Right Time Termite Company has been inspecting, treating, and protecting homes and commercial properties in Pasadena since 1968. That is 58 years of showing up, doing the work right, and standing behind it. Whether you have found mud tubes along your foundation, noticed hollow-sounding wood, or need a WDO inspection before a real estate closing, this is the team that has handled it all in this community for generations. Residential homeowners, property managers, real estate agents, and builders have all trusted us to get the termite problem identified and resolved. Call for a quote and let us show you what nearly six decades of focused termite work looks like.
Over the years we have learned what worried homeowners actually need to hear. They want to know what they are dealing with, what it will cost, and that the work will hold.
This company started in 1968 when Robert Hale, a Pasadena native who had spent years working in the pest control trade, decided to open a shop focused entirely on termites. He had watched too many homeowners get vague answers and surprise bills from companies treating termites as a sideline. Robert believed a business built around one specialty, done with honesty, would earn the trust of its neighbors. He was right. His son and daughter-in-law took over the company in the early 1990s, kept the name, kept the focus, and kept the same standard of work. Today the third generation is involved in day-to-day operations.
Family-owned and operated from the beginning, we have grown alongside Pasadena and the surrounding communities of Los Angeles County. The neighborhoods we treat today are the same ones Robert walked in 1968. Local accountability means we earn the next job by doing this one right. That has always been the way this company works.
What sets our inspections apart is how thorough they are. Before any treatment is discussed, we need to know exactly what we are dealing with. That means checking every accessible area of the structure, probing for hollow wood, tracing mud tubes, looking for frass, and identifying the termite species. The right treatment depends entirely on what the inspection reveals. We do not quote a treatment before we know the full picture, and we do not recommend a treatment that does not fit the problem.
The work follows a simple model: inspect, treat, and protect. Inspection confirms the problem. Treatment is matched to the termite type and the structure. Protection comes from the follow-through, whether that is a bait and monitoring system, an annual service agreement, or a renewable warranty. Every job is built around all three stages.
Hollow wood checked. Mud tubes traced. Treatment matched to the species.
We offer a full range of termite services for residential homes, commercial buildings, and real estate transactions. Experienced termite technicians who respect your home handle every inspection and every treatment. Below is a look at what that covers.
A professional termite inspection is the foundation of every job. Our technicians check for active infestations, identify the termite species, trace mud tubes back to entry points, probe wood members for damage, and assess how far the infestation has spread. No treatment is quoted until that inspection is complete.
We offer same-day and next-day scheduling when the calendar allows, because waiting is not always an option when you suspect an active infestation.
The inspection also covers the scope of a wood-destroying organism report. A WDO inspection, sometimes called a WDI inspection, documents termites and, within the required scope of the report, may note other wood-destroying organisms such as carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, or wood-decay fungus. That report is the document lenders and buyers rely on in real estate transactions.
Timing matters with a closing, and we work to your deadline.
Many lenders require a wood-destroying organism inspection before a home purchase, refinancing, or closing can proceed. The resulting document is commonly called a termite letter or termite clearance letter. We provide WDO inspections for buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders throughout Pasadena and the surrounding communities in Los Angeles County.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees applies here just as it does on every other job. You will know what the inspection covers and what it costs before we schedule.
For subterranean termites, which are the dominant species across the Los Angeles County area, a liquid termiticide barrier is the primary treatment. We trench and treat the soil around and under the foundation with a non-repellent termiticide, creating a continuous treated zone that subterranean termites cannot detect or avoid.
This treatment covers slab perimeters and crawlspace areas, depending on the construction of the structure. Subterranean termites travel through soil to reach the wood in your home, and cutting off that path is how we stop them.
In-ground bait and monitoring stations are placed around the perimeter of the property at regular intervals. The stations attract foraging termites, which carry the bait back to the colony. Over time, the colony is eliminated. The stations also serve as an ongoing early-warning system, flagging new activity before it can become a significant infestation.
Bait systems are often paired with a liquid barrier treatment for comprehensive subterranean termite control. Together, they address both the immediate infestation and the long-term monitoring need.
Drywood termites are different from subterranean termites in one important way: they live inside the wood and do not come from the soil. That changes the treatment approach entirely.
For a widespread drywood termite infestation, whole-structure fumigation is the treatment that covers the entire building at once. The structure is tented and treated so that every gallery and every pocket of infestation is reached. For smaller, accessible infestations, localized spot treatments and borate wood treatments are appropriate and effective alternatives. The inspection tells us which approach fits the situation.
Before a concrete slab is poured on new construction, treating the soil creates a termite barrier that protects the structure from the ground up. We work with builders and developers in Pasadena and across the San Gabriel Valley to provide pre-construction soil treatment on residential and commercial projects. Getting this step right at the start is far less disruptive than treating an established infestation later.
Southern California faces pressure from both subterranean termites and drywood termites, making it one of the more demanding termite environments in the country. Pasadena and the broader Los Angeles County area sit squarely in that high-pressure zone. Formosan termites are also established in the region and continue to spread, adding another layer of concern for property owners.
Older Pasadena homes, many built with wood-frame construction and crawlspaces, are particularly worth protecting. The combination of the local climate, soil conditions, and the age of the housing stock creates conditions where termites can establish and spread without obvious early warning signs. That is why a thorough inspection matters here more than in many other parts of the country.
If you aren't sure whether they're subterranean or drywood, the inspection will tell us. What comes after the inspection is where the long-term protection lives.
We offer a renewable termite warranty and annual inspection program. If termites return within the coverage period, we come back and treat. The colony handled right the first time is always the goal, but a service agreement gives you documented coverage and the assurance that we stand behind the work.
For property managers, a service agreement provides the documented annual inspection record that buyers and lenders value. For homeowners, it means one less thing to worry about each year.
Honest inspection. Straight pricing. Work that holds.
Termite treatment costs vary based on the structure, the species involved, and the extent of the infestation. That is exactly why the inspection comes first. We will not quote a treatment until we know what the job actually requires, and we will not add costs after the fact that were not part of the original estimate.
No guesswork on the termite. No surprises on the bill.
Every estimate explains what is included, what the treatment involves, and what it costs. Call and we'll get it sorted before the damage grows.
We are based in Pasadena and serve homeowners, property managers, real estate professionals, and builders throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the wider Los Angeles County area. Our regular service area includes:
If you are just outside this list, call us. We cover a wide area and we would rather tell you directly whether we can get to your property than have you wonder.
The signs are different enough that a careful look usually points in the right direction. Subterranean termites build mud tubes along foundation walls and other surfaces because they need to stay connected to soil moisture. Drywood termites leave no mud tubes but push small pellet-like droppings, called frass, out of the wood through tiny kick-out holes. Our technicians are trained to read both sets of signs, and the inspection confirms which species is present before any treatment is discussed.
We have been doing this work in Pasadena since 1968, which puts us at 58 years of focused termite inspection and treatment in this community. The company started under Robert Hale, a Pasadena native, and has remained family-owned and operated through three generations. That history means we know the local housing stock, the local termite pressure, and what treatments hold up in this climate.
If termites return within the coverage period of your warranty or service agreement, we come back and treat at no additional charge. The warranty is a documented commitment, not a vague promise. We stand behind the work, and if something changes, we address it.
The renewable warranty or service agreement includes annual inspection visits and retreatment coverage if termites return during the coverage period. At the end of each term, you have the option to renew and maintain continuous coverage. It is designed to keep your structure protected year after year without requiring you to start the process over from scratch each time.
Over the years we have learned what worried homeowners actually need to hear: a clear explanation of what was found, what the treatment involves, and what it will cost. We do not use technical language to obscure the situation or pressure a homeowner into a treatment that does not fit the problem. The goal is that you feel informed and confident before any work begins.
Our experienced termite technicians who respect your home take care to leave the property as they found it. That means closing access panels, replacing any materials moved during inspection, and cleaning up after the work is done. We treat every property the way we would want our own treated.
Ready to protect the structure for good?
Whether you have spotted signs of termites, need a WDO inspection for a real estate transaction, or want the peace of mind that comes with an annual service agreement, the call starts the process. Right Time Termite Company has been the trusted name for termite control in Pasadena since 1968, and we are ready to put that experience to work for your property.
Call (626) 226-4993 today. We've got your structure covered.
Every termite problem starts with a question: what species is present, and how far has it spread? We answer that question first, through a thorough inspection, before recommending any treatment. The method we choose depends on the termite type, the condition of the structure, and the extent of the infestation. That approach keeps you from paying for work that does not fit the problem.
| Treatment Approach | How It Works | Ideal For | What Happens Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bait and Monitoring System |
| Subterranean termites; often paired with a liquid barrier for broader coverage on larger properties or where pressure is high | Multi-step process; colony elimination happens gradually over weeks to months; ongoing monitoring continues between service visits; stations remain in place as an early-warning system |
| Annual Warranty and Renewal |
| Any home that has completed treatment and wants documented, ongoing coverage against future termite activity | Ongoing relationship with annual visits; retreatment included if covered activity is found; warranty renews each year; provides peace of mind and a clear record of protection |
| Whole-Structure Fumigation |
| Widespread drywood termite infestations that have moved beyond a localized area and cannot be fully reached by spot treatment | Residents and pets must vacate for the duration; typically two to three days; no residual barrier remains after fumigation so follow-up inspection and a monitoring plan are recommended |
| Termite Inspection (including WDO) |
| Any homeowner with a suspected problem; required by lenders and escrow companies for home sales and refinancing in California | Single visit; written findings provided after the inspection; WDO report formatted to meet lender and escrow requirements; treatment quote follows only after the inspection is complete |
| Wood and Spot Treatment |
| Small, clearly bounded drywood termite infestations in accessible areas; new construction wood treatment before enclosure | Single or limited-session treatment; borate protection lasts for the life of the treated wood; inspection determines whether the scope of the infestation is contained enough for this approach |
| Liquid Termiticide Barrier |
| Subterranean termites traveling up from the soil to reach wood in the structure | Single treatment creates a long-lasting barrier; protection typically extends several years; annual inspection confirms the barrier is holding; retreatment included under a service agreement if termites return |
| Pre-Construction Soil Treatment |
| New construction in areas with subterranean termite pressure; far more thorough at this stage than treating after the structure is complete | Single treatment applied during construction; protection is built into the foundation from the start; follow-up inspection recommended after occupancy |
How do I tell whether I have subterranean or drywood termites?
The signs are different for each type. Subterranean termites build mud tubes along foundation walls, floor joists, and other surfaces they travel across from the soil. Drywood termites live entirely inside the wood with no soil contact, and they leave behind small kick-out holes and pellet-like droppings called frass near infested areas. Because the two types require different treatments, correct identification during the inspection is the most important first step.
What do mud tubes mean, and where do they usually show up?
Mud tubes are pencil-thin tunnels of soil and debris that subterranean termites build to travel between the ground and the wood they are feeding on. They protect the termites from open air and low humidity as they move. You are most likely to find them along the exterior foundation, on crawlspace walls, on floor joists, or on any surface where soil meets wood. A mud tube is a reliable sign that subterranean termites are active.
Right Treatment Matched to the Termite Species
We do not recommend a treatment until the inspection tells us what species is present and how far it has spread. That step keeps you from paying for work that does not fit the problem.
What does it mean if I see swarmers or shed wings inside my home?
Swarmers are reproductive termites that leave an established colony to start new ones. Finding them indoors, or finding piles of shed wings near windowsills and doorways after a swarm, is a strong signal that a colony is either already inside the structure or very nearby. We recommend scheduling an inspection promptly rather than waiting to see if more signs appear.
How does a liquid termiticide barrier actually protect the foundation?
We trench the soil around and beneath the foundation and apply a non-repellent termiticide to create a continuous treated zone. Because the product is non-repellent, termites moving through the treated soil do not detect it and avoid it. Instead, they carry it back into the colony, which brings the infestation down at its source. The treated zone remains effective for several years and is confirmed during annual inspection visits.
How does a bait and monitoring system eliminate a colony over time?
In-ground stations are placed at regular intervals around the property perimeter. Termites find the bait inside the stations and share it with other colony members through normal feeding behavior. The colony population declines gradually over weeks to months as the product spreads through it. The stations remain in place after the colony is eliminated and continue to provide early-warning monitoring between service visits.
Transparent Upfront Pricing
We explain every variable that affects the price before any work begins. What we quote is what you pay, with no line items that appear after the fact.
What should I expect during whole-structure fumigation?
The structure is tented and sealed, and a fumigant is introduced that penetrates all the wood throughout the building. Because the gas reaches every piece of wood at once, it is the right approach when a drywood termite infestation has spread beyond a localized area. Residents, pets, and plants must vacate for the duration, which is typically two to three days. After the tent is removed and the structure is ventilated, re-entry is safe. Fumigation does not leave a residual barrier, so we recommend a follow-up inspection and a monitoring plan after the work is complete.
Is a WDO inspection required to buy, sell, or refinance a home?
In California, lenders and escrow companies routinely require a wood-destroying organism inspection before a sale or refinance can close. The WDO report covers the full scope required by the standard form: termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring and powderpost beetles, and wood-decay fungus. We provide that report for buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders throughout the Pasadena area. If the property is clear, we issue the termite clearance letter. If there are findings, we explain them and outline the treatment options.
How quickly can a WDO report be turned around for a real estate closing?
We understand that closing deadlines are firm. In most cases we can complete the inspection and deliver the report quickly enough to meet lender and escrow requirements. We recommend calling us as early in the transaction as possible so we have the best opportunity to work around your specific closing date.
Fast Turnaround on Real Estate WDO Reports
Closing deadlines do not move, and we schedule real estate inspections to fit the transaction timeline. Call us early in the process and we will do our best to meet your date.
What does the annual warranty or service agreement cover, and is retreatment included?
The renewable warranty or service agreement includes annual inspection visits covering the foundation, crawlspace, attic, and exposed framing. If we find new termite activity during an annual visit or between visits, we return and treat at no additional charge under the agreement. It is a straightforward commitment that the work we do holds, and that you have documented coverage if anything changes.
Are termite treatments safe for children and pets?
All treatments we apply are used according to the product label, which specifies safe re-entry times and any precautions required for the treatment type and structure. We walk you through what to expect before the work begins, including how long you and your family should stay out of treated areas if that applies. For whole-structure fumigation, residents and pets must vacate for the duration of the treatment and return only after the structure has been properly ventilated and cleared.
Call (626) 226-4993 to schedule your inspection or request a treatment quote. We will identify the termite, match the treatment to the structure, and give you a clear price before any work begins.
(626) 226-4993