Many homeowners think termites are only a problem for old, damp houses. In practice, they show up in stucco ranch homes, bungalows and tract houses of every age. They feed quietly behind walls, so the first sign is often a small one.
Defendcounts Pest Control is a referral service. We do not inspect or treat homes ourselves. You describe what you found, and your request goes to an independent provider in our network. The provider does the inspection, explains the options and gives you a written quote. Providers do the work. We simply make the connection, and we are upfront about that from the first click.
Think You Have Termites? Start Here
Myth: “If it were serious, I would see it by now.” Reality: termites chew in silence, often behind stucco, drywall and framing. By the time damage shows, it has usually been going on for a while.
Found wings, mud tubes or tiny pellets? Ask a provider to take a look. Defendcounts Pest Control is a referral service, and providers in our network do the inspection and the treatment. We only connect you.
Why Termites Need Prompt Attention
Myth: “Termite damage is mostly cosmetic.” Reality: colonies feed season after season and can weaken framing, floor plates and beams. The longer they go, the bigger the repair. Acting early often means a smaller job and a smaller bill.
Myth: Only Old Houses Get Termites
A lot of homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s have wood trim, stucco that hides entry points and slab or raised foundations. Newer homes get termites too. Age matters less than wood, moisture and soil contact.
Know the Warning Signs
Outside the House
- Pencil-wide mud tubes on foundation walls or piers
- Discarded wings near windows and doors
- Wood trim that sounds hollow when tapped
- Tiny, sand-like pellets under eaves or on sills
Inside the House
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick
- Paint that bubbles or ripples
- Floors that feel soft or spongy
- Swarming insects after warm days that follow winter rain
One sign is enough to justify an inspection. You do not need all of them.
Types of Termites Found in Homes
Subterranean Termites
These live in soil and build mud tubes to reach wood. Check near slab edges, plumbing entries and raised-foundation crawl spaces.
Drywood Termites
Myth: “Our dry climate keeps termites away.” Reality: drywood termites live inside the wood and need no soil contact. Long dry seasons suit them fine.
Dampwood Termites
These prefer wet wood, such as fence posts or framing near a roof or plumbing leak. They are less common, and fixing the moisture is part of the answer.
How Termite Treatment Works
Myth: “One method fits every house.” Reality: the right plan depends on the species, the size of the problem and how your home is built. Residential pest control for termites starts with a proper look.
Step One: The Inspection
The provider checks the attic, crawl space, garage, foundation edge and trim. A good inspection identifies the species, shows where the activity is and explains how it got in. Ask for the findings in writing.
Step Two: Picking a Method
- Liquid treatment in the soil around the foundation
- Bait stations placed around the home
- Spot treatment for small drywood problems
- Whole-structure fumigation or heat for widespread drywood activity
Step Three: The Treatment Visit
The provider may ask you to clear items from walls, cover or move plants and arrange for pets. For tenting, you would stay elsewhere for a few days. Follow the preparation list closely.
Termites and Your Home's Value
Myth: “Treating for termites makes a house harder to sell.” Reality: documented treatment shows a home has been looked after. Untreated findings are what slow a sale.
Termite Inspections for Home Sales
Many sales call for a wood-destroying organism report, and providers can often supply one. Keep your paperwork: inspection reports, treatment records, any warranty terms the provider offers and repair receipts. Future buyers like to see them.
Choosing a Termite Provider
Typing “exterminator near me” gives you a long list. Narrow it down with a few plain questions:
- Is the provider licensed in California?
- Will you get written inspection findings?
- Which method is proposed, and why?
- What are the retreatment terms, in writing?
Be careful with anyone who quotes a price without seeing the house or pushes you to sign on the spot. Get written quotes and compare them.
After Treatment: What Comes Next
Treatment is not a force field. Fix leaks, keep soil and mulch off stucco and siding, and store firewood away from walls. Plan a follow-up inspection, since many homeowners schedule one yearly.
Some policies may cover sudden damage, but termite damage is often treated as a maintenance issue, so check your policy. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.
How Defendcounts Pest Control Routes Your Request
Straight referral answers: you describe the problem, and your request goes to an independent provider in our network. The provider contacts you, sets the inspection and gives their own quote. Providers set their own hours, so availability varies. Defendcounts Pest Control does not do the work or send vehicles.
What's Included
Inspection Findings
A provider checks attic, crawl space, foundation edge and trim, then explains what was found in writing.
Method Options
Soil treatment, bait stations, spot treatment or fumigation, matched to the species and home.
Written Quote
The provider puts scope, method and price on paper so you can compare before agreeing.
Follow-Up Advice
Tips on moisture, wood contact and recheck timing to help keep termites from returning.
Typical Termite Treatment Costs
Termite pricing varies with home size, species, access and method. These are typical U.S. ranges only, so ask any provider for a written quote after they inspect.
| Service | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Termite inspection | $75 – $300 | Often priced low or folded into treatment |
| Liquid soil treatment | $1,200 – $3,000 | Depends on foundation length and access |
| Bait station system | $1,500 – $3,500 | Often includes monitoring visits |
| Spot treatment (drywood) | $250 – $900 | Works well for small, contained areas |
| Whole-home fumigation | $1,500 – $4,500 | Varies by square footage and structure |
| Damaged wood repair | $500 – $5,000+ | Depends on how much framing is affected |
How It Works
Describe What You Found
Tell us about wings, mud tubes, soft wood or anything else that worried you.
Request Gets Routed
Your details go to an independent provider in the network, not to a call center.
Provider Inspects
The provider contacts you, sets a visit and looks over the home.
Review the Quote
Compare the written findings and price, then decide with no obligation.
Why Call Defendcounts Pest Control
Clear Referral Model Upfront
We say plainly that we connect you to providers and never perform the work ourselves.
Independent Providers
Each provider runs their own business, sets their own quote and handles the work and the paperwork.
Plain Answers
Myths are corrected in simple words, so you know what to ask before agreeing.
Home Protection
Proper treatment protects structure, condition and resale value.
Other Services
Need residential termite treatment in Los Angeles?
Tell us what you found in your home. We pass your request to an independent provider in our network, who follows up with you directly.
Residential Termite Treatment FAQ
- How do I know if I have termites or just old wood damage?
- Mud tubes, discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood and tiny pellets point to termites. Rot and other causes can look similar, so a provider inspection is the reliable way to tell the difference.
- Does Defendcounts Pest Control do the termite treatment itself?
- No. Defendcounts Pest Control is a referral service. Your request goes to an independent provider in our network, and that provider handles the inspection, the quote, the treatment and any paperwork. We only make the connection.
- Will homeowners insurance pay for termite damage?
- Often not, since many policies treat termites as a maintenance issue. Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.
We service you here
Tell us what happened
Tell us what you found in your home. We pass your request to an independent provider in our network, who follows up with you directly.
No obligation