Some calls come in before anything has been found. A landlord wants the property looked at before a new tenant moves in. A homeowner buying a place in Pico Rivera wants to know what is underneath before the deal closes. Those are the calls where the inspection confirms the structure is clean and everybody moves forward with a clear picture. Pasadena Termite Control Company handles those, and we handle the other kind too.
The other kind is the call that comes after something has already been noticed. Wings on a windowsill. Soft wood where it should be solid. A mud tube climbing the inside of a crawlspace wall. When that is what you are looking at, the first step is still an inspection, because the visible sign is rarely the full story. We confirm what is active, identify the species, map how far it has spread, and then put together a treatment that fits what we actually found. That is where every job starts, whatever its size.
The species present and the condition of the structure together determine which approach is right. In this part of California, properties face drywood termites and subterranean termites, and those two types behave differently enough that the same treatment does not fit both.
Drywood termites live inside the wood itself and have no connection to the soil. When their activity has spread through a significant portion of a structure, whole-structure fumigation is the approach that reaches every affected area at once, including wall voids and framing that cannot be accessed directly. Where the infestation is smaller and the affected wood is reachable, localized treatment or a borate application addresses the problem without the scope of a full tent.
Subterranean termites work from the ground up. A liquid termiticide barrier targets them in the soil, creating a treated zone around the foundation that the colony moves through. Bait and monitoring stations add ongoing detection and colony elimination over time, and the two are often paired. The inspection tells us which type is active, and that finding drives the recommendation. We give straight answers about the species and the treatment once we have seen the structure.
Pricing is settled after the inspection, not before it, because the numbers that matter are the ones the inspection produces. The size of the structure, how it is built, which species is confirmed, and how far the activity has reached all move the quote in different directions.
A single-story home with a crawlspace is scoped differently than a slab-foundation property or a multi-unit building. A widespread drywood infestation that warrants fumigation is priced differently than a contained spot treatment or a soil barrier application. What is included in the quote is explained on the call, and if anything changes the scope during the inspection, that conversation happens before any work is scheduled.
Call (626) 226-4993 and we will go through what the property involves and what the inspection covers.
The rate is confirmed before anything is booked. Ask what it includes and you will get a straight answer.
Finding evidence of termites in a Pico Rivera property is not a reason to start treating immediately. It is a reason to inspect carefully. A mud tube, a pile of frass, or a swarmer inside the house tells you termites are present or nearby. It does not tell you the species, the colony size, or how far the damage has spread. An inspection maps all of that before any treatment is quoted, because a treatment chosen without that information is a guess.
A property with no visible signs can still have active termites. Subterranean termites build their activity inside walls and under floors where it stays hidden until the damage is significant. Drywood termites can hollow out framing from the inside while the surface looks intact. A full inspection of a property with no known activity is a practical step for any owner who has not had the structure checked recently, and it is the only way to know for certain what is there.
Where in-ground bait stations have been installed, they need to be checked and refreshed on a regular schedule to remain effective. A station that is not serviced is not monitoring anything. We check each station, note any activity, refresh the bait, and report what the visit found. This is also how new subterranean termite pressure gets detected early, before a foraging colony reaches the structure.
Wood that contacts soil directly gives subterranean termites a concealed path into a structure, bypassing the mud tubes that would otherwise be visible. Moisture around the foundation, poor drainage, and wood debris left against the building create conditions that make a property more attractive to termites over time. An inspection notes these alongside any active findings. Correcting them reduces the conditions that invite activity, and we walk through what was found and what it means.
Crawlspaces and subfloor framing are where subterranean termite activity tends to be clearest and where the earliest damage shows up. Mud tubes on the piers, active galleries in the floor joists, and moisture damage that has softened the wood are all easier to read from below than from inside the house. A thorough inspection does not stop at the interior.
What makes a crawlspace accessible or not matters. Low clearance, standing water, blocked access panels, and stored materials can all limit what can be reached and examined. We work through what is accessible and note anything that limits the inspection, so the report reflects what was and was not examined. An inspection report should say what was found, where, and what it means.
Call us and we figure out the schedule on the phone. We are available every day from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and we take short-notice work when the schedule allows. If you have a closing date approaching and need a WDO inspection, the call is where we work out what is possible. Tell us the date and we will tell you what the schedule can accommodate.
We work around households, tenants, and businesses. If a property is occupied, we talk through what the visit involves and what, if anything, needs to be done beforehand. Products are applied according to the label, and the label directions cover re-entry timing and any preparation needed for pets and children. We explain all of that before the appointment, not on the day.
Residential homes. Commercial structures. One local number for both.
An inspection works through the structure from the foundation up. The crawlspace and subfloor framing, the slab perimeter, the attic framing, accessible wall voids, and the window and door frames are all examined. We look for mud tubes, frass, swarmers or discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood, visible galleries, and any conditions that make the structure more vulnerable to future activity.
The inspection may also note other wood-destroying insects when evidence is present, including carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles, since they can affect the same areas. Those findings go into the report alongside the termite findings.
When the inspection is complete, we go over what was found, where it was found, and what the findings mean for the property. The treatment recommendation follows from that conversation, and the price is confirmed before anything is scheduled. We're ready when you are.
We serve Pico Rivera and the communities nearby throughout Los Angeles County. That includes West Whittier-Los Nietos, Montebello, Commerce, Rose Hills, and South San Gabriel.
If you are in the area and have a question about termite activity at a property, call (626) 226-4993 and we will confirm coverage when you reach us.
The inspection and treatment process is the same across the area. The species present and the structure are what shape the work, not the address. You will find the rest of it on our services page.
A quote is put together after the inspection scopes the job, and it reflects what was found during that visit. If the work proceeds as scoped, the price confirmed after the inspection is the price for that job. Changes to the scope, such as finding additional activity in areas not accessible during the initial inspection, would be discussed with you before any additional work is done. The price is confirmed before scheduling, and any changes are explained before they affect the cost.
Swarmers found outside near the foundation, along the eaves, or around window frames are worth noting and reporting. Swarmers outdoors do not confirm an infestation inside the structure the way indoor swarmers do, but they can indicate a colony nearby or one that is establishing itself in exterior wood. Calling to describe where you found them and what they looked like helps us assess whether an inspection is warranted.
Finding new activity after a treatment is addressed through a follow-up inspection to determine whether the new activity represents a different entry point, a new colony, or a situation the original treatment did not fully resolve. What happens next depends on what the follow-up inspection finds. If you are on an annual inspection and monitoring plan, new activity caught during a scheduled visit is handled as part of that plan.
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.
Small pellet-like droppings below wood surfaces are a common sign of drywood termites. Drywood termites push their frass out of the wood through small kick-out holes, and it accumulates on surfaces below the infested area. Finding frass is a reason to schedule an inspection rather than wait, because the colony producing it is living inside the wood.
In most cases, a proper crawlspace inspection requires entry. The subfloor framing, piers, and soil beneath the structure are where subterranean termite activity most commonly begins, and those areas cannot be assessed from the access hatch. If a crawlspace has limited clearance or access challenges, we work through what is possible on the call and during the visit.
A WDO inspection, which stands for wood-destroying organism inspection, is the term used in California for the termite inspection that buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders ask about during a real estate transaction. It covers termites and other wood-destroying organisms that could affect the condition or value of the property. We book the inspection and examine the structure. Call early if you have a closing date, and we will work out what the schedule allows.
Not reliably. Drywood termites operate entirely inside the wood and leave no exterior signs until the infestation is well established. Subterranean termites can move through hidden areas of the foundation or enter through interior slab points without producing visible mud tubes on the exterior. An inspection looks at areas that are not visible from outside, including the crawlspace, subfloor framing, and attic, which is why a visual check from the yard is not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Yes. We work with landlords and property managers regularly, and we can talk through the scheduling and what the visit involves when you call. We explain beforehand what preparation is needed so the tenant knows what to expect. If there are specific access or timing constraints on the property, bring those up on the call and we will work through them.
Mud tubes are the travel corridors subterranean termites build to move between the soil and the wood above without exposure to open air. Finding them on a foundation wall, a crawlspace pier, or a slab edge is a strong indicator that subterranean termites are actively foraging into the structure. The tubes themselves do not confirm current activity with certainty, since termites sometimes abandon them, but they are a clear reason to get an inspection done promptly.
Yes. Crawlspaces are where subterranean termite activity tends to show up first, and the signs there, including mud tubes on the piers and damage to the floor joists, are often well established before anything is visible from inside the house. A property that has not been inspected recently is worth getting looked at, because an infestation found early is a much smaller problem than one found after the damage has spread.
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.
When you call Pasadena Termite Control Company, the conversation starts with the property. We will ask what you noticed, where in the structure you found it, and what the building looks like. By the end of the call, you will have an inspection booked, a clear explanation of what the visit covers, and the price confirmed before anything is scheduled.
Call (626) 226-4993. We handle the rest from there.
For every town we reach, see our local coverage area. We treat structures in these nearby communities as well: Montebello, Whittier, Monterey Park, East Los Angeles.
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 Pico Rivera 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