California Termite Control, Inspection, & Treatment

Termites Are A Year-Round Threat For California Homeowners

In California, termites swarm during the spring. However, termites remain active and feeding 365 days a year. If you spot what looks like flying ants, often actually winged termites, or notice mud tubes on your foundation, there is a strong chance you are already dealing with a termite infestation and should seek professional treatment immediately. Early action gives you the best chance to stop damage before it becomes severe.

The best way to keep these insects out of your structure is to:

• Stay vigilant for winged termites, mud tubes, and frass: especially during spring swarming season.
• Schedule annual termite inspections to catch infestations before they cause major damage.
• Invest in a year-round pest control plan that includes termite monitoring and prevention.

Luckily, HomeShield can help! We provide free annual termite inspections with our pest control service and also offer termite control treatment plans in California and the surrounding areas for homes or businesses already infested. Call us today to control or protect against termite infestation.

Please visit our Florida Termite Control page for information regarding termite services in Florida.

What to Expect During a Termite Inspection

If you've never had a termite inspection before, knowing what the process involves can help you prepare and feel confident about protecting your home. A professional termite inspection is thorough, non-invasive, and typically takes about one to two hours depending on the size of your property.

How Our Termite Inspection Works

Step 1: Schedule Your Inspection 
Contact HomeShield Pest Control to book your termite inspection. We offer free annual inspections to customers on a pest control plan, and affordable standalone inspections for homeowners who want peace of mind, especially before buying or selling a home.

Step 2: Exterior Assessment 
Our licensed inspector begins outside, examining your home's foundation, siding, eaves, and soil lines for mud tubes, blistered paint, wood damage, and moisture issues that attract termites.

Step 3: Interior Inspection 
Inside, the inspector checks baseboards, window frames, door casings, cabinetry, and closets, tapping wood for hollow sounds and looking for frass, pinholes, and other signs of termite activity.

Step 4: Attic & Crawl Space Examination
These areas are where termite damage often hides. Our technicians inspect beams, joists, and rafters using flashlights, probing tools, and, when needed, moisture meters or infrared cameras to detect activity behind walls.

Step 5: Findings Report & Treatment Recommendation
After the inspection, your technician reviews findings with you, explains any evidence of termite activity or conducive conditions, and recommends a treatment plan if needed. You'll receive a clear report, and if treatment is required, a detailed quote with no surprises.

How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost in California?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is "how much does a termite inspection cost?" The answer depends on your property size, location, and whether the inspection is part of a real estate transaction.

What Affects Your Termite Inspection Cost

Several factors influence the price of a termite inspection in California:

• Property Size: Larger homes take longer to inspect and may require more specialized equipment, increasing the cost.
• Location: Inspection costs vary across California markets. Urban areas like Los Angeles and San Diego may have higher rates than smaller cities.
• Real Estate Inspections: If a termite inspection is required for a home sale, a detailed Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) report is typically needed by lenders or buyers. These reports generally cost more than a standard inspection.
• Accessibility: Homes with limited access to crawl spaces, attics, or foundation areas may require additional time or equipment.

Effective Drywood and Subterranean Termite Treatment Options

Not all termites are the same, and effective treatment depends on correctly identifying what type you're dealing with. The two most common termite species in California are drywood termites and subterranean termites, each with distinct behaviors, habitats, and treatment needs.

Drywood termites live entirely within dry wood, infesting furniture, flooring, and structural wood without needing soil contact. They extract moisture directly from the wood they eat and are often light brown or creamy white. Because they live inside wood, drywood termites are difficult to detect until significant damage has occurred, typically revealed by small piles of frass (wood-colored pellets) near infested areas.

Drywood termites live entirely within dry wood, infesting furniture, flooring, and structural wood without needing soil contact. They extract moisture directly from the wood they eat and are often light brown or creamy white. Because they live inside wood, drywood termites are difficult to detect until significant damage has occurred, typically revealed by small piles of frass (wood-colored pellets) near infested areas.

Tailoring treatments to the termite type helps effectively address infestations and prevent future damage. 

Termite Treatment Options Available

Effective termite control depends on the extent of the infestation, the type of termites, and your unique needs. That’s why we offer two primary treatment options—tent fumigation and localized treatments—to provide maximum protection and peace of mind. By focusing on proactive prevention, active monitoring, and tailored treatment plans, we help keep your home termite-free.

Tent fumigation is a whole-structure treatment method that reaches even hidden, hard-to-access areas. We completely enclose your home using specialized tarps or tents. Then, we introduce a gas fumigant penetrating the wood, cracks, and crevices where termites often hide. 

Smaller or isolated infestations don’t always require the scale of tent fumigation. That’s where localized treatments come in. These precision-focused treatments target only the affected areas, allowing for efficient termite elimination without disrupting your daily routine.

Choosing the Right Treatment for Drywood and Subterranean Termites

Addressing termite issues is about selecting the right approach for the specific termite species wreaking havoc on your property. Drywood and subterranean termites have distinct behaviors and habitats, which call for tailored strategies for eradication and long-term protection.

Treating Drywood Termites with Tent Fumigation

Drywood termites often hide deep within wooden structures, remaining undetected until significant damage is done. Tent fumigation effectively eradicates termites throughout the home, including hidden colonies in walls, flooring, and furniture. The process involves sealing the structure with tarps and introducing a gas fumigant that penetrates wood and crevices. Tent fumigation is thorough and ideal for large or deeply embedded infestations.

Combating Subterranean Termites with Liquid Treatments and Baiting Systems

Subterranean termites build underground colonies and use mud tunnels to access food. Their biology requires specific control methods to eliminate nests and prevent re-infestations. 

Two effective options are liquid treatments and baiting systems, which can work separately or together: 

• Liquid Treatments: Applied to the soil around your home’s foundation, these treatments create a chemical barrier to stop termites from entering. This method can eliminate active infestations and help prevent future ones. 
• Baiting Systems: Bait stations placed around your property lure termites with a cellulose-based food mixed with a slow-acting insecticide. Foraging termites carry the bait back to the colony, eliminating workers and queens. 

Pre-Construction Termite Treatments

The only thing worse than termite damage is how late it's usually discovered, often only when you're buying or selling a home, or when catastrophic structural damage has already occurred. Because termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance, it leaves property owners responsible for repair costs that can run into the thousands.

Pre-construction treatments from HomeShield Pest Control start your new build on the right foot. We eliminate any active termites on your property while creating a protective chemical barrier around the structure, and remove many of the conducive conditions that attract termites in the first place.

Contact us to learn how our pre-construction termite treatments can protect your new property from day one.

Contact us online or give us a call at (714) 702-1058 to schedule an appointment for our termite control services in California today!