Termite damage does not wait for a convenient moment. It works quietly inside walls, under floors, and through framing that nobody has looked at closely in years. Whether a property in Redwood City has been in the same family for decades or is changing hands next month, the question is the same: what is actually in there, and what does it take to stop it? The Sandman Termite handles that question from the first inspection through to the ongoing monitoring that keeps a property protected after treatment is done.
Redwood City is a city where the housing stock varies considerably, from older single-family homes with crawlspace foundations to multi-unit buildings and commercial properties. Real estate moves here, and with it comes the demand for WDO reports that lenders and agents need before a closing can proceed. Landlords managing rental properties need documented inspections and a record of treatment. Homeowners who have never had a termite inspection need to know where they stand. We handle all of it, and the process starts the same way every time: with a thorough inspection before any treatment is recommended or priced.
Not every termite problem looks the same, and not every property calls for the same response. The construction type, the age of the structure, the materials used, and where moisture or soil contact exists all shape what the inspection finds and what treatment fits. That is why we assess each property on its own terms rather than applying a standard approach before we know what is there.
Some homeowners call because they have seen something that concerns them, a discarded wing on a windowsill, a hollow-sounding section of baseboard, or small pellet-like droppings near a door frame. Others call because a sale is pending and a WDO report is required. In both cases, the inspection is the starting point. Work performed by licensed termite control technicians covers the full structure: foundation perimeter, subfloor framing, attic, exterior wood, and any area where conditions favor termite entry or activity. The findings are documented and reviewed before anything else is discussed.
When the inspection confirms active termites, the treatment plan follows from what was found. Drywood termites living inside the wood call for a different approach than subterranean termites traveling up from the soil. A widespread drywood infestation may call for whole-structure fumigation, which is the only method that reaches termites throughout the entire structure at once. Contained activity in accessible wood may be handled with localized treatment or borate application. Subterranean termites are addressed with a liquid termiticide barrier, sometimes paired with in-ground bait and monitoring stations. The inspection determines which situation applies. We'll find the right treatment for your home.
Treatment addresses the infestation that is present at the time. What comes after is the ongoing inspection and monitoring that keeps the protection current. For properties with in-ground bait stations, those stations are checked and serviced on a regular schedule. For properties that have had a liquid barrier treatment, an annual re-inspection allows new activity to be caught early before it has time to spread. This is the part of the job that matters over the long run, and it is available to every property we treat. The service page carries the full breakdown of what each plan covers.
Real estate transactions in Redwood City move on tight timelines, and a WDO report that is not ready on time can hold up a closing. We work with buyers, sellers, and their agents to schedule inspections that fit escrow. The report documents termite activity and covers other wood-destroying organisms the inspection is required to note, including carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decay fungus. Getting it turned around quickly is part of the job. Call (669) 359-4289 and let us know what the timeline looks like.
For occupied properties, the inspection and treatment are scheduled around the people who live there. The technician explains beforehand what preparation is needed, what areas need to be accessible, and what the household should plan for during and after the visit. For rental properties, we work with landlords and property managers to coordinate with tenants and keep the process as straightforward as possible. Same-day inspections are often available when the situation is urgent. Pick up the phone and we'll handle the details.
Detached structures on a property are not always included in a standard home inspection, but they are worth checking. Decks, fences, garden structures, and outbuildings made from untreated or older wood are real targets for drywood termite activity. If activity is found, treatment options depend on the size of the structure and how accessible the affected wood is. We assess these as part of the overall property picture rather than treating them as an afterthought.
Certain conditions make a structure more attractive to termites regardless of what treatment has been applied. Wood-to-soil contact, poor drainage near the foundation, and moisture accumulation in a crawlspace all create the kind of environment that draws termite activity. We note these conditions during the inspection and explain what addressing them involves, because correcting them is part of protecting the property over time.
In-ground bait and monitoring stations installed around the property perimeter are not a set-and-forget measure. They are checked on a regular schedule, and what they show between visits is part of the ongoing picture of the property's termite pressure. If a station shows new activity, that is caught early. Servicing the stations is part of the ongoing monitoring plan, not a separate call-out.
A property that has been vacant for an extended period is one that has not been watched. Termite activity that would have been caught early in an occupied home can go undetected for a long time in one that has been sitting. Before a vacant property is brought back into use, a thorough inspection is the right starting point. We look at the full structure, not just the areas that are immediately visible, and we document what we find before any work is recommended.
Not every sign of termite damage means an active infestation. Old damage from a colony that has long since died out looks different from damage where termites are still working. Distinguishing between the two matters, because treating for an active infestation that is not there is unnecessary, and missing one that is still active is a real problem. The inspection is designed to make that distinction clearly, and the findings are reviewed with the property owner before any treatment is proposed.
Before booking anything, our termite services page is worth a read.
Subterranean termites travel through the soil to reach a structure, which means the treatment has to address the soil rather than just the wood. A liquid termiticide barrier treatment works by treating the ground around and under the foundation with a non-repellent termiticide. The treated zone works on contact as termites move through it, without signaling the colony to change course. For the treatment to be applied properly, the foundation perimeter needs to be accessible. Areas where hardscape, planters, or stored materials block the soil line may need to be addressed before the treatment can be completed. The technician will walk through what access is needed before the visit is scheduled. Let us take care of the colony.
A termite inspection covers the full structure. The technician works through the foundation perimeter, any crawlspace or subfloor framing, the attic, interior wood surfaces, exterior siding and trim, and areas where moisture or soil contact creates favorable conditions for termite entry. The process is thorough rather than quick, because the point is to understand what is actually present, not to confirm a suspicion and move on.
After the inspection, findings are documented and reviewed with the property owner. The inspection findings and treatment cost are explained together, so the decision about how to proceed is based on a clear picture of what was found and what addressing it involves. Nothing is scheduled until that conversation has happened. This is a local termite company, answerable to the homes it protects.
Termite treatment pricing depends on several things: the size of the structure, how it is built, how accessible the affected timber is, and which treatment method the inspection shows is appropriate. A crawlspace foundation is scoped differently from a slab. A widespread drywood infestation that calls for fumigation is priced differently from contained activity in a section of accessible framing. Bait station installation across a larger property perimeter involves different considerations than a spot treatment on a small structure.
We do not quote a price before the inspection is complete, because the inspection is what makes the quote accurate. When you call, we confirm what the inspection involves and what it costs. After the inspection, the treatment options and their costs are explained clearly before any work is authorized. Call (669) 359-4289 to get the process started.
Simple scheduling. Competitive treatment pricing. Zero runaround.
We serve Redwood City and the surrounding communities throughout San Mateo County. Properties in North Fair Oaks, San Carlos, Foster City, Atherton, and Menlo Park are all within our regular service area. If your property is elsewhere in the county or just outside these communities, call to confirm we cover your address.
Coverage extends to residential properties of all types, multi-unit buildings, commercial premises, and properties in the middle of a real estate transaction that need a WDO report on a tight schedule. The county has a range of property ages and construction types, and we work across all of them.
Yes. If something comes up, call (669) 359-4289 and we will find a time that works. Same-day inspections are often available, so rescheduling does not usually mean a long wait to get back on the calendar.
The Bay Area's mild climate means termite pressure is present year-round rather than being concentrated in a single season. Drywood termites are a consistent concern in this part of California, particularly in older homes with exposed structural wood, wood siding, and attic framing that has not been inspected recently. Subterranean termites are also active in the region and are typically found where soil contact or moisture near the foundation creates a favorable entry point. An inspection is the only reliable way to determine which type is present and how far activity has spread.
Yes. We work with buyers, sellers, and their agents on transactions where the timeline is tight. When you call, let us know what the closing date looks like and we will schedule the inspection to fit. Same-day inspections are often available for urgent situations. The report documents termite activity and any other wood-destroying organisms the inspection is required to note, and we work to get it turned around so the transaction can move forward without delay.
That is a question worth raising when you call. The specifics depend on the plan and the situation, and we can walk through the options when a property changes hands. Continuity of monitoring is valuable for the new owner, and it is worth a conversation rather than letting the plan lapse at closing.
Yes. The annual visit includes a re-inspection of the structure, not just a check of the bait stations. The inspector looks for new termite activity, reviews previously treated areas, and documents the current condition of the property. That documentation builds a record over time that is useful if activity is ever found or if the property changes hands.
It does. Stacked firewood, lumber, or scrap wood against a foundation gives subterranean termites a direct bridge from the soil into the structure. Moving stored wood away from exterior walls and off the ground is one of the straightforward steps a homeowner can take to reduce exposure. The inspector will note conditions like this during the visit.
Yes, and doing so is often a smart move. A pre-listing inspection gives the seller a clear picture of the property's condition before buyers and their agents start asking questions. If activity is found, there is time to address it on a reasonable timeline rather than under the pressure of an open escrow. Call (669) 359-4289 to schedule.
The finding is documented and reviewed with you, and we recommend a treatment based on what was found and what type of termite is involved. An annual plan is designed to catch new activity early, before a colony has time to spread significantly. Finding something during a routine visit is exactly the outcome the plan is meant to produce.
It does, and it is one of the reasons the inspection comes before any treatment recommendation. Older homes with crawlspace foundations, exposed framing, and original wood siding present different access conditions and different termite entry points than newer slab construction. The construction type affects which treatment method is appropriate, how the soil treatment is applied around the foundation, and whether certain areas require additional preparation before work can begin. The technician assesses the structure during the inspection and explains what the findings mean for the treatment plan before anything is scheduled.
The first signs vary by termite type. With drywood termites, frass collecting near baseboards or windowsills is often the first thing a homeowner spots. With subterranean termites, mud tubes along the foundation or a hollow sound when tapping structural wood are common early indicators. Swarmers inside the home are another sign that a colony is already established nearby.
Termite damage does not pause while a decision is being made. A colony that is active today will be further into the structure next month, and the cost of addressing it goes up as the damage spreads. The inspection is the point where that changes, because it tells you exactly what is there and what it takes to stop it.
Call The Sandman Termite at (669) 359-4289. We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Let's get your home inspected.
Check our complete coverage area. We serve these towns nearby as well: San Mateo, Palo Alto, Hayward, Newark.
Not every termite situation calls for the same response, and we do not treat them that way. We start with a thorough inspection to confirm which termite type is active, how far it has spread, and what the structure looks like before we recommend anything. The table below lays out each method we use, what it is designed to do, and the kind of situation it fits best. When you call, we match the treatment to what we actually find.
| Treatment Option | How It Works | Best For | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Inspection and Monitoring | full structure re-checked each yearbait stations serviced and reviewed where presentfindings documented at every visit | Any property that has been treated and any homeowner who wants ongoing early detection rather than waiting for visible damage to appear | Recurring annual visit. Inspector checks for new mud tubes, frass, swarmers, and damaged wood, and reviews previously treated areas for any change in conditions. Builds a documented record of the property over time. This is the follow-up that keeps protection current after the initial treatment. |
| Wood and Spot Treatment | localized application to accessible infested woodborate treatments penetrate and protect treated sectionstargeted rather than whole-structure | Contained drywood termite activity in accessible areas where the infestation has not spread widely through the structure | Single or limited application depending on the scope. Technician confirms which approach fits the situation after the inspection. Not a substitute for fumigation when activity is widespread, but a proportionate response when the infestation is limited. |
| Liquid Termiticide Barrier | trench and treat soil around the foundationnon-repellent termiticide creates a treated zonetermites contact the product moving through soil | Subterranean termites entering from the soil toward the foundation | Single primary application with the foundation perimeter and slab edges addressed as the job requires. Products are applied according to label directions. Annual inspection and monitoring recommended to confirm the barrier is holding and catch any new activity early. |
| Pre-Construction Soil Treatment | soil treated before the slab is pouredcreates a termiticide zone at the foundation levelapplied at the right stage of the construction schedule | New construction in areas with subterranean termite pressure, where treating the soil before the foundation goes down is more efficient than treating after the build is complete | Single application timed to the construction schedule. We work with contractors and project managers to confirm the right treatment window. No follow-up treatment needed at the pre-construction stage, though annual inspection after occupancy is recommended. |
| Whole-Structure Fumigation | structure sealed with tarpstreatment reaches wood throughout the entire buildingcovers areas inaccessible to localized methods | Widespread drywood termite infestations that have spread through walls, attic framing, and structural members beyond what spot treatments can reach | Multi-step process requiring preparation before the visit. Technician walks you through everything needed beforehand, including re-entry timing per the product label. Addresses the full structure at once rather than section by section. |
| Termite Inspection (including WDO) | full walk of foundation, crawlspace, attic, and exterior woodchecks for mud tubes, frass, swarmers, and damaged wooddocuments findings before any treatment is recommended | Any homeowner with suspected activity, buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction, and lenders requiring a WDO clearance letter before a sale or refinance can close | Single visit with documented findings reviewed with you before treatment is discussed or priced. WDO report also covers other wood-destroying organisms inspectors are required to note, including carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decay fungus. Same-day inspections are often available. |
| Bait and Monitoring System | in-ground stations installed around the property perimeterforaging termites find and feed on the baitactive ingredient works through the colony over time | Subterranean termites, often paired with a liquid barrier for broader coverage on larger or more complex properties | Multi-step ongoing process. Stations are checked on a schedule and serviced as needed. Provides early-warning monitoring so new activity shows up in the stations before it reaches the structure. Works gradually rather than all at once. |
Call us to schedule a termite inspection or get a treatment quote. We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM at (669) 359-4289.
(669) 359-4289