Termite Control & Sentricon in Crockett, Grapeland & East Texas — Critter Gitters
James M
5 Star Google Review
I contacted Critter Gitters this morning to help me eradicate a huge wasp nest on the front of my house and around the eaves of my roof. They kindly came out a couple of hours later, killed all of the wasps, and sent me a picture of the nests. Now THAT’S service!!! Wouldn’t use anyone else!! Thanks Lane for your help and awesome service!
Thai Folta
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
George Lee
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
Joy Ione
5 Star Google Review
Joey Baker was highly recommended by the realtor who sold me my house. I saw what looked like termites, but Joey came right away and identified carpenter ants. I saved some dead ones in a zip lock bag for him to look at. He and his team treated the inside and outside of the house. It only took 2 treatments to get rid of the little critters. Don't do what I did. When they first started trailing out of the wall, I sprayed pesticide on them. Joey let me know to let them trail, otherwise they will go back in and make another colony.
Carol Dawson
5 Star Google Review
Critter Getters is always there when I need them!! They are prompt, competent and very reliable! You can certainly trust your staff at Critter Getters! They are the best!!
Wb Byrd
5 Star Google Review
Critter Gitters has provide great service for me for years. The local touch compares to no other. I’m grateful, and my children are as well, to be able to enjoy our backyard year round.
Greg Wassberg
5 Star Google Review
Whether one has bugs inside their home or outside, Critter Gitters offers the complete pest control services. Having mosquito issues outside, they have a service for that. Termite issues, they have a service for that too. Locally owned, and affordable. The technicians are also professional, safe, and understand that each homeowner has their own unique concerns.
Tyler Tabor
5 Star Google Review
We have been using Critter Gitters for years now and wouldn’t recommend anyone else! Joey is very professional yet personable and always has a smile on his face . He tries to make each service as easy as possible. If you’re looking for an amazing pest service experience…look no further!
READY TO GET STARTED?
Why East Texas Has a Serious Termite Problem
Houston County receives an average of 45+ inches of rainfall annually. That moisture saturates the soil and keeps subterranean termite colonies active across virtually every month of the year — unlike drier regions of Texas where colonies slow significantly in summer heat. Combine that with the region’s abundance of pine timber, wood-framed home construction, and the prevalence of pier-and-beam foundations in older communities, and you have one of the highest-risk termite environments in the state.
The Davy Crockett National Forest — which borders Kennard and Grapeland directly — acts as a permanent termite reservoir. Forest soil is rich with decaying wood root systems that sustain massive colony populations. As colonies expand, they follow root channels and moisture gradients toward residential structures. This is not a remote threat for Kennard and Grapeland homeowners. It is an ongoing, measurable pressure.
Crockett’s historic district and its older pier-and-beam construction present a different but equally serious risk. Wood sills sitting on concrete piers, often with inadequate ventilation in crawl spaces, create warm, damp harborage conditions directly underneath living areas.
The Two Types of Termite Protection We Offer
Liquid Treatments (Termidor)
We trench around your foundation and apply Termidor – a product that creates a barrier in the soil. Termites can't detect it, they pick it up on their bodies, carry it back to the colony, and it spreads through the whole population.
This is effective and works fast. Good for active infestations or when you need immediate protection (like during a real estate transaction).
Sentricon Always Active System
This is what Joey recommends for long-term protection – and it's what's included in our Elite Plan.
Here's how it works: We install monitoring stations around your home. These stations contain bait that termites actually prefer over wood. When they find it, they feed on it, share it with the colony, and it eliminates the entire colony – including the queen. The best part? Sentricon protects your home 24/7, year-round. And it's the system used to protect the Statue of Liberty, the White House, and millions of homes across the country.
Termite Species Active in Houston County
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
The most common and widespread termite species in East Texas. They live in underground colonies and travel through mud tubes built along foundation walls, piers, and utility penetrations. Colonies can reach 1 million workers. Swarming occurs in late February through April — typically after the first warm rain. These are responsible for the vast majority of termite damage in Houston County.
Formosan Subterranean Termite (Coptotermes formosanus)
Formosan termites are rarer but dramatically more destructive. A Formosan colony can contain 10 million workers and consume wood at 10 times the rate of eastern subterranean termites. They have been confirmed in southeastern Houston County and are spreading. If you see large termite swarmers with yellowish-brown bodies in May through July, contact us immediately for identification.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites do not need soil contact — they live entirely within the wood they consume. They are less common in Houston County than subterranean species but are found in older structures and in lumber brought in from coastal areas. Signs include hexagonal pellets (frass) pushed from tiny holes in wood surfaces.
The Sentricon Always Active System — Why We Recommend It
Critter Gitters is a Certified Sentricon Installer. The Sentricon Always Active system is the most scientifically validated termite colony elimination system available, and the only one with a No Termite Damage Warranty backed by Corteva Agriscience.
How it works: Sentricon stations are installed in the soil around the structure’s perimeter at regular intervals. Each station contains Recruit HD termite bait — a cellulose matrix laced with noviflumuron, an insect growth regulator. Termites prefer Recruit HD bait over wood. Workers feed on it and share it with the colony through trophallaxis (food sharing). The active ingredient prevents moulting in immature termites, causing colony decline and eventual elimination.
Why it beats liquid soil barriers: Traditional liquid termiticide barriers (like Termidor) create a chemical zone in the soil that termites must cross to reach the structure. The barrier degrades over time, requires drilling and injection around the full perimeter, and does not eliminate the colony — it only blocks access until the barrier fails. Sentricon eliminates the colony at the source.
Continuous monitoring: Sentricon stations remain in place and active 365 days a year. We inspect them at every service visit. You receive ongoing colony elimination protection, not a one-time treatment that degrades.
How the Termidor HE / Sentricon System Combo Works
Installation of Sentricon System: We place stations around your home – usually every 10-20 feet depending on your property. They're installed in the ground, out of sight.
Monitoring: We check the stations regularly (included with your Elite Plan service visits). If termites find the stations, they'll start feeding.
Elimination: Once they're feeding, the bait disrupts their growth process. They can't molt, can't mature, and the colony collapses. No more termites.
Ongoing Protection: The stations stay active year-round. Even after eliminating one colony, they're ready to intercept the next one before it ever reaches your house.
Termite Inspection & WDO Reports
Critter Gitters provides Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspections and official Texas inspection reports — required for most real estate transactions in the state. If you are buying or selling a home in Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard, or Latexo, we provide accurate, thorough WDO inspections with fast report turnaround.
Signs we look for during a termite inspection:
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, utility penetrations, and interior walls
- Soft or hollow-sounding wood when probed or tapped
- Swarmers (winged termites) or discarded wings near windows, doors, and light fixtures
- Frass (termite pellets) below small holes in wood surfaces
- Moisture-damaged wood showing unexplained deterioration in crawl spaces or wall voids
- Damaged floor joists, subfloor material, or door/window frame wood in crawl space areas
Termite Treatment Plans for Houston County Homes
- Sentricon Always Active Installation — perimeter station system with annual monitoring. Recommended for all Houston County homes as preventive protection and active elimination.
- Sentricon + Elite Service Plan — full-property protection combining Sentricon termite monitoring with quarterly general pest control, carpenter ant treatment, rodent monitoring, and fire ant treatment. Our most comprehensive plan.
- WDO Inspection Only — for real estate transactions or peace-of-mind inspections without ongoing treatment commitment.
→ Compare all service packages →
Related Services
→ Carpenter Ant Control → — second most common wood-destroying pest in East Texas
→ Rodent Control → — often share crawl space with termite activity
→ Ant Control → — general ant programme separate from carpenter ant/termite
→ Read: Termite Control Solutions for East Texas →
→ Read: Professional vs. DIY — why termites require professional treatment →
Serving All of Houston County, TX
We provide this service across every community in our Houston County service area:
→ Pest Control in Crockett, TX →
→ Pest Control in Grapeland, TX →
→ Pest Control in Lovelady, TX →
Signs You Might Have Termites
Mud tubes on your foundation or walls (about the width of a pencil)
Discarded wings near windows or doors (usually in spring)
Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it
Sagging floors or ceilings
Stuck windows or doors (wood warping from damage)
Small piles of what looks like sawdust (actually termite droppings)
See any of these? Don’t wait. Call us.
Why Termite Protection Matters
The average termite repair costs thousands of dollars. And here's the kicker – homeowners insurance doesn't cover it.
Prevention costs way less than repair. And with Sentricon, you've got year-round protection without the hassle of retreatment every few years.
Frequently Asked Questions — Termite Control in East Texas
Q: How do I know if I have termites or carpenter ants?
A: Termites produce mud tubes, have straight antennae, equal-length wings, and no waist. Carpenter ants have elbowed antennae, a distinct waist, and chew smooth galleries in wood (versus the rough, soil-filled galleries of termites). Both are serious and require professional treatment — but the treatment is completely different.
Q: Is Sentricon safe around children and pets?
A: Yes. Sentricon bait contains noviflumuron, which targets termite-specific biology. The active ingredient has extremely low mammalian toxicity. Stations are installed in the ground with tamper-resistant caps — not accessible to children or pets.
Q: How long before Sentricon eliminates a termite colony?
A: Colony elimination typically occurs within 3–6 months of bait consumption beginning. Ongoing monitoring is essential — we check stations at each visit and confirm bait uptake and colony decline.
Q: I saw termite swarmers. Is my house already damaged?
A: Swarmers indicate an active colony nearby — not necessarily that your structure has been damaged yet. Swarmers are reproductive termites looking to start new colonies. Their presence is a clear warning to inspect immediately. The colony that produced the swarmers may be in your home, in adjacent soil, or in nearby trees or wood. We will determine the source.
Q: What does a WDO inspection cost?
A: Contact us at 936-546-7493 or via our online form for current pricing. WDO inspection fees vary based on property size and report type required.
Q: Can termites come back after Sentricon treatment?
A: Sentricon eliminates the colony. New colonies from surrounding soil can begin foraging pressure over time — which is why the stations remain in place and active permanently. They protect against re-infestation, not just the current colony.
Schedule a Termite Inspection in Houston County
Call 936-546-7493 or submit your request online. We schedule WDO inspections and Sentricon consultations throughout Houston County with fast turnaround.
process
Let’s Get Started
Connect & Schedule
Your protection starts with a simple conversation.
Our friendly customer service team listens to your concerns, answers questions, and helps schedule an inspection or service visit at your convenience.
Inspection & Diagnosis
We Identify the Source
Our certified technicians perform a detailed inspection of your property — inside and out. We identify pest types, entry points, and contributing conditions to determine exactly what’s happening and why.
Customized Treatment
Science-Based Targeted Solution
Using proven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, we design a treatment plan tailored to your home, pest type, and environment. We use precision applications — not overuse — to ensure safe, effective, and lasting results.
Guaranteed Results
Professional Service Guaranteed
Our trained specialists apply targeted treatments using the latest tools and environmentally responsible products. We treat interior and exterior zones, eliminate nests and harborage areas, and establish a protective barrier around your home.
Certified Local Expertise
Family-Focused Service
Guaranteed Results
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Homeowners Across East Texas Trust Critter Gitters
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Integrity-First Service, Always
Integrity-First Service, Always
We lead with honesty and reliability. At Critter Gitters, integrity means fair pricing, clear communication, and doing the job right the first time—every time.
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Our technicians undergo continuous training that goes beyond industry requirements, ensuring every service is performed with expert knowledge, precision, and the latest pest control techniques.
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Our team is fully licensed and certified, bringing proven expertise to every job. You can trust Critter Gitters for safe, professional, and effective pest control backed by years of experience.
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Your satisfaction is our promise. If the covered pests come back, so will we – 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
About Us
Critter Gitters
Built on Experience, and a Promise to Protect
Family-owned and operated since 2006, Critter Gitters Pest Management has proudly served East Texas with trusted, science-based pest control solutions that protect homes, families, and peace of mind. Founded by Joey Baker, our company was built on the belief that true pest control starts with understanding the problem — not just treating the symptoms.
Experience the Critter Gitters Difference
When you choose Critter Gitters, you’re choosing more than a pest control company — you’re partnering with certified professionals dedicated to protecting your home, health, and comfort with integrity and care.
Our Expertise = Your Peace of Mind.
Our process begins with inspection and diagnosis, not quick fixes. By combining scientific precision, advanced training, and eco-conscious practices, we deliver results that last — not treatments that repeat.
, ACE
Owner & Founder
Packages
Bundle and Save 10% when you add Mosquito Duo Defense or Lawn & Ornamental to any package.
Package Includes
Essential Plan
Essential
Proven protection for everyday peace of mind.
Elite Plan
Elite
Complete coverage. Ultimate peace of mind.
Ants (Argentine, Rover & Odorous House)
Roaches (Peridomestic species)
Spiders, Millipedes, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Silverfish, Ground Beetles, Pill Bugs, and other occasional invaders
Interior and exterior treatments every 3 months
Targeted crack, crevice, and perimeter applications
Web and wasp nest removal up to 15 ft
Guaranteed re-service between visits if pests return
Rodent monitoring and exterior bait stations
Wasp nest removal up to 30 ft
Fire Ant treatment up to 20,000 sq ft
Full Sentricon® Termite Monitoring System
Carpenter Ant treatment
Additional Services
Need more than standard pest control? Our advanced services deliver customized protection for complex infestations, long-term prevention, and total peace of mind.
- Termite Inspections / WDO Real Estate Reports
- Carpenter Ants
- Fire Ants
- German Roach Clean-out
- Fleas & Ticks
- Rodent Trapping & Exclusion
- Arbor Jet Tree Injections
- Scorpion Plan
- Termite Treatments (Termidor and Sentricon)
- Bed Bugs
- Invasive Bees
- Mosquitoes
- Wildlife Trapping & Exclusion
- Lawn & Ornamental
Locations
Serving Families and Businesses
Throughout East Texas
Anderson County
Anderson County
Leon County
Leon County
Walker County
Walker County
Trinity County
Trinity County
Henderson County
Henderson County
Madison County
Madison County
Montgomery County
Montgomery CountyFAQ’s
Common Questions from Our Customers
What pests are covered in your Essential Plan?
Our Essential Plan covers the most common household pests, including ants, spiders, roaches, silverfish, and occasional rodents. This plan is designed to provide year-round protection for your home and prevent infestations before they become a problem.
How is the Premium Plan different from the Essential Plan?
The Premium Plan offers comprehensive protection beyond the Essential Plan, including coverage for termites and carpenter ant control. It’s the total defense solution for your home and property.
Do you offer termite control or inspections?
Yes! We provide full termite control and inspection services. Our experts use advanced detection methods and safe, effective treatments to protect your home from termite damage and prevent future infestations.
Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?
Absolutely! All our treatments are family- and pet-safe. We use environmentally friendly products and methods that effectively eliminate pests while keeping your loved ones and pets safe.
Can I combine mosquito or lawn services with my pest plan?
Yes! You can easily add mosquito or lawn care services to any of our pest control plans. This lets you enjoy complete protection for your home and yard, all in one convenient package.
What areas do you serve?
We proudly serve Houston County and surrounding areas, providing reliable pest control services to both residential and commercial properties. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just contact us — we’re happy to help!
