Palo Alto sits in the heart of Santa Clara County, and the housing stock here reflects that. Older wood-frame homes built on raised foundations sit next to mid-century slab construction, and the mix of crawlspace and slab properties means termite pressure shows up differently depending on the structure. Drywood termites are a real concern across this region, and subterranean termites work from the soil up through any gap they can reach. Both types can be active in the same property at the same time, which is why an inspection comes before any treatment decision.
We serve Palo Alto with the same approach that applies to every property we inspect: confirm what is present, identify how far it has spread, then match the treatment to those facts.
Whether you are a property manager with a multi-unit building, a homeowner who spotted something suspicious, or a buyer about to close on a house, the path forward starts with a phone call to (669) 359-4289.
Real estate moves quickly here, and a termite inspection often sits on the critical path between an accepted offer and a closing date. Buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders may all ask about a WDO inspection, which stands for wood-destroying organism inspection. It is the standard California term for the inspection that covers active termites, evidence of past activity, and other wood-destroying insects found during a thorough walkthrough.
Requirements vary by lender and by the specifics of the transaction. We do not state what any particular lender or buyer will require, because that changes from deal to deal. What we do is book the inspection and work around the timeline the transaction requires. Termite inspections are booked around your schedule, so fitting one in before a closing date is a straightforward conversation. Call and ask about a WDO inspection when you are ready to move forward.
Agents coordinating on behalf of a client can call directly to discuss timing. The inspection is scheduled, the structure is examined, and the findings are documented. For a property that has been on the market or is about to be listed, getting the inspection done early removes one of the variables that can delay a close.
Property managers with multiple units or commercial properties in the area can also arrange inspections on a schedule that works around tenants and occupancy. The process is the same regardless of property type: inspect first, then decide what treatment the findings call for.
When the inspector arrives, the guesswork ends. The inspection covers the full foundation perimeter, accessible crawlspace and subfloor framing, slab edges, visible wood framing in the attic where access allows, and exterior wood members around the structure. The goal is a complete picture of where termites are active, what type they are, and how far the infestation has reached before any treatment is discussed.
The inspection also looks at conditions that make a structure more vulnerable. Wood-to-soil contact, moisture accumulation, and areas of poor ventilation are noted alongside any termite findings. Moisture problems pointed out along with termite findings give the property owner a clearer picture of what the structure needs, not just what the termites have done. Other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles may be noted as part of the inspection, though our work is focused on termites.
The inspection is the foundation of every treatment decision. Nothing is quoted until the findings are in.
Before the colony does another season of damage, it helps to understand which situation you are actually in. The work we do here falls into a few clear categories, and the right starting point depends on which one fits.
A buyer walking into a transaction wants to know what the structure holds before the papers are signed. A pre-purchase inspection examines the property the same way any inspection does, with the added focus on documenting findings clearly so the buyer, the seller, and the agent all have the same information. If activity is found, the scope and the treatment options are explained before any commitment is made.
A property that has sat vacant for a period of time is worth inspecting before it is occupied again. Termite activity can develop without the kind of regular observation that comes with an occupied home, and the conditions that attract termites, moisture, wood-to-soil contact, and accumulated debris, tend to worsen when a property is unoccupied. An inspection at the point of re-entry gives the owner a clear baseline before the property is put back into use.
Seeing a mud tube along the foundation, finding frass near a baseboard, or spotting discarded wings after a swarm are all reasons to call rather than wait. An inspection after a specific finding focuses on confirming the termite type, locating the extent of the activity, and mapping what the treatment needs to cover. A careful inspection on every job means the full picture is documented before a recommendation is made.
Subterranean termites move through the soil and enter structures through gaps at the slab edge, foundation cracks, and plumbing penetrations. When the inspection confirms subterranean activity, the treatment involves creating a treated zone in the soil around and under the foundation. In-ground bait and monitoring stations can also be placed around the perimeter to work on the colony over time and provide ongoing early-warning monitoring between inspections.
Not every inspection starts with a visible sign. A property that has not been inspected in some time is worth examining even when nothing obvious has turned up. Drywood termites in particular can be active in attic framing or wall cavities without leaving signs that are easy to see from the ground. An inspection with no prior findings is still an inspection with findings. It either confirms the structure is clear or identifies activity early, when the treatment options are broader and the damage is more contained.
Booking your inspection takes one phone call. We confirm what is available when you call and work around the schedule that fits the property. For an occupied home, that means coordinating around the household. For a rental property, it means working around tenants. For a transaction with a closing date, it means making the timing part of the conversation from the start.
You are calling someone who knows the local termite pressure. The scope of the job and the rate are settled on the call before anything is booked, so there are no open questions when the visit is scheduled. We are available every day from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. People planning work in Palo Alto usually check the full list of termite services first.
Call (669) 359-4289 to find a time that works.
What a treatment costs depends on what the inspection confirms. The termite type, the size of the structure, the construction type, and how accessible the affected timber is all affect the scope of the work and the price that follows from it. A small spot treatment on accessible framing is priced differently from a full liquid barrier around a large slab perimeter, and whole-structure fumigation for a widespread drywood infestation involves a different scope again.
The rate is confirmed on the call before the visit is scheduled. Ask what it covers and you get a straight answer. The price is agreed before any treatment starts, so there are no open questions when the work begins.
Call (669) 359-4289 to get a quote.
We serve Palo Alto and the surrounding communities throughout Santa Clara County. Properties in Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Ladera, Los Altos, and Mountain View are all covered.
If your property is in or around this part of the county, call (669) 359-4289 to confirm service at your address and get a quote.
A door or window that sticks without a clear cause can be a sign of structural wood movement, and termite damage is one possible explanation. It is not a definitive indicator on its own, but it is worth noting when you call and mentioning to the inspector during the visit.
Yes. A structure with mixed construction gets a full inspection of every accessible area, including the crawlspace subfloor framing, the slab perimeter, foundation walls, and the attic where access allows. Mixed construction can create multiple entry points for subterranean termites and multiple areas of concealed wood where drywood activity can establish. The inspection maps all of it before a treatment is discussed.
The price confirmed on the call covers the treatment type discussed and the scope of the property as described. Ask specifically what is included when you call, and you will get a direct answer before anything is scheduled.
Scheduling is a conversation.
If you are coordinating inspections across multiple properties in the area, call (669) 359-4289 and we will work out what the schedule allows.
The neighboring communities throughout this part of Santa Clara County are all covered, and timing across multiple properties can be discussed on the call.
Older wood-frame homes built on raised foundations tend to have more accessible crawlspace framing, which makes it easier to map the extent of any activity during an inspection. Slab-on-grade construction presents different access points, particularly at the slab edge and around plumbing penetrations. The inspection approach adjusts to the construction type, and the treatment recommendation follows from what the inspection actually finds.
Yes. The annual visit includes a re-inspection of the structure, a check of any bait stations in place, and a review of conducive conditions that may have changed since the last visit. It is a full check, not a brief walkthrough.
Sustained moisture in wood framing is a significant conducive condition. Subterranean termites are drawn to moist wood, and dampwood termites, where present, require it. A leak that is not repaired creates ongoing favorable conditions regardless of what treatment is applied. The inspector notes moisture problems alongside termite findings.
An attached deck is part of the structure and is included in the inspection. Wood decking, framing, and ledger boards are all points where drywood or subterranean termite activity can establish, and they are examined as part of the full inspection.
No matter how deep the termites have tunneled, the first step is a phone call. We inspect, confirm what type of termite is present and how far it has spread, and quote the treatment before anything is scheduled. The price is agreed before any treatment starts.
Call (669) 359-4289 to get started. We are open every day from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
A protected foundation. A clear report. A plan you can follow.
Termite control also reaches these towns: Los Altos, Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Sunnyvale.
(669) 359-4289