Newly or recently built homes are likely to have been treated before or during the construction process to satisfy lending requirements. The termiticides applied to new homes creates a barrier that keeps subterranean termites from reaching the structure's wood elements, but does not provide any protection against drywood termites or termite species that have a flying stage in their development cycle.
Pre-construction termite treatments may last from two to five years, but if treated soil is disturbed or blends with untreated soil during landscaping, the barrier can be compromised. For these reasons, it's always smart to have your home regularly inspected to ensure it stays protected from all types of destructive, wood-destroying pests.