Palo Alto and the communities around it, including Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Ladera, Los Altos, and Mountain View, sit in a part of California where termites are a year-round concern. Drywood termites move into wood directly, no soil contact required, and subterranean termites work up from the ground through foundations and framing. Both types are active in this region, and both can cause serious structural damage long before the signs become obvious. The Sandman Termite inspects to confirm what is present, treats based on what the inspection finds, and helps property owners stay ahead of new activity after the initial work is done.
Palo Alto has a mix of property types: older homes with raised foundations and crawlspaces, newer construction on slabs, university-adjacent rentals, and commercial buildings where a termite report is part of a transaction or a lease renewal. Each of those situations calls for something slightly different, and we handle all of them. Whether you own a single residence, manage a portfolio of rental properties, or are a buyer or seller working against a closing date, the process starts the same way: a thorough inspection before anything else is recommended or priced.
The most efficient point to address subterranean termite pressure is before a foundation goes down. Once a slab is poured, the soil beneath it is sealed off, and any treatment that follows has to work around the structure rather than through it. Pre-construction soil treatment applies a termiticide to the prepared ground before concrete is placed, creating a treated zone that is built into the structure from the start.
Builders and developers working in Palo Alto and the surrounding area can schedule pre-construction treatment at the right stage of the project. The window is narrow, and once it closes it does not come back. If you are working on new construction and want to know what is involved, call for a quote before the pour is scheduled.
Drywood termites are a genuine and common concern in this region. They do not need soil contact, which means they can establish colonies inside attic framing, structural lumber, door frames, and wood trim without any visible exterior sign. The evidence they leave behind, small kick-out holes and pellet-like droppings called frass, is easy to overlook. When an infestation has spread through a significant portion of the structure, whole-structure fumigation is typically the most thorough response. The building is tented and treated so the fumigant reaches termites throughout the entire structure, including areas that localized methods cannot reliably access. When the infestation is smaller and contained to accessible wood, a localized spot treatment or borate wood treatment may be the more proportionate approach.
Subterranean termites travel through the soil and build mud tubes along foundation walls, piers, and floor joists as they move toward wood. The tubes are one of the clearest indicators of active or recent subterranean activity, and finding them during an inspection helps map how far the colony has moved. A WDO inspection also notes the presence of other wood-destroying organisms where found, including carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles such as powderpost beetles, as well as wood-decay fungus. Those organisms are reported as part of the inspection findings, not treated as separate services.
A completed treatment addresses what is active at the time. Ongoing monitoring is what keeps the protection working afterward. In-ground bait and monitoring stations remain in place between visits and provide an early-warning layer, so new activity is caught before it becomes a larger problem. Annual re-inspections re-check the full structure and service any stations in place. If retreatment is needed, that visit is part of the continuing relationship rather than a separate process to start from scratch.
A property that has been vacant for an extended period is worth inspecting before it is reoccupied or relisted. Termite activity that went unnoticed during a vacancy can be well established by the time someone looks. We inspect the full structure, document what is present, and recommend the treatment that fits what was found.
When drywood termite activity is contained to a specific accessible area, a targeted approach may be the right fit rather than a whole-structure response. Borate wood treatments are applied directly to exposed framing, joists, and structural members, providing protection in that section of the structure. The inspection determines whether the scope of the infestation calls for this approach or something broader.
A liquid termiticide barrier is the standard approach for subterranean termites. The soil around and under the foundation is trenched and treated with a non-repellent termiticide, creating a zone that intercepts termites moving through the ground toward the structure. The non-repellent formulation means termites do not avoid the treated area, which is what makes it effective against a colony working underground.
The treatment requires access to the foundation perimeter and any interior areas that need to be covered. Slab foundations, raised foundations with crawlspaces, and structures with concrete or paver hardscape adjacent to the foundation all present different access considerations, and the technician will explain what is involved before work begins. Products are applied according to label directions, and the technician will cover re-entry timing and any preparation needed beforehand.
Bait and monitoring stations are often paired with a barrier for properties where both approaches make sense. Stations are installed at intervals around the perimeter, and termites encounter them during normal foraging activity. The bait works through the colony over time, reducing the population at the source.
The detail lives on the wood damage page.
Booking an inspection in Palo Alto takes one phone call. Same-day appointments are often available, including for urgent situations. When you call, we confirm the address, go over what the inspection covers, and give you a clear price before anything is scheduled.
For real estate transactions, a wood-destroying organism inspection produces the termite letter or clearance letter that lenders and agents need before a sale or refinancing can close. We work with buyers, sellers, and agents to get the inspection scheduled and the documentation turned around to fit escrow timelines. Tenanted properties and occupied commercial buildings are handled with the same care: the technician will explain what preparation is needed before the visit and what the household or building occupants should do in advance of any treatment.
We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Call (669) 359-4289 to schedule.
The inspection findings and treatment cost are explained together, so you understand what was found and what addressing it will involve before any work is authorized. The price depends on the termite type confirmed, the size and construction type of the structure, and the method that fits the situation. A larger home with a complex foundation and a widespread infestation calls for a different calculation than a smaller property with a contained spot of activity.
The inspection is what makes the quote accurate. Without it, any number is a guess. Call for a quote and we will tell you what the inspection covers and what to expect before we schedule anything.
This is a local termite company, answerable to the homes it protects.
A homeowner who spots a swarm, finds frass near a windowsill, or taps a wall that sounds hollow needs a thorough inspection before anything else. The inspection confirms whether termites are active, identifies the species, and maps how far the infestation has spread. That information is what drives the treatment recommendation, and it is what prevents the wrong method being applied to the wrong problem.
Once the inspection is complete and the findings are reviewed, treatment is scheduled based on what was found. The method, the scope, and the preparation required all follow from the inspection, not from a standard package. The service page carries the full breakdown of treatment options and what each one involves. We'll find the right treatment for your home.
An annual inspection and monitoring plan is how a property stays protected after the initial treatment. The structure is re-checked each year, monitoring stations are serviced, and any new activity is caught early. For property managers handling multiple units or landlords with rental properties in Palo Alto, an ongoing plan also keeps inspection records current. We take pride in the protection we leave behind.
Subterranean or drywood, we treat the one you actually have.
We cover Palo Alto and the neighboring communities in Santa Clara County, including Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Ladera, Los Altos, and Mountain View. If your property is in or near any of these areas, call to confirm service availability and get an inspection on the calendar.
A vacant property is worth inspecting carefully before it is relisted or reoccupied, because termite activity that went unnoticed during the vacancy can be well established by the time anyone looks. Drywood termites in particular can spread through attic framing and structural lumber without any obvious exterior sign. An inspection documents the current condition of the structure, confirms whether activity is present, and gives the owner a clear picture of what addressing it will involve before the property changes hands or is put back into use.
Yes, and it is one of the main things the inspection accounts for. A raised foundation with an accessible crawlspace allows for a thorough barrier treatment in areas that a slab foundation would seal off. Older homes with exposed framing in the crawlspace or attic give the inspector more to work with when mapping where activity has spread. The construction type does not determine whether termites are present, but it shapes which treatment method is practical and what access the technician will need before work begins.
That is a question worth raising when you call. The specifics depend on the plan and the situation, and we can walk through the options when a property changes hands. Continuity of monitoring is valuable for the new owner, and it is worth a conversation rather than letting the plan lapse at closing.
The first signs vary by termite type. With drywood termites, frass collecting near baseboards or windowsills is often the first thing a homeowner spots. With subterranean termites, mud tubes along the foundation or a hollow sound when tapping structural wood are common early indicators. Swarmers inside the home are another sign that a colony is already established nearby.
Yes. The annual visit includes a re-inspection of the structure, not just a check of the bait stations. The inspector looks for new termite activity, reviews previously treated areas, and documents the current condition of the property. That documentation builds a record over time that is useful if activity is ever found or if the property changes hands.
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.
Yes. If monitoring lapsed for a period, the right starting point is a fresh inspection to establish the current condition of the property. From there, an ongoing annual plan can be put back in place. Call (669) 359-4289 and we will walk through what a restart involves for your property.
It does. Stacked firewood, lumber, or scrap wood against a foundation gives subterranean termites a direct bridge from the soil into the structure. Moving stored wood away from exterior walls and off the ground is one of the straightforward steps a homeowner can take to reduce exposure. The inspector will note conditions like this during the visit.
Yes. When a transaction is on a tight timeline, we work with buyers, sellers, and agents to get the inspection scheduled and the documentation turned around as quickly as the situation requires. Same-day inspections are often available. Call (669) 359-4289 with the closing date and we will work out the timing from there.
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.
The construction type affects where the inspector looks and how a barrier treatment is applied, but the underlying risk from subterranean termites is the same. A basement with wood framing, wood-to-concrete contact, or moisture issues can create conditions that make termite entry easier. The inspection covers those areas as part of the full walk-through.
Documentation of findings is part of the inspection process, and what was found is reviewed with you directly after the walk-through. If you have questions about specific evidence the inspector noted, raise them on the call when you schedule or at the time of the visit. The goal is that you understand exactly what was found before any treatment is discussed.
If you are dealing with a suspected infestation, a real estate inspection on a tight timeline, or a property that has not been checked in years, the right move is to call now. The Sandman Termite serves Palo Alto and the surrounding communities throughout Santa Clara County. Let's get your home inspected.
Call (669) 359-4289. We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Check our complete coverage area. We serve these towns nearby as well: Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Redwood City.
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