Termites: drywood vs. subterranean, inspections and treatment
For Silicon Valley homes · Updated October 2026 · Sources below
California has two main kinds of termites: drywood termites, which live inside the wood and leave small six-sided pellets, and subterranean termites, which live in the soil and build mud tubes up the foundation. Whole-house fumigation (tenting) or heat is the only way to be sure every drywood colony is gone; local treatments only reach the spots they're aimed at. Subterranean termites need a soil treatment or baits instead.
The short version
- Drywood sign: tiny six-sided pellets; subterranean sign: mud tubes
- Tenting or whole-house heat for drywood; local treatments only reach known spots
- Fumigation means leaving home for 6 hours to a week
- Keep wood at least 12 inches above the soil to discourage subterranean termites
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What it costs
- Termite treatment$263 - $1,033
- Tenting (fumigation)$5 - $20 per linear foot
Typical ranges from published cost guides - mostly national figures. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Your actual price depends on your home and the job, and a pro gives you the real number. Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide (national) (Jun 2026). Have a quote? Check it with the Quote Explainer
Signs of termites
- Small piles of pellets with six flat sides (drywood termites)
- Mud tubes on the foundation or in the crawl space (subterranean)
- Winged termites swarming, or piles of shed wings near windows
- Wood that sounds hollow or is easily punctured with a screwdriver
- Bubbling paint or blistered wood
Tenting or local treatment?
- Whole-structure fumigation or heat: the only options that ensure every drywood colony in the house is gone, including hidden ones.
- Local (spot) treatment: liquids, foams, heat, microwaves or wood replacement aimed at known spots. It can work for a small, well-located infestation but isn't whole-house control.
- Subterranean termites: treated with a soil treatment around the foundation or bait systems - fumigation doesn't work on them.
- A company that promises whole-house results from a local treatment is misrepresenting it, per the Structural Pest Control Board.
In Silicon Valley
- The western drywood termite is native to California and is the most common drywood species, found along the Pacific coast and into the Central Valley.
- Native subterranean termites (Reticulitermes) swarm on clear afternoons in spring or fall after a soaking rain.
- Termite companies in California are licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board. Check the company's license on the board's website before you sign.
- Many infestations are found during the inspection for a home sale. UC IPM suggests homes with a history of subterranean termites be inspected every 3 to 5 years.
Questions homeowners ask
How do I know if I have drywood or subterranean termites?
Drywood termites leave small, hard pellets with six flat sides that pile up below kick-out holes. Subterranean termites build mud tubes from the soil up the foundation and leave damaged wood that follows the grain. A licensed inspector can confirm which you have.
Do I need to tent my house for termites?
For drywood termites, tenting (or whole-house heat) is the only way to be sure every colony is gone. If the infestation is small and easy to reach, a local treatment may be enough - but it won't treat colonies hidden elsewhere. Subterranean termites are treated in the soil, not by tenting.
How long do I have to leave my house for termite fumigation?
Anywhere from six hours to a week, according to the Structural Pest Control Board. You'll remove pets and plants and remove or seal food and medicines first.
Is a termite inspection required when selling a house in California?
It's very common, and many problems are found during the inspection for a sale, but whether one is required depends on the purchase contract and the buyer's loan. Ask your agent, and use a company licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board.
How do I prevent subterranean termites?
Keep wood at least 12 inches above the soil, fix leaks and drainage problems, and remove scrap wood, old stumps and untreated posts touching the ground near the house. Stucco that runs into the soil can hide termite entry.
How much does termite treatment cost?
HomeAdvisor's national guide puts local termite treatment at about $263 to $1,033, and tenting at about $5 to $20 per linear foot of the house. Bay Area prices usually run higher.
Save with your neighbors
Termite inspection is a job neighbors team up on: one pro, one trip down your street, a group price the pro sets. Three homes start it.
Start or join a Neighborhood Block DealQuestions to ask the pro
- What type of termite is it, and where exactly did you find them?
- Do you recommend fumigation or local treatment, and why?
- What does your inspection report list as active infestation vs. conditions that could lead to one?
- What's the warranty, and does it include follow-up inspections?
- What's your Structural Pest Control Board license number?
Before you sign, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov. How to hire a contractor in California
Need a termite company?
Tell us about the job in 2 minutes - free. We send it to one local pro at a time, never a crowd.
Related answers
Sources
- UC IPM - Drywood termites
- UC IPM - Subterranean and other termites
- California Structural Pest Control Board - Termites: Questions & Answers
- HomeAdvisor - Termite treatment cost guide
General information for Silicon Valley homeowners, not professional advice for your home. Rules and programs change - check the source, and have a licensed pro look at your situation.