Termites Are Eating Your Home Right Now. Stop Them.
Los Angeles termite infestations are year-round — our dry climate and aging housing stock create ideal conditions for both drywood and subterranean species. Early treatment prevents thousands in structural repairs.
Licensed · Insured · LA-Based
Signs You Have a Problem
- Small piles of pellets resembling sawdust or coffee grounds near windowsills, doorframes, or baseboards — these are drywood termite frass (excrement) pushed out of galleries
- Swarms of winged insects, often near windows and light sources, during spring and fall — termite swarmers look similar to flying ants but have equal-length wings and a thick waist
- Discarded wings in small piles on windowsills or near entry points after a swarm — swarmers shed their wings immediately after landing
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, particularly in door frames, window sills, floor joists, and structural beams
- Mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels of soil and debris — running along your foundation, concrete block walls, or floor joists (a definitive sign of subterranean termites)
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick or become difficult to open, caused by the structural wood warping as termites consume it
- Paint that bubbles or peels in a pattern that doesn't match water damage — termites working just beneath the paint surface can cause similar blistering
Our Treatment Process
- 1
Termite Species Identification
Effective termite treatment depends entirely on species. Los Angeles properties commonly host drywood termites (Incisitermes minor), which live inside wood with no soil contact, and Western subterranean termites (Reticulitermes hesperus), which build underground colonies and forage via mud tubes. Each requires a completely different treatment strategy. We inspect the exterior foundation, attic space, crawl space (if present), and interior wood members to identify species and map colony locations.
- 2
Infestation Mapping
We probe and tap structural wood throughout the property to identify active galleries and damage extent. We document every affected area with notes and photos before recommending treatment. We assess whether the infestation is localized (treatable with spot or local treatments) or widespread (requiring whole-structure fumigation or a comprehensive liquid treatment perimeter).
- 3
Treatment Execution
For drywood termites in localized areas, we inject termiticide foam or dust directly into galleries through small drilled holes, or use electro-gun treatment in accessible areas. Widespread drywood infestations may require whole-structure tenting (fumigation). For subterranean termites, we trench and treat the soil perimeter with a non-repellent termiticide (Termidor or equivalent) that foraging workers carry back into the colony, eliminating it from within. We may also install bait stations for ongoing monitoring.
- 4
Structural Assessment Notes
Where we find damaged structural wood, we document the damage in detail and note whether repair is needed before or alongside treatment. We can refer you to licensed contractors for structural repairs. Termite treatment protects remaining healthy wood — it does not restore already-consumed wood.
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Annual Inspection Program
A single treatment eliminates the current infestation. An annual inspection catches new activity before it becomes a structural problem. Given LA's year-round termite pressure, we recommend scheduling a yearly walk-through of the property exterior, attic, and any substructure access points.
How to Prepare for Treatment
- For whole-structure fumigation: vacate all humans, pets, plants, and food items not in sealed, fumigation-safe bags for the duration of the fumigation plus the required aeration period (typically 24–72 hours total)
- For subterranean termite soil treatment: keep children and pets away from treated soil areas and foundation perimeter until the treatment has dried and settled (typically 24 hours)
- For localized drywood treatments: clear the area immediately around treatment zones; drilling produces fine wood dust that should be vacuumed after treatment
- Notify your landlord or HOA if you are a tenant or condo owner — termite treatment in multi-unit buildings often requires coordination across units and common areas
- Pull back any landscaping, mulch, or wood materials in direct contact with the foundation before our arrival — wood-to-soil contact is a primary entry point for subterranean termites
After Treatment: What to Expect
- Do not disturb soil treatment zones along the foundation for at least 30 days — irrigation and digging can break the chemical barrier that protects your structure
- Repair any moisture sources that contribute to wood rot near the foundation — wet, softened wood is significantly more vulnerable to termite activity and nullifies treatment efficacy over time
- Do not seal the drilled holes in wood treatment areas yourself for at least 2 weeks — allow the termiticide to fully move through the gallery system before patching
- If you see new termite swarmers or frass after treatment, contact us immediately — new swarmers during the treated period warrant a reinspection to determine whether they are a new infestation or activity from an untreated area
- Maintain the inspection schedule — termite activity in neighboring properties (common in LA's dense residential neighborhoods) means reinfestation risk remains even after successful treatment
Termite Control — Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles has active populations of both drywood termites and Western subterranean termites. Drywood termites are particularly common in older wood-frame construction — the Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial homes, and early 20th-century apartment buildings common in neighborhoods like University Park and Jefferson Park provide decades of untreated old-growth wood that drywood termites exploit. Subterranean termites are common throughout the region and expand their activity during the wet season when soil moisture is higher.
Whole-structure fumigation (tenting) is the most effective treatment for widespread drywood termite infestations but requires full vacation of the property for 24–72 hours. Localized infestations that are well-mapped and accessible can often be treated with targeted injection treatments without tenting. We make this determination during the inspection based on the extent and location of the infestation. We will not recommend fumigation unless it is genuinely necessary.
A mature subterranean termite colony of several hundred thousand workers can consume approximately one foot of 2x4 wood framing in about five months. Drywood termite colonies are smaller and cause damage more slowly, but their presence in structural members like roof rafters, floor joists, and wall framing can accumulate into serious structural compromise over several years. The longer an infestation goes untreated, the more costly the repair — and in older LA homes, structural lumber is often irreplaceable old-growth wood.
Yes — a tenting in your immediate neighborhood is a signal that drywood termite pressure in your area is high. Swarmers travel on wind and can infest adjacent properties during swarm season. We recommend a precautionary inspection of your property, particularly if you have a wood-frame structure. An inspection costs far less than treating an established infestation.
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