The short version
Most termite problems in Pasadena are western subterranean termites, and the usual fix is a liquid soil treatment or bait stations. Drywood termites need fumigation or wood treatment instead. Start with an inspection; $75–$250 is typical.
- Look for mud tubes, shed wings and hollow-sounding wood.
- Swarms usually show up in spring.
- Drywood termites need wood treatment or fumigation instead.
- An inspection typically costs $75–$250.
- Insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
Homeowners, landlords and anyone buying or selling a house in Pasadena, whether you've spotted something or just want to know what to watch for.
What to look for
Termites work quietly. A colony can feed inside a wall for years. Winters around Pasadena stay mild, with average lows near 46°F, so colonies keep feeding all year. Spongy floors or bubbling paint usually mean long-running damage. So it's worth an inspection, even for one or two signs.
- 1Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- 2Tiny pinholes in drywall rimmed with mud.
- 3Buckling laminate or warped hardwood flooring.
- 4Termite tubes hanging down from ceilings or joists.
- 5Termite activity reported at a neighbor's home.
- 6Crumbling baseboards behind furniture.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Colonies grow and spread every year they go untreated.
- Damage hides behind drywall, flooring and trim.
- Homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
- An active infestation can complicate a home sale.
Treatment options and typical costs
Termite Inspection and WDI Report
$75–$250
The inspector checks the foundation, garage, attic and damp spots. Bring up anything you’ve noticed.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job, real estate closings, and yearly peace of mind
Localized Wood, Foam, and Borate Treatment
$250–$1,500
For new decks, additions, or repairs in Pasadena, borate on the framing is cheap insurance. Ask to have the wood treated before it's closed in.
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Small drywood spots, wall voids, and exposed framing
Liquid Soil Termiticide Barrier
$1,200–$3,500 (often $3–$16 per linear foot)
Crews in Pasadena dig a shallow trench against the foundation, rod termiticide into the soil, and backfill. Fipronil-type products are widely published to last five years or more.
- Time
- Half a day to a full day
- Best for
- Active subterranean termites; fast knockdown around the foundation
Fumigation for Drywood Termites
$1,200–$4,000 (often $1–$4 per square foot)
Fumigation does not treat subterranean termites living in the soil. A Pasadena home with both species may need a soil barrier as well as the tent.
- Time
- 2–3 days including tenting and aeration
- Best for
- Widespread drywood termites throughout a structure
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
Crawl spaces are where termites usually get in. Joists, piers and the sill plate should all get a close look.Which termites live around Pasadena.
It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture. Drywood termites are common around Pasadena as well, flying straight into attic framing, eaves and furniture without any soil contact. Look for tiny piles of pellets that look like coarse sand. The termite you're most likely to meet in Pasadena is the western subterranean termite.
Local termites conditions in Pasadena.
Across Pasadena, the area is mostly residential, so termites pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. An inspection in Pasadena usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Pasadena's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. A provider who works Pasadena and California every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options. Pasadena sits in a local climate, and that sets the pace for termite activity here: the warmer months.
Mulch piled against the house and a dripping hose bib give termites moisture and cover. Pull mulch back and fix the drip.When termites swarm here.
Across Pasadena, western subterranean termites usually swarm in spring, and again in fall after the first good rain. Drywood termites around Pasadena tend to swarm in late summer and fall. A swarm outside means a colony is nearby. A swarm inside usually means it's in the house. Save a few in a bag, or snap a clear photo. Swarm season is when termites show themselves.
Where to look around your house.
Check the garage edges and behind baseboards. Look where pipes come through the floor. Outside, watch for mud tubes behind shrubs. Keep soil and mulch below the slab edge. The same advice applies across the area, from Pasadena out to Glendale and Los Angeles. Many homes in Pasadena sit on concrete slabs, so termites come up through expansion joints, plumbing gaps and settlement cracks.
A year of termites in Pasadena.
- Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Pasadena, before swarm season starts. - Spring and fall: swarm seasons. Across Pasadena, swarms often follow the first warm days and the first fall rain. - Summer: with highs around 88°F in Pasadena, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs. - Fall: with about 21 inches of rain a year in Pasadena, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
What happens at an inspection.
The inspector walks the outside of the house first. They check the foundation, the soil line and nearby wood. Inside, they check the garage, baseboards, plumbing gaps and the attic. On a slab, they focus on joints, cracks and pipe gaps. A moisture meter and a probe help them find hidden activity. Afterward, ask them to show you what they found. Photos help. Most inspections take an hour or two.
Termites or ants?
- Tunnels: termite galleries are packed with mud. Ant tunnels are clean and smooth. - Wings: termite wings are all the same length. Ant wings aren’t. - Waist: termites are thick through the middle. Ants are pinched. - Antennae: termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae bend like an elbow. - Debris: termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave sawdust.
Getting ready for treatment day.
Clear a walking path along the exterior walls. Move boxes away from garage walls. Flag sprinkler heads and buried lines. Keep kids and pets inside while the California crew applies the product, and ask how long to stay off treated soil. 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). Drill holes in slabs or patios get patched afterward. Prep is light for liquid treatments and bait stations.
Mulch and termites.
A dry gap along the house makes mud tubes easier to spot; in California's dry climate the risk is irrigation and leaky hose bibs rather than rain. Wood chips touching the siding trap the moisture termites are after. Pull mulch back from the foundation and keep the layer thin.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- What do I need to do before and after treatment? - Which termites did you find, and where? - What product or system will you use? - Is the whole foundation treated, or just one spot? - What does the warranty cover, and for how long? - What does the yearly renewal cost?
What affects the price
- Local labor rates and licensing requirements.
- Annual renewal and monitoring fees.
- Number of bait stations required.
- Extent of existing damage needing repair.
- Slab, crawl space, or basement construction.
- Liquid barrier versus bait station system.
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What's your biggest concern about termites?
When to call for help
Call if you see mud tubes, pellets or an indoor swarm. Hollow-sounding wood is another clue. Buying or selling? Get a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report either way. Lenders often ask for one. It's also the cheapest termite service. Carpenter ants leave clean tunnels and sawdust. Termites leave mud.
What you can do yourself
Treating an active colony is harder. The product has to reach the whole colony. It also needs even coverage around the entire foundation. Store-bought sprays usually kill only the termites you see. Some of the work is yours. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Fix leaks and clear gutters. Keep firewood away from the house.
Termites in Pasadena
Like nearby Glendale, Pasadena gets about 21 inches of rain a year, so termites gather wherever extra water collects, like sprinkler zones, hose bibs and AC drain lines. Termite activity in California is above average. Most houses will see termites at some point.
Local research
Termites in Pasadena, CA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in California, when they are busiest around Pasadena, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
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 ProgramTermite 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 around Pasadena
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
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
Simple ways to keep termites away
- Use borate-treated or pressure-treated lumber for repairs.
- Store firewood well away from the house, off the ground.
- Ventilate crawl spaces and control humidity.
- Repair rotting trim, fascia, and window frames.
- Keep the termite renewal contract current after treatment.
In an apartment building, termites travel through shared walls and slab joints, so one unit's problem is the whole building's problem.Did you know?
Across Pasadena, termites have been chewing wood for well over 100 million years, since the age of the dinosaurs.
Questions people ask
How do I choose a termite company?
Look for a state license, insurance, and a proposal from any Pasadena company that names the species, product, and warranty. Get two quotes in Pasadena and compare what each includes. Ask how the Pasadena technician plans to handle slabs, decks, and crawl spaces.
How long does termite treatment take?
Most Pasadena, California termite jobs are finished in one visit. Trenching and drilling for a barrier is the longest part. Baiting is quick to install but needs quarterly checks. If your Pasadena pro recommends fumigation, plan to be out of the house for about three days.
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a house?
Get one. A WDI inspection is the cheapest protection a buyer in Pasadena, California can purchase. It records what the inspector saw and anything around the house that could attract termites. If the report shows activity, you can negotiate treatment or repairs with the Pasadena seller before you close.
What does a WDI report include?
Expect a form with checkboxes and a diagram of the Pasadena house. The inspector marks where evidence was found and whether active. Recommendations for treatment or repair follow. Lenders in Pasadena usually want the report dated within about 30 days of closing.
Can termites damage a house on a concrete slab?
Slab construction in Pasadena hides termite entry very well. With no crawl space to inspect, the first sign in a Pasadena home may be damaged trim or a swarm indoors. Bait stations around a Pasadena slab home are a popular option because they avoid extensive drilling through floors.
Are termites common in California?
Around Pasadena, the usual culprit is the western subterranean termite.
Sources (4)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Termite Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides