Termite inspection and treatment in Canoga Park
Tiny pellet piles on a windowsill or a burst of winged insects on a warm afternoon are the two classic termite warnings in Southern California.
Two kinds of termites, two kinds of treatment
Southern California homes face both drywood termites, which live entirely inside the wood they eat (eaves, attic framing, window trim, furniture), and subterranean termites, which live in the soil and build mud tubes up foundations to reach wood. They are treated differently, so an inspection comes first. Our drywood vs subterranean guide explains how to tell them apart.
Common signs
- Small piles of hard, six-sided pellets (drywood frass) below a kick-out hole
- Pencil-width mud tubes on the foundation, stem wall or in the crawlspace (subterranean)
- Discarded wings near windows and doors after a swarm
- Wood that sounds hollow or crumbles when probed
Treatment options you may hear about
- Whole-structure fumigation (tenting) for widespread drywood infestations. The home is sealed and treated with a gas fumigant, and occupants stay elsewhere for a few days. See our fumigation cost guide.
- Localized or "spot" treatment for limited drywood activity, such as injecting a termiticide into galleries, or heat or other non-chemical methods offered by some companies.
- Soil treatment or baiting for subterranean termites, creating a treated zone around the foundation or using monitored bait stations.
Licensing matters
In California, termite inspection and treatment fall under the Structural Pest Control Board. Companies doing termite (wood-destroying organism) work hold a Branch 3 license, and fumigation requires Branch 1. Ask for the license number and verify it at pestboard.ca.gov. A licensed inspector will give you a written inspection report that separates findings (active infestation, damage) from recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need to tent?
No. Tenting is usually recommended when drywood activity is widespread or hard to reach. Limited, accessible infestations are often handled with local treatment. Getting more than one inspection is reasonable for a large decision.
When do termites swarm here?
Subterranean termites commonly swarm on warm days in spring, often after rain. Drywood termites often swarm in late summer and fall.
Related services
Rodent control
Roof rats, Norway rats and mice in attics, walls and garages.
Bed bug treatment
Inspection and heat or chemical treatment for homes and apartments.
Ant control
Argentine ants and other trailing ants invading kitchens and bathrooms.
Areas
Woodland Hills
Hillside homes south of Ventura Blvd and the Warner Center area.
West Hills
Single-family neighborhoods along the Simi Hills open space.
Winnetka
Flat, grid-pattern neighborhoods of mid-century homes and apartments.
Chatsworth
Foothill and horse properties near the Santa Susana Mountains.
Reseda
Classic 1950s ranch homes and apartments near Lake Balboa.
Tarzana
Hillside and flatland homes with mature trees south of the 101.