When a real estate agent in Los Altos needs a WDO report before a closing, or a property manager needs a documented inspection before a tenant moves back in, the call lands with us. The Sandman Termite handles those requests alongside the homeowner who noticed something in the crawlspace and wants to know what it is. Both situations call for the same first step: a thorough inspection that confirms what is actually there before any treatment is discussed or priced.
Los Altos is a city of established single-family homes, many of them with raised foundations, older framing, and mature landscaping close to the structure. That combination is exactly what makes termite pressure a real concern here. Drywood termites can work through attic lumber and structural members for months before anyone notices. Subterranean termites move through the soil and build their way into a structure from below. We inspect for both, and we treat based on what the inspection finds.
No treatment is quoted and no work is scheduled until the inspection is complete. That is not a formality. It is the only way to know whether you are dealing with a drywood infestation in the framing above, subterranean activity coming up from the soil below, or both at once.
A home that has not been inspected recently may have active termite activity that has gone undetected for some time. The inspector covers the foundation perimeter, the crawlspace or subfloor framing, the attic, exterior wood, and any area where wood contacts soil or moisture is present. What we are looking for includes mud tubes along foundation walls and piers, frass near baseboards and windowsills, hollowed or damaged structural wood, and conditions that make the structure more vulnerable to entry. The findings are documented and reviewed with you before any recommendation is made.
If you have seen swarmers, found frass, or tapped a wall that sounds wrong, the inspection turns that observation into a confirmed finding. Swarmers inside the structure are a strong signal that a colony is already established within the building, not just nearby. Mud tubes are a clear indicator of subterranean activity. Neither one tells you the full picture on its own, and the inspection is how we map what is actually happening and where.
A wood-destroying organism inspection produces the formal, documented report that lenders and real estate agents require before a transaction can close. Beyond termites, the WDO report covers other wood-destroying organisms an inspector is required to note, including carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decay fungus. We work with agents, buyers, and sellers in Los Altos and schedule inspections to fit escrow timelines. The inspection findings and what they mean for the transaction are explained clearly before anything else moves forward.
Booking your inspection takes one phone call. When you call (669) 359-4289, we confirm the address, go over what the inspection covers, and give you the cost before anything is scheduled. Same-day inspections are often available, including when a closing date is close and the report needs to move quickly.
If the property is occupied, we work around the household. If it is a rental with a tenant in place, we coordinate to minimize disruption. If it is a property being prepared for sale, we understand that timing matters and we treat the schedule accordingly. The inspection findings and treatment cost are explained together so you know what was found and what addressing it involves before any work is authorized.
We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Call when it works for you.
The cost of treatment depends on what the inspection finds, not on a flat rate applied before anyone has looked at the property. Several things shape the final number.
The size and construction type of the structure matter. A slab foundation calls for different barrier treatment logistics than a raised foundation with a crawlspace. The extent of the infestation matters. A widespread drywood infestation that has moved through attic framing and structural members throughout the building is a different job from a contained pocket of activity in accessible wood. The treatment method matters. Whole-structure fumigation, a liquid termiticide barrier, bait station installation, and localized spot treatments are each priced differently because they are each a different scope of work.
You get a clear price after the inspection, before any work is authorized. The inspection findings and the treatment recommendation are reviewed together so the cost makes sense in context. The service page carries the full breakdown of what each treatment involves. Call for a quote at (669) 359-4289 and we will tell you what it covers.
For a fuller picture of the job, see the WDO inspection page.
In a city where a significant share of homes sit on raised foundations, the space underneath the structure is where much of the important work happens. Subterranean termites come up from the soil, and the crawlspace is often where their mud tubes first appear, running up piers, foundation walls, and floor joists as the colony works its way toward the wood framing above.
Crawlspace conditions vary considerably from one property to the next. Some are accessible and well-ventilated. Others are low-clearance, poorly ventilated, and complicated by moisture or debris. Moisture and wood-to-soil contact are conducive conditions that raise termite risk and are noted during the inspection. Where those conditions are present, they are part of the picture we describe when we review findings with you. A crawlspace that is difficult to access does not get skipped. It is where the inspection often matters most.
Subterranean or drywood, we treat the one you actually have. The job type follows from the inspection. Below are the specific kinds of work we carry out.
When drywood termite activity is contained to a specific area of accessible wood, a localized spot treatment or borate wood treatment addresses that section of the structure directly. Borate treatments penetrate wood and work against termites in the treated area. This is the proportionate response when the inspection confirms the infestation has not spread through the broader structure.
Bait stations are placed at intervals around the property perimeter, where foraging subterranean termites encounter them during normal activity. The active ingredient works through the colony over time. The stations also serve as an ongoing early-warning system, so new activity shows up in the stations before it reaches the building. Bait systems are often paired with a liquid termiticide barrier for broader coverage, particularly on properties where the foundation perimeter is the main entry point.
A liquid termiticide barrier addresses subterranean termites by treating the soil around and under the foundation with a non-repellent termiticide. The treated zone intercepts termites moving through the soil without alerting the colony to avoid the area. Foundation perimeters, slab edges, and crawlspace areas are covered as the job requires. Products are applied according to the label, and the technician explains any preparation needed beforehand, including re-entry timing.
Attached structures, including covered porches, wooden steps, and decks connected to the main building, are common entry points and often the first place termite activity appears. These areas are inspected and treated as part of the broader job rather than left out because they are not the main structure. Where the attachment creates soil-to-wood contact or a gap in the foundation perimeter treatment, that is addressed directly.
A property that has sat vacant for an extended period may have termite activity that went unnoticed because nobody was there to see it. Before a vacant property is brought back into use, a thorough inspection establishes the current condition. If activity is found, treatment is planned and carried out before the property is reoccupied.
Treatment handles what is active now. Annual inspections and ongoing monitoring keep the property protected afterward. Each year, the structure is re-checked so any new activity is found early. For properties with in-ground bait stations, those are checked and serviced on a regular schedule. Follow-up retreatment visits are part of the continuing relationship when they are needed, not a separate process to restart from scratch. We take pride in the protection we leave behind.
We serve Los Altos as a primary service area and cover the surrounding communities in Santa Clara County regularly. Neighboring areas we work in include:
If your property is in or near any of these areas, call to confirm service availability. This is a local termite company, answerable to the homes it protects.
We work across the full range of residential properties in Los Altos, including single-family homes with raised foundations, slab construction, and homes with attached structures such as porches and decks. We also handle WDO inspections for real estate transactions when a lender or buyer requires a clearance report before closing. If you are unsure whether your property type is covered, call and we will confirm.
Mulch holds moisture and can give subterranean termites a favorable environment close to the foundation. Deep mulch that contacts the siding or foundation framing is a condition the inspector will flag. Keeping mulch pulled back from the foundation line is a practical step that reduces one of the common risk factors.
Yes. Same-day inspections are often available, and we understand that real estate timelines do not always allow for a long wait. When you call, let us know that a closing date is involved and we will work around the schedule. The WDO report is turned around so it can reach your agent or lender without holding up the transaction.
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.
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.
It can. Termite damage to framing around door and window openings sometimes causes the wood to shift enough to affect how the door or window operates. It is not the only explanation, but it is one worth ruling out. An inspection can confirm whether termite activity is involved or whether the cause is something else.
That depends on access to the areas that need to be inspected, including the crawlspace, attic, and interior. Call (669) 359-4289 to discuss the specifics for your property. In some cases access can be arranged without the homeowner present, and in others the inspection is more complete when someone is available to provide access to locked or secured areas.
Yes. Construction type plays a direct role in how a treatment is scoped and priced. A slab foundation requires different barrier treatment logistics than a raised foundation with a crawlspace, and a larger or more complex structure affects the scope of fumigation. The inspection accounts for construction type before any price is given.
Not necessarily. A prior treatment addresses the infestation that was present at the time it was done. Without ongoing annual inspections and monitoring, new termite activity can establish itself in the years since. If you do not have a current inspection on file and you do not know when the last one was carried out, the right move is to schedule one now so you know where things actually stand.
Yes. Soil that slopes toward the foundation, irrigation that keeps the soil near the house consistently wet, and plantings that hold moisture against the siding all create conditions that favor subterranean termite activity. The inspector looks at the conditions around the foundation as part of the visit, not just the structure itself.
The fumigation process involves sealing the structure with tarps and working through a defined procedure that includes clearance testing before re-entry is permitted. The professionals performing the work manage the process from start to finish and will explain each stage, including how the property is secured and how re-entry is determined, before the job begins.
The findings are documented in the WDO report and reviewed with you before anything else moves forward. From there, the parties involved in the transaction decide how to handle treatment, and we can schedule the work to fit the escrow timeline. A finding during a sale is not the end of the transaction. It is a problem with a process for addressing it.
If you have seen something in your crawlspace, found frass near a baseboard, or received a termite report that raised questions, the next step is a conversation. Call The Sandman Termite at (669) 359-4289 and we will schedule the inspection, document what we find, and give you a clear price before any treatment begins.
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Check our complete coverage area. We serve these towns nearby as well: Mountain View, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara.
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