You push a screwdriver into what should be solid trim and it keeps going. Or you tap a baseboard and hear nothing where you expect resistance. That moment is when most people in San Mateo call us, and it is exactly the right time to do it. The Sandman Termite inspects the full structure, identifies what is active, and works out the treatment that fits what was found. We do not quote before we inspect, and we do not recommend a method before we know the termite type.
San Mateo's housing stock runs the full range: older homes with raised foundations and decades of untouched crawlspace framing, mid-century construction with wood details that have never been looked at closely, and newer multi-unit buildings where a single infestation can move between units before anyone notices. Landlords managing rental properties, agents working against a closing date, and homeowners who just want to know where they stand are all situations we handle regularly. The first step is always the same: get the inspection done and find out what is actually there.
Not every sign of termite damage means an active infestation, and not every hollow-sounding board means the colony is still there. Part of what a thorough inspection does is separate old damage from current activity. Frass that has been sitting in a windowsill for years looks different from frass that was deposited last week. A mud tube that crumbles and shows no live termites is a different finding from one with workers moving through it.
That distinction matters because the treatment recommendation follows from it. Treating for an active infestation is a different job from monitoring a structure where the damage is historical and the colony may have moved on or died out. We document what we find and explain what it means before any work is proposed.
Where damage has gone deep into structural framing, the inspection findings may indicate that a structural assessment is also warranted. That is a question for a licensed contractor or structural engineer, and we will tell you when the damage we are seeing raises it. Our job is the termite side of that picture. We will find the right treatment for your home.
Older homes in San Mateo often have framing that has never been treated and crawlspaces that have not been inspected in years. Drywood termites work from inside the wood and can be present for a long time before the evidence becomes obvious. Subterranean termites enter through soil contact points and leave mud tubes along foundation walls and floor joists. In an older structure, both types of activity can be present at the same time, in different parts of the building. The inspection covers the full structure, not just the areas that are easy to reach.
This comes up often enough that it deserves its own attention. Termite damage that looks alarming is not always current. An inspector who knows what to look for can tell the difference between a gallery that has been abandoned and one where workers are still feeding. That reading shapes everything that follows: whether treatment is needed now, what type fits the situation, and whether monitoring is the appropriate next step.
Sometimes a property has been treated before and activity has returned, or the original treatment did not reach the full extent of the infestation. This happens. The right response is a fresh inspection to map what is currently active and where, rather than retreating the same areas on the assumption that the original plan was correct. We approach retreatment calls the same way we approach any other job: inspect first, then decide.
After treatment is complete, the structure needs to be checked again. Some treatments require a follow-up to confirm the colony has been addressed. Others involve monitoring stations that are checked on a schedule. We handle those visits and document what is found at each one, so there is a clear record of the property's condition over time.
Multi-unit residential buildings, retail spaces, and commercial properties in San Mateo have their own set of considerations. Coordinating access across multiple units, working around business hours, and producing documentation that satisfies a property manager or building owner all require a different kind of planning than a single-family inspection. We handle commercial termite work and can discuss what the process looks like for a specific property when you call.
Termites follow moisture. Wood that stays damp, soil that presses against framing, and crawlspaces with poor ventilation all create conditions that make a structure more vulnerable. When an inspection turns up conducive conditions alongside termite activity, we note them in the findings. Addressing them is part of protecting the structure over time, not an optional add-on.
Termite treatment pricing is not a flat number. It depends on the type of termite confirmed by the inspection, the size and construction of the structure, and the method that fits the situation. A slab foundation calls for different logistics than a raised foundation with a crawlspace. A widespread drywood infestation that has moved through attic framing is a different scope from a contained area of activity in a single wall.
Whole-structure fumigation is priced based on the cubic footage of the structure. A liquid termiticide barrier treatment is scoped based on the foundation perimeter and any interior areas that need to be covered. Bait station installation and localized treatments are priced based on what the inspection finds. In every case, you get the price before anything is scheduled, and the inspection findings and treatment cost are explained together.
What you will not get is a number invented before anyone has looked at the property. The inspection is what makes the quote accurate. Call (669) 359-4289 and we will set that up.
Same-day inspections are often available, including when a transaction is on a tight timeline. When you call, we confirm the address, go over what the inspection covers, and give you the cost before anything is scheduled. There is no commitment to treatment until the inspection is complete and you have heard what was found.
For real estate transactions, the WDO report is the document that lenders and agents need to move a sale forward. It covers termite activity and also notes other wood-destroying organisms an inspector is required to report, including carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decay fungus. When a closing date is close, we work to get the inspection done and the paperwork turned around quickly. Call with the timeline and we will tell you what is available.
For households with tenants, pets, or business operations to work around, the technician will explain any preparation needed before the visit begins, including what the label requires for re-entry after treatment. Products are applied according to label directions. Questions about a specific product can be answered on the call or at the time of the visit.
Booking your inspection takes one phone call. Pick up the phone and we'll handle the details.
The specifics for a job like this are on the WDO inspection page.
Some calls come in because something looks wrong. Others come in because a property has not been inspected in years and the owner wants to know where things stand. Both are good reasons to schedule. An inspection that finds nothing active is still useful: it establishes a baseline and confirms that the structure is clear at that point in time. An annual inspection keeps that record current and catches new activity before it spreads.
When the inspection confirms an active infestation, the treatment plan follows from what was found. Drywood termites living inside the wood of a structure that has seen widespread activity typically call for whole-structure fumigation. Subterranean termites entering through the soil call for a liquid termiticide barrier, bait stations, or a combination of both. Smaller, contained infestations may be addressed with localized spot treatment or borate wood treatment applied to accessible framing. The service page carries the full breakdown of each approach.
Treatment addresses the infestation that is present. What comes after treatment is what keeps the protection working. An annual inspection re-checks the full structure, confirms that the treated areas are holding, and catches any new activity early. For properties with bait stations in the ground, those stations are checked and serviced as part of each visit. This is how a one-time treatment becomes long-term protection.
This is a local termite company, answerable to the homes it protects.
Yes, and that window is the only time it is possible. Pre-construction soil treatment is applied to the prepared ground before concrete is poured, creating a treated zone that is built into the foundation from the start. Once the slab is down, that opportunity is gone. For builders and developers working in San Mateo and the surrounding area, scheduling the soil treatment at the right stage of construction is a straightforward step that avoids a much more complicated one later. Call to confirm availability and timing before the pour is scheduled.
Subterranean or drywood, we treat the one you actually have.
We provide termite inspections and treatment throughout San Mateo and the neighboring communities in San Mateo County, including:
If your property is in or near any of these areas, call to confirm service availability. Coverage for addresses farther out in the county can be confirmed on the call.
A WDO inspection covers the full accessible structure, not just areas where activity is visible. The inspector examines the foundation, crawlspace, attic, interior wood, and exterior framing, and the report documents what was found and where. Lenders and buyers rely on the report to understand the condition of the entire structure, so a partial inspection would not produce the clearance letter a transaction requires. If something is found, the report notes it and the findings are explained before any treatment decision is made.
Yes. When part of a structure is blocked, sealed, or otherwise inaccessible, the report documents that so you know exactly what was and was not examined. If those areas become accessible later, we can return to inspect them. A complete picture matters before any treatment decision is made.
A second opinion is a reasonable step when the recommended treatment is significant, such as whole-structure fumigation, or when you want to confirm the findings before committing to a course of action. The inspection findings drive the treatment recommendation, and understanding what was found and why a particular method fits is something we are willing to walk through in detail. Call (669) 359-4289 with questions.
Yes. A prior treatment addresses the infestation that was present at the time, but it does not prevent new activity from developing. Drywood termites can re-enter a structure through exposed wood, and subterranean termites can find new entry points as soil conditions change. An inspection on a previously treated property also confirms whether the original treatment is holding and whether any conducive conditions have developed since. If it has been a few years since the last inspection, scheduling one now is the practical next step.
Documentation of findings is part of the inspection process, and what was found is reviewed with you directly after the walk-through. If you have questions about specific evidence the inspector noted, raise them on the call when you schedule or at the time of the visit. The goal is that you understand exactly what was found before any treatment is discussed.
Each property is inspected and monitored individually because the findings, the construction type, and the treatment history are specific to that address. If you manage multiple properties, we can coordinate scheduling across them. Call to discuss how to set that up in a way that works for your situation.
Multi-unit buildings present a particular challenge because activity in one unit can go undetected in others until it has spread through shared framing or wall voids. Drywood termites, which live inside the wood and do not need soil contact, are especially difficult to catch early in this kind of construction. A whole-building inspection that covers common areas, crawlspaces, and attic framing gives a more complete picture than inspecting individual units in isolation. If you manage a multi-unit property in San Mateo and have not had a full inspection recently, that is the right place to start.
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.
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.
Wondering whether that soft spot in the trim is termites, or whether the inspection you had three years ago is still current, or whether the report you need for a closing can be turned around in time: none of those questions answer themselves. The Sandman Termite is available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Call (669) 359-4289 and we will schedule the inspection that tells you exactly what you are dealing with. Let's get your home inspected.
Check our complete coverage area. We serve these towns nearby as well: Redwood City, Hayward, Palo Alto, 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