapor barrier and concrete are placed. Treating too early risks disturbing the soil later, and once the slab is poured, the chance is gone. We work with the builder's schedule to hit that window.
I bought a new Heritage Hills home; how do I know if it was treated for termites?
Ask your builder or check your closing documents for a termite treatment record listing the product and date. If you can't find one, our technician can inspect the slab edge and talk through options, such as a perimeter liquid barrier or bait stations. Either can protect a home that wasn't treated before the pour.
Do newer Heritage Hills homes near open ground get other pests too?
Yes. Streets next to open land see striped bark scorpions, crickets and occasionally snakes pushed in by construction. Snakes show up mostly at the edges of town and in new subdivisions, and bites locally peak in July and August. A perimeter pest treatment and good door seals help with the insects.