Local termite information

Termite control in California

Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.

Termites in California: what to know

Around California

Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.

What to note

Where you see termites, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.

A useful next step

Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.

Local research

Termites in California: what the public record shows

Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in California, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.

not available for the general public

Termite control products for drywood termites

Drywood and subterranean termite work in California is effectively professional-only; the state licenses it by branch.

UC Statewide IPM Program

Termite species recorded in California

Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) — FDACS lists it in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, California and Hawaii. Colonies contain…
Western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor) — UC IPM: 'California's second most important termite pest', 'commonly found along the Pacific coastal region extending into the Central Valley and deserts of Southern California'…
Desert subterranean termite (Heterotermes aureus) — UA Extension calls it an 'important structural pest' of the desert Southwest. UC IPM: 'flies in the late afternoon or early evening in July, August, and September'.
Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus) — Oregon State: causes damage to structures in the Pacific Northwest and 'may swarm any time of year'. Utah State describes swarmers 3/8 inch long and workers 1/4–3/8 inch, pale c…

When termites are busiest in California

Reticulitermes swarm in the afternoon in spring or fall on clear days after a soaking rain; drywood swarmers fly in daytime during summer and fall; Heterotermes aureus flies late afternoon/early evening in July–September (UC IPM).

UC IPM: Reticulitermes 'can be encountered in nearly all regions of the state'; the western drywood termite is 'California's second most important termite pest', found along the Pacific coast, Central Valley and Southern California deserts. FDACS lists California among states with Formosan termites. Branch 3 covers 'the control of wood-destroying pests or organisms by the use of insecticides or structural repairs and corrections'; Branch 1 covers fumigation.

Rules that apply in California

Structural Pest Control Board license branches (Branch 1 fumigation, Branch 3 wood-destroying organisms)

For context, nationally

approximately $2 billion per year — Annual US cost of subterranean termite treatment and prevention. University of Georgia Extension
Approximately $4.5 billion — Annual US spending to control subterranean termites and repair damage. University of Missouri Extension

Sources: Drywood Termites (Pest Notes); University of Georgia Extension; University of Missouri Extension; Formosan Termite Program; Not All Termites Are Terrible (Home and School IPM Newsletter); Termites | Solve Pest Problems. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore California cities

Anaheim

Mediterranean · urban setting

Termite control in California

Termites in California: what to know

Around California

What to note

A useful next step

Termites in California: what the public record shows

Termite species recorded in California

When termites are busiest in California

Rules that apply in California

For context, nationally

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Ask about termite control in California