Hyde Park Bungalow Termite Case Study: How We Saved a 1920s Austin Home

The Discovery: Soft Wood and Hollow Porch Columns

In early 2025, the owner of a 1920s Craftsman bungalow on Avenue G in Hyde Park noticed something troubling while repainting the front porch. The base of two wooden porch columns felt soft when pressed with a screwdriver. When she tapped one with a hammer, it sounded hollow.

She called Romex the same day. Our inspector arrived within 24 hours.

Initial Assessment

The inspection revealed active subterranean termite infestation. Here's what we found:

• Mud tubes: Three active mud tubes running from the soil up the interior faces of two porch columns — hidden behind decorative trim that hadn't been removed in decades.
• Damaged wood: Significant hollowing in the lower 18 inches of both columns, with termite galleries running parallel to the wood grain. The damage extended into the porch beam above.
• Species identification: Reticulitermes flavipes (Eastern subterranean termite) — the most common and destructive species in Central Texas.
• Contributing factors: Original 1920s construction with untreated wood-to-earth contact at the column bases. Flower bed soil was mounded against the columns, creating a moisture bridge. A leaking porch gutter kept the area perpetually damp.

The Treatment Plan

For a historic home like this, the approach needs to be both effective and respectful of the structure's character. Here's what we implemented:

Phase 1: Sentricon® Always Active Bait System

We installed 14 Sentricon® bait stations around the full perimeter of the home, spaced approximately 10 feet apart. The Sentricon system uses Recruit HD bait containing noviflumuron — an insect growth regulator that termites carry back to the colony, eventually eliminating the entire colony including the queen.

Sentricon was chosen over liquid soil treatment for several reasons specific to this property:

• The home sits on a pier-and-beam foundation with limited access to the crawl space — liquid treatment would require extensive drilling.
• The historic landscaping (100-year-old live oak, established flower beds) would be disrupted by trenching.
• Sentricon is minimally invasive — stations are flush-mounted in the soil with no damage to the property or landscaping.
• The system provides ongoing monitoring and protection, not just a one-time treatment.

Phase 2: Damage Remediation Recommendations

We provided the homeowner with a detailed damage report and recommendations for structural repair:

• Both porch columns needed lower-section replacement by a qualified carpenter familiar with historic restoration.
• The porch beam required sistering (reinforcing with new lumber alongside the damaged section).
• New column bases should use pressure-treated or composite material with metal post brackets to eliminate wood-to-earth contact.
• The flower bed was regraded to slope away from the porch, and the gutter leak was repaired.

Phase 3: Ongoing Monitoring

Sentricon stations are inspected on a recurring schedule. Within 60 days of installation, our technician confirmed active bait consumption in three stations — meaning termites had found and were feeding on the bait, carrying it back to the colony. By the 6-month check, consumption had dropped to near zero, indicating the colony was eliminated.

Results

• Colony eliminated within approximately 4–6 months of Sentricon installation.
• No further damage to the structure after treatment.
• Structural repairs completed by a Hyde Park restoration carpenter — the porch looks original.
• Ongoing protection via Sentricon monitoring means any new colony that approaches the property will encounter bait before reaching the structure.
• Total cost: Sentricon installation and first year of monitoring, plus the structural repairs, ran approximately $2,800 — a fraction of what full structural failure would have cost.

Lessons for Austin Historic Homeowners

1. Don't ignore soft wood. By the time you can push a screwdriver into a structural member, the damage is already significant.
2. Check wood-to-earth contact. Original construction often placed wood directly on soil or concrete without barriers. This is the #1 termite entry point.
3. Keep soil away from wood. Landscaping soil, mulch, and flower beds should be at least 6 inches below any wood structural element.
4. Fix moisture problems. Leaking gutters, poor drainage, and dense vegetation against the house create the moisture termites need.
5. Proactive monitoring saves money. A Sentricon system costs far less than structural repair. Prevention is always cheaper than remediation.

If you own a historic home in Hyde Park, North Loop, Travis Heights, Clarksville, Old West Austin, or Bouldin Creek, your property is in a high-risk termite zone. Request a free termite inspection — free inspections are always available for termite assessments.