The way a building sits on its lot tells a lot about how exposed it is. A property with crawlspace framing, older wood siding, or landscaping that holds moisture against the foundation gives termites more to work with than a newer slab-on-grade home with cleared perimeter. Altadena has a range of housing stock, from modest single-family homes to larger properties with detached structures, and the exposure varies by what was built, when, and how the soil and wood meet at the base of the structure. Pasadena Termite Control Company inspects those structures, identifies what is active, and applies the treatment that fits the situation.
The work is the same for a homeowner who found something alarming in the crawlspace and a property manager dealing with termite activity in a rental. We inspect the structure, confirm whether termites are present, identify the type, and map how far the activity has spread before any treatment is quoted. That sequence does not change regardless of the property type or the urgency behind the call.
When you call, we will ask about the property: the type of construction, what you noticed and where, and whether the concern is a current infestation or an upcoming home sale. You do not need to know the species or the extent of the problem before you call. That is what the inspection is for. What helps is having a general sense of the structure, the approximate size of the building, and where the signs showed up if you have spotted any.
From there, we confirm what the inspection covers, what it costs, and when we can schedule it. The price is explained on the call before anything is booked. You get a straight answer about what is included and what would change the quote once the inspection is complete. We're ready when you are.
Some signs are easy to spot once you know where to look. Others are easy to mistake for settling, water damage, or ordinary wear. The list below covers what homeowners in this area most commonly notice before they call.
The tricky part is that some of these signs point to different things depending on where they appear and what surrounds them. Mud tubes suggest activity coming up from the soil. Frass and kick-out holes in wood surfaces suggest activity living inside the timber itself. An inspection is the only reliable way to tell which situation you are in and how far it has gone. An inspection turns a worry into a plan.
The treatment follows the situation. We do not quote a method before we have inspected the structure, because the same symptom can point to different problems depending on the building, the species, and how far the activity has spread. Below are the specific situations we handle.
A detached garage or workshop sits on its own foundation and is often overlooked until the damage is visible. These structures frequently have wood framing close to the soil, older construction that was not treated at the time it was built, and less regular foot traffic, which means activity can continue for a long time without being noticed. We inspect and treat detached structures the same way we would a main building, because the timber is just as vulnerable and the colony does not stop at a property line.
Termites follow moisture. A crawlspace that holds humidity, a downspout that drains against the foundation, or wood that has been in contact with damp soil for years creates conditions that make a structure more attractive to foraging termites. Correcting those conditions is part of a complete approach to protecting structural timber. We note conducive conditions during the inspection so you know what is contributing to the risk, not just what is already active.
A property that has been vacant for a year or more deserves a thorough inspection before it is occupied again. Termite activity that would normally be caught during a routine visit can go undetected for a long time in an empty building. The inspection covers the same areas it would on any other property, but the history of the building matters. We approach these jobs with the understanding that the scope of activity may be broader than what is visible from the surface.
When a new structure is going up, the best time to protect it from subterranean termites is before the slab is poured. A pre-construction soil treatment establishes a treated zone in the soil at the foundation level, using a non-repellent termiticide applied according to the label. Products are applied at this stage because the soil is fully accessible and the treatment can be placed exactly where it is needed. Any questions about what the household should do beforehand, including preparation around pets or children, are covered on the call before the visit.
Whole-structure fumigation is available when a drywood infestation has spread through a significant portion of the structure, including areas that cannot be reached by direct treatment. Liquid barrier treatment and in-ground bait and monitoring systems address subterranean termite activity from the soil. Localized spot treatment and borate wood treatment suit smaller, contained infestations in accessible timber. The inspection determines which approach fits.
Pricing and what it covers are confirmed on the call after the inspection. There is no single figure that applies to every property, because the cost depends on the size of the structure, how it is built, how reachable the affected timber is, and which treatment the inspection findings call for. A straightforward soil barrier treatment on a standard slab foundation is scoped differently from a fumigation job on a multi-room structure with a crawlspace and a detached outbuilding.
What would change a quote after the initial estimate is scope that the inspection reveals beyond what was visible from the outside. If the inspection finds activity in areas that require additional access or preparation, that is reflected in the updated quote before any work is scheduled. No scare tactics and no gimmicks, just solid treatment for what the structure actually needs. Ask what the quote covers and you will get a straight answer.
Not every mark in a piece of wood is a current problem. Older properties often carry evidence of past termite activity that was treated years ago, and that evidence can look alarming without pointing to anything active right now. Telling the difference between old galleries and live infestation requires probing the timber, checking moisture levels, and looking for the specific signs that indicate activity is ongoing rather than historical.
An inspection report should say what was found, where, and what it means. That includes distinguishing between damage that is cosmetic, damage that is structural, and damage that requires a contractor's assessment beyond what a termite inspection covers. When the damage raises questions about the structural integrity of a beam or a floor joist, we say so plainly and explain what the next step is. We give straight answers about the species and the treatment, and that includes being clear about what falls outside our scope.
A home sale is a good reason to get the termite inspection booked early. When a property in Altadena is being bought or sold, a buyer, lender, or agent may ask for a WDO inspection, which is the correct name in California for the wood-destroying organism inspection that covers termites and related organisms. Timing matters when a closing date is involved. Call early and ask what the schedule allows, and we will work through what is available before you commit to a date.
We confirm the details of the visit on the call so you know what to expect and what, if anything, needs to be done beforehand. For occupied properties, the preparation steps are explained clearly before the visit. For rental properties with tenants in place, the scheduling conversation covers what the tenant needs to know and how the visit will be arranged. The goal is to get the inspection and any treatment completed with as little disruption as possible. We handle the treatment from there.
We are available every day from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Short-notice requests are taken, and the call will confirm what the current schedule allows.
We serve Altadena and the surrounding communities across Los Angeles County. Neighboring areas we regularly cover include Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, San Marino, San Pasqual, and East Pasadena. If you are in the area and want to confirm coverage before scheduling, call and we will confirm your address is included.
Residential homes. Commercial structures. One local number for both. It is all set out on the page that lists our termite services.
A termite inspection does not typically require moving furniture. The inspection focuses on structural areas like the crawlspace, foundation, subfloor framing, and attic rather than finished living spaces. If there is a specific area of concern behind or beneath furniture, pointing that out when we arrive helps us look at it directly. Moving furniture is generally not a prerequisite for booking or completing the inspection.
Decks and fencing can be assessed as part of the inspection, particularly where wood contacts the soil directly, since that is a common entry point for subterranean termites. Whether those structures are included in the standard inspection scope is worth confirming on the call. If they are a specific concern, mentioning them when you book ensures they are on the list.
A multi-unit building is typically assessed and treated as a whole structure rather than unit by unit, because termites do not stop at interior walls and a treatment limited to one unit would leave the rest of the structure exposed. The inspection covers the full building, and the treatment plan addresses the infestation wherever it is found. Pricing and logistics for multi-unit properties are worked out after the inspection scopes the job.
The standard inspection covers the main structure, including the crawlspace, subfloor framing, foundation, attic, and accessible wall areas. Whether outbuildings, decks, or other structures on the property are included depends on what is agreed when the inspection is scheduled. If you want the full property assessed, mention that when you call so the scope and the quote reflect everything you want checked.
The main practical question is whether the unit is occupied and what access is available. For occupied rentals, we work through the scheduling details on the call so the tenant is informed and the visit can be arranged without conflict. Billing arrangements for landlords and property managers can also be discussed when the inspection is booked. The inspection itself covers the same areas it would on any other property, and the findings are explained clearly so you know what the treatment involves before anything is scheduled.
Older homes with crawlspace framing, wood siding, or original subfloor joists give inspectors more ground to cover than a newer slab-on-grade build. The inspection adjusts to the structure in front of us, including areas like older attic framing or subfloor members that may not have been checked in years. Construction style also affects which treatment is practical, since some methods require soil access that a slab limits. We scope the inspection to the building, not to a template.
Yes. A WDO inspection on an as-is sale gives the buyer and the agent a clear picture of what the structure contains, which is often part of the transaction regardless of how the property is being sold. The inspection identifies what is active, what is historical damage, and what conditions may invite future activity. What happens with those findings is a matter for the parties involved in the sale. Our job is to inspect the structure and report what we find accurately.
A report commissioned by the seller reflects findings at the time it was done and was prepared on behalf of the seller's interests. As a buyer, you have the option to commission your own inspection to get an independent assessment of the property's current condition. Whether you rely on an existing report or order a new one is your decision, but a fresh inspection gives you a current picture rather than one that may be months old.
The inspection and treatment approach does not change based on the size of the community. What matters is the construction type, the termite species present, and the extent of activity found during the inspection. We cover a range of communities in the area we serve, and the process is the same regardless of whether the property is in a dense neighborhood or a more rural setting.
A treatment that does not hold is most often traced back to one of a few things: a new colony entering from an area the original treatment did not reach, a gap in the soil barrier caused by subsequent construction or landscaping, or conditions like persistent moisture that continued to attract subterranean termites. An inspection after a treatment failure looks at where the new activity is entering and what the original treatment may have missed.
Pasadena Termite Control Company handles termite inspections and treatment throughout Altadena. Whether you have spotted something that concerns you or you simply want the structure looked at before a sale or a renovation, the inspection is where it starts. You do not need to have an answer before you call. Identifying what is there and what it means is exactly what the inspection does.
Call (626) 226-4993 for a quote.
For every town we reach, see our local coverage area. We treat structures in these nearby communities as well: South Pasadena, Glendale, Arcadia.
Not every termite problem calls for the same fix, and applying the wrong treatment wastes time and money. We start with an inspection that identifies the species and maps how far the activity has spread, then match the treatment to what we actually find. The table below lays out each method we use, what it is built for, and what to expect when the work gets underway.
| Treatment Approach | How We Do It | Recommended For | Timeline and Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-Structure Fumigation | Structure tented and sealed, Treatment dispersed throughout the entire building, Re-entry cleared after required interval per label directions | Widespread drywood termite infestations that have spread into wall voids and framing beyond the reach of direct treatment | Multi-step process spanning several days. Includes a preparation visit, the fumigation itself, and a re-entry clearance. We walk through all preparation steps before the job begins. |
| Termite Inspection | Foundation perimeter, crawlspace, and attic framing checked, Mud tubes, frass, swarmers, and hollow wood noted, Wood-destroying insects other than termites noted where found | Any homeowner with suspected activity, home buyers and sellers requiring a WDO inspection, and anyone wanting a baseline check before problems develop | Single visit. Produces a report covering what was found, where it was found, and what it means. The inspection is completed before any treatment is quoted. |
| Wood and Spot Treatment | Borate product applied directly to accessible wood, Localized treatment targets a contained infestation, No soil work required for this method | Contained drywood termite infestations in accessible wood where fumigation is not warranted | Typically completed in a single visit when the affected area is accessible. Best suited to situations where the inspection confirms the infestation is limited in scope. |
| Liquid Termiticide Barrier | Soil trenched around the foundation, Non-repellent termiticide applied to treated zone, Subterranean termites carry product back to colony | Subterranean termites entering from the soil through the foundation perimeter or crawlspace | Completed in a single visit for most structures. The treated zone remains in the soil around the foundation. Annual inspection recommended to confirm the zone is holding and no new activity has appeared. |
| Bait and Monitoring System | In-ground stations placed at intervals around the property, Foraging termites feed on bait and carry it back to the colony, Stations checked and refreshed on a regular schedule | Subterranean termites, used as a standalone treatment or paired with a liquid barrier for layered protection | Multi-visit service. Colony reduction happens gradually over time as foragers share the bait. Ongoing monitoring visits are part of the program and provide early warning of new activity. |
| Pre-Construction Soil Treatment | Soil treated before the slab is poured, Termiticide applied at the depth where subterranean termites forage, Protection built into the structure from the ground up | New construction in Altadena and throughout Los Angeles County where a slab foundation is being poured | Single application timed to the construction schedule, completed before framing begins. Coordinates with the builder's timeline. |
| Annual Inspection and Monitoring | Full structure re-inspected each year, Bait stations checked and refreshed where in place, New activity identified before it spreads | Any property that has been treated and any homeowner who wants ongoing early detection rather than waiting for visible damage | Recurring annual visit. Not a warranty or a bond. A straightforward plan for keeping the structure checked year after year so new activity is caught early. |
Call (626) 226-4993 to schedule a termite inspection and get a treatment quote, we are available every day from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
(626) 226-4993