Termite guide
Know the signs
before the damage.
A practical field guide for Southern California homeowners — what to look for, what it means, and what to do next.
Frass pellets
Tiny six-sided pellets piling under trim or windowsills — the calling card of drywood termites.
Swarmers & wings
Winged termites near lights in spring and fall, or discarded wings on sills.
Mud tubes
Pencil-width dirt tunnels on foundations — subterranean termites traveling from soil.
Hollow wood
Trim, eaves or decking that sounds hollow or crumbles when pressed.
Bubbling paint
Blistered or uneven paint can hide moisture and tunneling beneath.
Sticking doors
Damage and moisture can warp frames so doors and windows stick.
What you might have
Drywood
Live entirely inside dry wood — attics, eaves, furniture. No soil contact needed. The most common type in coastal SoCal; usually treated by fumigation or local treatment.
Subterranean
Nest in soil and build mud tubes to reach wood. Cause damage fast. Treated with a soil barrier around the foundation.
Fungus & dry rot
Not insects, but reported on WDO inspections. Caused by moisture; fixed by repairing the wood and the source of water.
Straight answers
Yes. Our visual inspection for homeowners is complimentary. Official WDO reports for real-estate transactions are a separate service.
Usually about two and a half days. We give you a clear schedule and a printed bagging list before the tent goes up.
Food, medicine and anything you'll consume must be removed or sealed in special fumigation bags, which we provide.
The fumigant is a gas that leaves no residue. The home is aerated and cleared with monitoring equipment before you return.
Yes — our own licensed crew handles fascia, eaves, rafter tails, decks and framing, so there's no hand-off.
Every few years for most SoCal homes, and anytime you notice pellets, swarmers or hollow wood.