You push a screwdriver into a piece of trim expecting resistance, and there is none. The wood gives. That moment is when most people in South Pasadena pick up the phone, and it is exactly the right time to call. Pasadena Termite Control Company handles what comes next: a thorough inspection of the structure, a clear answer on what species is active and how far it has spread, and a treatment plan that fits the building and the situation. No pressure, no guessing.
South Pasadena is a city of older homes on established lots, the kind of housing stock where termite activity can go unnoticed for a long time. Sellers preparing to list, property owners who have not had the structure checked in years, and landlords managing older rental properties all call for the same reason: something turned up and they need a straight answer. We inspect, we identify, and we treat.
Call (626) 226-4993 to get started.
Timing matters more than most people realize. A closing date is not flexible. A tenant who needs the unit back on a schedule is not flexible. The question is usually not whether to book an inspection but how quickly it can happen and how the visit is arranged around the people inside.
When you call, we go over the property details and scope the inspection on the phone before anything is scheduled. That conversation covers what the visit includes, what it costs, and what you need to have ready. For properties with tenants, we work through the access and timing questions on the call so the visit does not catch anyone off guard.
In California, the inspection that comes up in a real estate transaction is a WDO inspection, which stands for wood-destroying organism inspection. It covers termites alongside other wood-destroying organisms and is the standard that buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders ask about. If you have a date on the calendar, call early. Real estate deadline? Call early and ask what the schedule allows.
We are respectful of your time, your home, and your closing date. The inspection gets booked, the structure gets looked at, and the findings are clear about what was found and where. An inspection report should say what was found, where, and what it means.
Termites do not arrive randomly. Conditions on and around a property shape the risk, and some of the most useful things to look at have nothing to do with the structure itself.
Damp soil that stays wet near the foundation, wood stored against an exterior wall, timber framing that contacts the ground, and poor drainage that pools water under or around the building all create conditions that make a structure more attractive to subterranean termites. None of these conditions cause an infestation on their own, but they raise the likelihood and they affect how quickly a colony can establish.
Addressing them is worth doing regardless of whether termites are currently active. Clearing stored wood away from the exterior, improving drainage, and eliminating direct wood-to-soil contact where possible narrow the window of opportunity. The inspection will note conditions like these alongside any termite findings, so you have a complete picture of what is working against the structure and what can be changed.
Termite treatment is not priced from a rate card. The quote reflects the actual job: the size of the structure, how it is built, how accessible the affected timber is, and which treatment fits the situation. A contained spot treatment in accessible wood is priced differently from a liquid barrier around a full foundation perimeter, which is priced differently again from whole-structure fumigation on a property where drywood termites have spread through the framing.
You get the price on the call, after the inspection scopes the job. Nothing is scheduled before you know what it covers. If the inspection turns up something that changes the scope, that conversation happens before the work does. Ask what the quote includes and you will get a straight answer. We're ready when you are.
Knowing what to clear and what to make accessible saves time on the day of the visit. For an inspection, the main requirement is access: the crawlspace entry, the attic hatch, the subfloor, and any areas where you have already noticed something. If there is a locked gate, a storage area blocking the foundation, or a unit with a tenant who needs advance notice, let us know when you call and we will work through the details.
For treatment visits, preparation depends on the method. A liquid barrier treatment around the foundation requires clear access to the perimeter. Whole-structure fumigation involves more preparation, including vacating the building and following the label-directed steps for anything inside. We walk through every preparation requirement on the call before the visit is confirmed, so nothing is left to figure out on the day. Any questions about what the label directions mean for pets, plants, or children in the home can be answered at that point.
Pre-construction soil treatment is one of those things that cannot be undone once the window closes. Once a slab is poured, the soil underneath it is no longer reachable. Treating it before that happens establishes a termiticide zone in the ground at foundation level, where subterranean termites forage. That protection is built into the structure from the start rather than added after the fact.
For new construction or an addition where the slab has not yet been poured, this is the stage to act. It does not require any disruption to an existing structure, and it puts protection in place at the point where it is hardest to add later. If you are planning a build or an extension in South Pasadena, this is worth raising when you call.
Not every termite situation calls for the same response, and the inspection is what determines which approach fits. The region this area sits in is one where both drywood termites and subterranean termites are active, and they behave differently enough that treating for the wrong one is a waste.
Sometimes the question is not just whether termites are present but how much damage has already been done. A thorough inspection maps active termite activity and evidence of past activity, including areas where the wood has been compromised. That picture matters for property sales, for insurance purposes, and for understanding what repair work may be needed alongside treatment.
When drywood termites have spread through a significant portion of a structure, particularly into wall voids and framing that cannot be reached by direct treatment, fumigation covers the entire building at once. The structure is tented and treated so no accessible area is missed. It is the right approach when the infestation is widespread, not a default for every drywood situation. The inspection determines whether it is warranted.
When the inspection finds drywood termite activity that is contained and the affected wood is accessible, a localized spot treatment or borate wood treatment addresses the problem without the scope of full fumigation. This is the fit for a smaller, defined infestation rather than one that has moved through the structure.
An addition that connects to an existing structure can introduce new termite risk at the point where old and new framing meet, or at any new wood-to-soil contact the construction creates. Treatment for an addition is scoped based on what the addition involves and how it connects to the existing building. If pre-construction soil treatment is part of the plan, that conversation happens before the slab goes down.
In-ground bait stations placed around the property draw foraging termites to a bait that is carried back to the colony over time. The stations are checked and refreshed on a schedule, and between visits they function as an early-warning system that flags new activity before it becomes a larger problem. Bait systems are sometimes used alongside a liquid barrier for properties where both immediate treatment and ongoing monitoring make sense. We handle the treatment from there.
The inspection may also note other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles when evidence of them turns up in the same areas. Those are noted in the findings, not treated as a separate service.
We cover South Pasadena and the communities nearby, including San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, San Pasqual, and Pasadena. Properties throughout this part of Los Angeles County are in our service area. If you are unsure whether your address is covered, call and we will confirm it on the spot.
Residential homes, rental properties, and commercial structures across the area are all within scope. The inspection and treatment process is the same regardless of property type. Swarmers inside. Wings on the sill. Time for an inspection. The options are set out on our termite service list.
A follow-up visit confirms that the treatment is performing as expected and checks for any signs that activity has continued or appeared in a new location. For bait and monitoring systems, follow-up visits are built into the schedule because the stations need to be checked and refreshed regularly. For liquid barrier treatments, a follow-up is typically part of the annual inspection and monitoring plan rather than an immediate post-treatment check.
Yes. Wood-to-soil contact is one of the conditions an inspection specifically looks for, because it gives subterranean termites a concealed path into the structure without building a mud tube. Siding, framing, fence posts, deck supports, and form boards that touch the soil are all noted during the inspection. Eliminating or correcting those contact points is one of the practical steps that reduces ongoing risk.
The inspection report documents what was found and where. From there, the treatment options and the costs are laid out based on what the inspection confirmed. Whether treatment is completed before closing or the findings are disclosed and negotiated as part of the sale is a decision for the parties involved. Our part is to give you a clear picture of what is in the structure and what it takes to treat it, so that conversation can happen with accurate information on the table.
Whether the inspection cost is credited toward a treatment is a question worth asking directly when you call. Pricing arrangements vary depending on the situation, and we can go over how the inspection and treatment costs relate before anything is scheduled. You get that information on the call so there are no open questions before you commit to the appointment.
Older construction often means more wood-to-soil contact, original framing that has not been inspected in years, and crawlspaces or subfloor areas that are harder to access. The inspection covers all of those areas, and the findings in an older home sometimes include evidence of past activity alongside anything currently active. None of that changes the process, but it does mean the inspection tends to be thorough rather than quick, and the report reflects the full picture of what was found.
The timeframe during which a WDO inspection report is considered current for a real estate transaction depends on the parties involved and the requirements of the specific transaction. Real estate agents, lenders, and buyers each may have their own expectations. If your closing date is approaching and you are unsure whether an existing report is still acceptable, calling early gives us time to schedule a new inspection if one is needed.
Whether a monitoring plan can be transferred to a new owner is a practical question worth raising when you call. The specifics depend on the plan in place and the situation at the time of sale. If you are selling a property with an active monitoring plan and want to know whether the new owner can continue it, that is something to ask about when you discuss the sale with us.
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.
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.
Yes. The cost of a liquid termiticide barrier treatment is influenced by the linear footage of the foundation perimeter, since more perimeter means more trenching, more product, and more time on site. Larger structures also affect the cost of whole-structure fumigation. The inspection scopes the job and the quote reflects the actual size and layout of the structure rather than a flat estimate.
Pasadena Termite Control Company is available every day from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Whether you found something alarming under the floor this morning or you have a closing date coming up and need a WDO inspection on the calendar, the call goes to the same place. We scope the job on the phone, confirm the price before anything is scheduled, and get the inspection booked.
Call (626) 226-4993. We're ready when you are.
For every town we reach, see our local coverage area. We treat structures in these nearby communities as well: Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Rosemead, 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 South Pasadena 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