Insects are just like that. Iowa's termite program may not have discovered any new stars in the pestilential firmament, but it has served as a living laboratory for the development of new ways to control termites. Prabhakaran developed and implemented an innovative system that introduces only minute quantities of chemicals into the environment, yet exterminates whole termite colonies far more effectively than conventional pesticide treatments. This entailed drilling one hole per linear foot into a cement foundation and pumping four gallons of insecticide down every ten holes. It was eating up all the door frames and window frames.
Termites are very discreet.
So when you find them, usually it's a little late. This method is a bit like a surgeon trying to remove an aneurysm with a mallet. Huge quantities of poison are introduced into the ground. There's no guarantee that the chemical barrier is seamless, so the termites might find their way through to the building anyway. At best, the termite colony isn't eradicated.