Termite damage rarely announces itself. By the time a homeowner in Sun Valley notices something worth worrying about, whether it is a hollow-sounding floor joist, a pile of wings near a window, or mud tubes climbing a foundation wall, the infestation has usually been active for a while. That gap between when termites arrive and when they are found is exactly why acting on a suspicion, rather than waiting for certainty, is the move that keeps the treatment scope manageable and the repair bill smaller.
We inspect the structure, confirm the species and the extent of activity, and then recommend a treatment that fits what is actually there. That is the process, and it applies to every property we look at in Sun Valley. Landlords managing rental units, sellers working toward a closing date, homeowners who found something alarming under the house: the call goes to the same place and the inspection starts the same way.
We are available every day from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM at (626) 226-4993.
There is no single number that fits every job, and we do not quote one before we know what we are dealing with. The price depends on the size of the structure, how it is built, which treatment approach suits the termite type confirmed during the inspection, and how reachable the affected timber is. A slab foundation with a perimeter that needs full trenching is priced differently than a crawlspace property where access determines how thoroughly the soil can be treated. A widespread drywood infestation that warrants whole-structure fumigation is a different scope than a contained spot treatment on accessible framing.
When you call, we go over the property details and scope the inspection before anything is scheduled. The price for the inspection is confirmed on the call, and the treatment quote follows after we have seen the structure. You know what it covers before any work begins. Ask what the visit includes and you will get a straight answer.
The answer to most termite questions is found under the property rather than in it. Subterranean termites enter from the soil and travel upward into the framing above. Mud tubes, the clearest early sign of subterranean activity, are built along foundation walls and crawlspace piers where they are hidden from casual view. A crawlspace inspection that covers the full perimeter, the piers, the sill plates, and the subfloor joists is the only way to see what is actually happening at the point where the structure meets the ground.
Access matters. A crawlspace with adequate clearance and dry conditions is straightforward to inspect. One that is tight, wet, or partially blocked takes more time and attention to cover properly. We work through what the structure allows and note anything that limits visibility so the inspection report reflects what was actually checked.
Properties built on a concrete slab present a different picture. There is no crawlspace to enter, so the inspection focuses on the slab perimeter, the expansion joints, any penetrations through the slab, and the interior walls at the base. Liquid termiticide barrier treatment for a slab property involves trenching the exterior perimeter and, where necessary, drilling through the slab at interior locations to treat the soil below. The foundation perimeter is where subterranean termites cross from the soil into the structure, and it is where the treatment needs to reach.
When a property changes hands, a buyer, agent, or lender may ask for a WDO inspection before the transaction closes. WDO stands for wood-destroying organism, and it is the correct term in California for the inspection that covers termites alongside other organisms that can affect the structural wood in a home. Requirements vary by lender and by the type of financing involved, and we do not state what any particular transaction requires. What we do is book the inspection and get the structure looked at.
Timing matters when a closing date is on the calendar. Scheduling the WDO inspection early leaves room to address findings before they affect the sale. Call and ask what the schedule allows, and we will work around the date you are working toward. Termite inspections for buyers and sellers are booked around a closing date, and that is a routine part of what we handle.
Getting an inspection on the calendar is easier than you think. When you call, we go over what you have noticed and where, and we use that to scope the visit before anything is confirmed. The details, including what the inspection covers and what it costs, are settled on the call. From there, we get the appointment on the calendar.
For properties with tenants or active households, we work around occupancy. For commercial properties and multi-unit buildings, we coordinate access with whoever manages the building. The goal is to get the structure looked at with as little disruption as possible. Short-notice requests are taken, and we can tell you on the call what the current schedule allows. We keep you informed at every step of the treatment, from the initial inspection through to whatever follow-up the job requires.
Not every inspection starts with a visible sign. A property that has never been inspected, or one that has not been checked in several years, is a reasonable candidate for a full inspection even when nothing obvious has turned up yet. In the arid climate of the region, drywood termites can hollow out framing from the inside while the surface looks intact. An inspection covers the attic framing, the subfloor, the crawlspace or slab perimeter, and accessible wall areas, and it may also note other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles where evidence is found. Annual termite inspection is the practical way to stay ahead of activity that would otherwise go undetected.
When subterranean termites are confirmed or when a property warrants ongoing early-warning coverage, in-ground bait and monitoring stations are installed at intervals around the perimeter. Foraging termites find the stations, feed on the bait, and carry it back to the colony. The stations are checked and refreshed on a schedule, and between visits they flag new activity before it has a chance to spread. Bait systems are often paired with a liquid barrier treatment for layered protection, particularly on properties where the soil conditions or construction type make both approaches worthwhile.
When the inspection confirms termite activity in specific framing members, accessible structural timber can be treated directly. Borate wood treatment is applied to the affected wood and penetrates the surface, making the treated timber inhospitable to termites. Products are applied according to the label, and any preparation the household needs to make beforehand is explained before the visit. This approach works well when activity is contained and the affected wood can be reached without opening walls. Treatment matched to the species and checked again after is the standard we hold to.
A new addition or extension creates fresh contact between soil and framing, and that contact is exactly where subterranean termites enter a structure. Pre-construction soil treatment, applied before the slab is poured or the foundation is backfilled, establishes a treated zone at the point where the structure meets the ground. For additions being built onto an existing structure, the treatment scope covers the new foundation perimeter and any soil that will sit beneath the new slab or framing. Getting the soil treated at the right stage of construction is far simpler than addressing a subterranean infestation after the addition is complete. To see how it all fits together, read our page of termite control services.
We serve Sun Valley and the surrounding communities throughout Los Angeles County. Nearby areas we regularly cover include Burbank, San Fernando, Glendale, La Crescenta-Montrose, and West Hollywood. If you are in the area and unsure whether your address falls within our coverage, call and we will confirm it on the spot.
Coverage runs to commercial and multi-unit properties as well as single-family homes. A property manager handling termite activity across several units in the area calls the same number as a homeowner who found swarmers in the living room. The inspection and treatment process is the same regardless of the property type.
Finding both types at the same property is not unusual in this region, and the treatment plan addresses each one on its own terms. Drywood termites living inside the wood require a different approach than subterranean termites entering from the soil. The inspection confirms the extent of each type of activity, and the quote covers what each situation calls for. We go through the options and the reasoning before any work is scheduled.
Yes. For multi-unit properties, we coordinate access with the property manager and work through the inspection in a way that minimizes disruption to occupied units. Treatment scheduling can be staged where the situation calls for it. The details of how the visit is arranged are worked out on the call before anything is booked.
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.
We treat your home the way we would want ours treated. That applies to every property we look at, from a single-family home in Sun Valley to a multi-unit building in Burbank or a commercial property in Glendale. The inspection is where it starts, and the treatment follows from what we actually find.
If you have spotted something that looks like termite activity, or if you simply want the structure checked before a problem develops, call (626) 226-4993.
Burbank, San Fernando, Glendale, and the communities around them are covered too. One call starts the inspection.
See the whole of our full list of areas. Just as close, we treat structures in: Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta-Montrose, West Hollywood.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 Sun Valley 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