Termites eat wood from the inside, so a wall can look fine while the framing gets weaker. Mud tubes on the foundation, discarded wings and hollow-sounding boards are common clues. If you spot any of them, take photos and leave the evidence in place.
Proudresolution Pest Control is a referral service. We do not treat homes. We connect homeowners in San Mateo and the San Mateo area with independent local providers who inspect, explain their method and give a written quote. You can compare more than one approach, ask questions and decide without pressure. Treating early protects your house and its value when it is time to sell.
Think You Have Termites? Start Here
You found mud tubes, a pile of wings or a soft spot in the trim. Take a breath. Termites work slowly, but they never take a day off. Here is what to do first, what you can handle yourself, and where DIY stops.
Three Things To Do First
- Take clear photos. Put a coin next to the spot for scale.
- Leave it alone. Do not scrape off tubes or spray the area. A provider needs to see it.
- Save a few insects or wings in a sealed jar or a piece of tape.
Request a callback to check provider availability in the San Mateo area, or request an estimate when you are ready to compare.
Why Termites Need Prompt Attention
Termites chew the inside of wood and leave a thin outer skin. Damage adds up over months and years. Treating early usually means smaller repairs and a smaller bill.
What Is at Stake for Your Home
Framing, floors, door frames and trim can all be hit. A past infestation can also show up in a buyer's inspection. Dealing with it the right way protects the house, its value and your resale plans.
Know the Warning Signs
Clues You Can Spot Yourself
- Pencil-wide mud tubes on foundations, slab edges or crawl space walls
- Thin, discarded wings near windows, doors and light fixtures
- Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it with a screwdriver handle
- Paint that bubbles, sags or looks water-stained with no leak
- Tiny pellets that look like sand or coffee grounds under a wood edge
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick
Where To Check Around Your House
On a stucco ranch home with a slab, check the slab edge, garage walls, eaves and fascia. On a raised foundation, shine a flashlight at the sill plates, piers and vent openings. In an older bungalow, look at porch posts, window sills and old wood siding.
Look-Alikes That Fool People
Flying ants are often mistaken for swarming termites. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick waist and wings of equal size. Rot and water stains can also look like termite damage. A provider can confirm what you have.
Types of Termites
Subterranean Termites
These live in soil and travel through mud tubes to reach wood. They need moisture, so leaks, clogged gutters and wet soil near the foundation help them along.
Drywood Termites
These live inside the wood and never need soil. Long dry seasons suit them fine. Look for tiny pellets near the damaged spot.
Dampwood Termites
These prefer wet, rotting wood. A roof leak or a slow plumbing drip is often the cause.
What You Can Do Yourself
Make the House Less Inviting
- Fix leaks and keep downspouts pointing away from the foundation.
- Pull mulch and soil back from stucco and wood.
- Stack firewood away from the house, off the ground.
- Clear crawl space vents and trim plants that touch walls.
- Seal gaps around pipes and cracks in the foundation.
Know Where DIY Stops
Store-bought sprays rarely reach the colony. Some can scatter termites so they spread to new spots. Soil barriers, bait systems and tenting call for a licensed provider. Handle the moisture and clutter, then let a pro handle the colony.
How Termite Treatment Works
Step One Is an Inspection
A provider checks the foundation, attic, crawl space and trim. They find the type of termite and how far it has spread. The method comes after that.
Barriers and Bait
For subterranean termites, providers often treat the soil around the house or set bait stations. Both aim at the colony, not just the ones you can see.
Spot, Heat or Whole-Home Treatment
Drywood termites may be treated with a spot treatment, heat or fumigation. Fumigation means the house is tented and you stay out for a set time.
Compare Before You Choose
Ask each provider why they picked their method and what it covers. Get the quote in writing. Estimates carry no obligation, so take your time.
Termite Inspections for Home Sales
Many buyers and lenders ask for a wood-destroying pest report. This matters for the many 1950s to 1980s tract homes where wood sits close to the ground. Providers can often help document damage and treatment for the sale. Keep every report and receipt in one folder.
Choosing a Termite Provider
- Ask about the provider's state license and insurance.
- Ask for a written scope: what is treated, how and where.
- Ask what repairs are included and what are not.
- Read any warranty terms before you sign.
- Walk away from pressure. A good provider answers questions calmly.
If you are searching for an exterminator near me, remember that residential pest control and termite work can differ. Ask whether the provider handles termites specifically.
After Treatment
What To Expect
Termites do not vanish in a minute. Activity should fade over days or weeks, depending on the method. Do not disturb treated soil or bait stations.
Keep Watch Year After Year
Book a yearly inspection. Keep gutters clear, wood dry and soil pulled back. Repair damaged wood once the provider says the colony is under control. Request a callback to check provider availability for a follow-up visit.
What's Included
Full Inspection
A provider checks the slab, crawl space, attic and trim to find the type and spread.
Written Quote
Get the method, area covered and price on paper before any work starts.
Barrier Treatment
Soil or bait options aim at the colony, not only the termites you can see.
Follow-Up Checks
Ask about yearly inspections so new activity gets caught while it is still small.
Typical Termite Treatment Costs
Prices vary a lot by house size, termite type and method. These are typical U.S. ranges only. Get a written quote from each provider before you decide.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Termite inspection | $75 – $300 | Some providers bundle it with treatment |
| Spot treatment | $250 – $900 | Small, local drywood activity |
| Liquid soil barrier | $1,200 – $2,500 | Based on distance around the home |
| Bait station system | $1,500 – $3,500 | Often includes monitoring visits |
| Tent fumigation | $2,000 – $6,000 | Priced by home size; you leave for a few days |
| Yearly monitoring | $100 – $400 | Renewal terms differ by provider |
How It Works
Spot and Photograph
Take photos of tubes, wings or damaged wood. Leave everything in place for the provider.
Request Estimates
Ask for quotes from one or more providers, with no obligation to hire.
Compare Methods
Review each written scope, the treatment method and any warranty terms.
Treat and Follow Up
Let the provider treat, then dry out the house and schedule yearly checks.
Why Call Proudresolution Pest Control
Compare Without Pressure
Request estimates, ask questions and weigh methods side by side before you pick anyone.
Protect Value
Treating termites properly keeps repair costs down and avoids surprises when you sell the house.
Local Providers
Independent providers know the common housing styles and soil conditions around San Mateo.
Clear Next Steps
You learn what to check, what to seal and when to stop.
Other Services
Need home termite treatment in San Mateo?
Ready to talk it through? Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request and compare what local providers suggest.
No obligationHome Termite Treatment FAQ
How do I know if I have termites or something else?
Look for mud tubes, discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood and small pellets. Flying ants and wood rot can look similar, so take photos and ask a local provider to confirm before spending money on treatment.
How much does home termite treatment cost?
Typical U.S. prices run from a few hundred dollars for a small spot treatment to several thousand for a barrier, bait system or whole-home fumigation. House size and termite type change the price, so get written quotes from more than one provider.
Can I get rid of termites myself?
You can fix leaks, clear soil from walls and move firewood. Store-bought sprays rarely reach the colony, so a licensed provider is usually needed to treat it.
Reach a local provider
Ready to talk it through? Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request and compare what local providers suggest.
No obligation