Termite Control and Prevention in Danville CA

One of the most common signs of termites, especially subterranean ones, is the presence of mud tubes. These small, tunnel-like structures are made of dirt and termite saliva. Termites use them to travel safely between their underground nests and the wood they’re eating. You’ll often find these tubes on walls, foundations, crawl spaces, or basement areas. If you see one, break it open—if it’s active, you may see live termites inside. Even if the tube seems dry and empty, it still means they were there and might come back.

Termites eat wood from the inside out. This means that while the surface of the wood might look normal, the inside could be nearly gone. If you tap on wooden beams, floors, or walls and they sound hollow, that’s a warning sign. You might also notice blistering paint or wood that’s starting to warp. Sometimes, you’ll even find that wooden trim or flooring gives way easily when pressed. These are all clues that termites may be feeding underneath.

Termites have a “swarming” season where they leave their colony to start a new one. These swarmers look a lot like flying ants but drop their wings once they find a place to settle. If you see piles of small, clear wings on window sills, doorways, or near lights, it’s a sign that a colony may be trying to form nearby. This usually happens in the spring or early summer and is a big red flag for future infestation.

Drywood termites leave behind small piles of droppings, called frass. These droppings look like tiny wood-colored pellets and may appear below infested wood. Unlike other insects, termites don’t use their waste to build nests. Instead, they push it out of small holes near where they’re feeding. If you find these small piles on the floor or windowsill, take it seriously—it means termites are likely active.

When termites start eating wood, they do it quietly. They work from the inside out, and by the time you notice them, the damage might already be done. Wood that supports your house—like beams, floors, and walls—can become weak and unsafe. Over time, your home can lose its stability. Repairs to structural parts of a house are not only costly but also take time. The longer you wait, the worse the damage becomes.

Fixing termite damage is not like patching a hole in the wall. It often means tearing down parts of your home to replace weakened wood. That could include walls, floors, doors, and windows. In severe cases, homeowners may even need to move out while repairs are being made. This not only costs money but also disrupts daily life. A simple call for termite control early on can help avoid these large and unexpected expenses.

A termite problem can make it harder to sell your home. If an inspector finds active termites or past damage, buyers might walk away or offer less money. Even after treatment, homes with a history of termites might be viewed as risky. This can drop your property’s value significantly. People want peace of mind when buying a home, and knowing termites have been there can turn them off.

One of the most frustrating things about termite damage is that homeowners' insurance usually won’t pay for repairs. Insurance companies see termite damage as something that could have been prevented with proper care. This means the full cost of repairs comes out of your pocket. You could be looking at thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars for something that could have been fixed early with much less money.