Residential Termite Control
Protecting Southern California homes from termites for over 20 years. Free whole-structure inspections, every treatment option, and honest recommendations — from Orange County to Riverside County.
12,600+
Homes Protected
19 Years
In Business
4.8★
Google Rating
4 Counties
Service Area
What Residential Termite Service Covers
Ultimate Termite Control (CA SPCB License #PR7791) provides residential termite inspection, treatment, and in-house structural repair across Orange County, Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, and Riverside County. We serve single-family homes, condos, townhomes, mobile homes, historic properties, and new construction — any residential structure with wood framing is within scope.
Inspections are free in Orange County and bordering cities, with same-week scheduling in most areas. Every treatment comes with a one-year written warranty and free re-treatment if covered termites return. The fork that determines treatment is species: drywood termites live inside the wood they consume and require surface or whole-structure treatment, while subterranean termites travel from soil colonies through mud tubes and require a soil-applied barrier. Your inspector identifies the species on site before quoting — treatment costs range from $300 for localized spot treatment to $4,000+ for whole-structure fumigation.
What Happens During a Free Home Inspection
A residential termite inspection takes 45 to 90 minutes. Your CA-licensed inspector follows a four-step process covering every accessible area of the home.
Exterior and Foundation Perimeter
The inspector walks the full perimeter checking for subterranean mud tubes on the foundation, soil-to-wood contact points, irrigation lines aimed at the slab, and weathered exterior wood that creates entry points for drywood termites. In older Orange County tracts built in the 1950s through 1970s, original wood siding and untreated fascia are common access points.
Attic and Accessible Framing
The attic inspection targets rafters, joists, and sheathing — checking for frass pellets, kickout holes, and structural damage. Homes built in the 1950s through 1970s in Anaheim, Fullerton, and Long Beach frequently show drywood activity in original attic framing that has never been treated.
Subarea, Garage, and Interior
The inspector examines the crawlspace or subarea (if accessible), garage framing and slab edges, and interior living spaces — window frames, door frames, baseboards, and any visible wood surfaces. Moisture readings are taken where conditions suggest fungal decay.
Measurement and Written Quote
If activity is found, the inspector measures the home for accurate pricing — cubic footage for fumigation, linear feet of foundation for Termidor — and provides a written, itemized quote the same day. No phone quotes, no pressure.
Not sure if you need an inspection yet? Try our free AI photo check or view your area on the termite risk map.
Drywood or Subterranean Changes Everything
The single most important finding in any termite inspection is species identification. Fumigating a subterranean infestation kills nothing in the soil colony — the termites return through the same mud tubes within weeks. Applying Termidor to the soil around a drywood infestation treats the wrong zone entirely. Getting the species right is step one; everything else follows from it.
Drywood Termites
Live entirely inside the wood they consume — no soil contact needed. Signs include hexagonal frass pellets, kickout holes in trim and eaves, and discarded wings near windows during swarm season (April through June in Southern California).
Treatment options: tent fumigation, heat treatment, orange oil, spot injection, or Bora-Care — selected based on how widespread and accessible the infestation is.
Drywood termite guide →Subterranean Termites
Colony lives in the soil and forages into the structure via mud tubes along the foundation. Most destructive species in California — they attack from below and can compromise floor joists, sill plates, and subfloor sheathing before any surface signs appear.
Treatment: Termidor liquid soil barrier — a non-repellent fipronil treatment applied to the soil around the foundation perimeter. Lasts 10+ years in soil.
Termidor treatment guide →A home can have both drywood and subterranean termites simultaneously. When both are present, your inspector quotes a combined treatment plan addressing each species with the appropriate method.
Residential Treatment Options and 2026 Costs
We carry all six proven residential treatment methods so the treatment matches the infestation — not the other way around. Costs vary by home size, infestation extent, and treatment type.
| Treatment | Typical Cost | Time Away From Home |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Treatment | $300–$1,500 | None |
| Orange Oil (No-Tent) | $500–$1,500 | None |
| Termidor Soil Barrier | $800–$2,500 | None |
| Bora-Care | $900–$1,900 | None |
| Heat Treatment | $1,200–$3,500 | Same day (6–8 hrs) |
| Tent Fumigation | $1,500–$4,000 | 2–3 nights |
For detailed cost breakdowns and what determines pricing, see our 2026 termite treatment cost guide or try the fumigation cost calculator.
Costs Homeowners Forget to Budget For
Tent fumigation requires leaving the home for 2–3 nights. These additional costs can add $300–$700+ to the total — budget for them when comparing quotes. Heat treatment, orange oil, spot treatment, Bora-Care, and Termidor avoid all of them because nobody leaves overnight.
Hotel Stay
$150–$300
2–3 nights in the OC/LA area during fumigation. Required for all occupants.
Pet Boarding
$50–$100/night per pet
All animals must vacate — mammals, birds, reptiles. Fish tanks require special handling.
Food Preparation
$100–$300
Unsealed food must be bagged in Nylofume bags (provided) or removed. Budget for food replacement depending on pantry size.
Termite Damage Repairs
$300–$8,000+
Minor trim and fascia replacement runs $300–$800. Structural repairs to joists or sill plates run $2,000–$8,000. Repair estimates are provided alongside treatment quotes.
Need repair work? Our in-house licensed team handles it — see termite damage repair and dry rot repair.
What the Warranty Covers
Every residential treatment includes a one-year written warranty. If the same termite species returns to treated areas within that year, we re-treat at no charge — no loopholes, no arguing.
For ongoing protection, our Annual Protection Plan ($595–$895/year, priced by home size and infestation history) extends coverage indefinitely with annual inspections and re-treatment included. The plan is renewable each year and transfers to the new owner when you sell the home.
Full warranty details →Free in Orange County, $295 Beyond It
Residential inspections are free across Orange County and bordering cities — no charge, no obligation. For homes in our 30 extended-service cities across LA County, the Inland Empire, and Riverside County, a $295 inspection fee applies.
That $295 is credited in full toward any treatment you book within 30 days. Same inspector, same report quality, same one-year warranty — the only difference is the travel fee, and it disappears the moment you proceed with treatment.
View all 30 extended-service cities →Residential Service Areas by County
Termite Service by Property Type
Frequently Asked Residential Termite Questions
Is the residential termite inspection really free?
Yes. For properties in Orange County and bordering cities, the inspection is completely free — no credit card, no deposit, no obligation. For homes in our 30 extended-service cities across LA County, the Inland Empire, and Riverside County, a $295 inspection fee applies. That full amount is credited toward treatment if you book within 30 days. See our extended service area page for the full city list.
How long does the inspection take?
Most inspections take 45 to 90 minutes depending on home size and accessibility. A 1,500-square-foot home with an accessible attic typically takes about 45 minutes. Larger homes with crawlspaces, detached garages, or ADUs may take closer to 90 minutes.
How can I tell if I have drywood or subterranean termites?
Drywood termites leave small hexagonal pellets (frass) below infested wood and tiny kickout holes in eaves, trim, and window frames. They live entirely inside the wood and need no soil contact.
Subterranean termites build mud tubes along foundation walls and travel between soil and wood. Damaged wood near soil level, buckling floors, and visible mud tubes on the foundation perimeter are the clearest signs. Your inspector identifies the species on site — the distinction determines which treatments apply.
Do I have to leave the house during treatment?
Only for tent fumigation, which requires vacating for 2–3 nights. Heat treatment requires leaving for 6–8 hours on the day of treatment but you return the same day. Orange oil, spot treatment, Termidor soil barrier, and Bora-Care require no evacuation at all — you can stay home during and after application.
Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
No. California homeowner policies exclude termite damage as preventable maintenance. All treatment and repair costs are out of pocket. This is one reason early detection matters — a $500 spot treatment today can prevent thousands in structural repair later.
What if termites come back after treatment?
Every treatment includes a one-year written warranty. If the same species returns to treated areas within that year, we re-treat at no charge. For ongoing protection beyond the first year, our Annual Protection Plan ($595–$895/year) includes an annual inspection and re-treatment if covered activity is found. The plan is renewable indefinitely and transferable when you sell the home. Details on our termite warranty page.
Can you quote a treatment price over the phone?
No — and you should be cautious of any company that will. Fumigation is priced by cubic footage and Termidor by linear feet of foundation perimeter. Neither number exists until someone measures your home. We measure on site and put the number in writing the same day, with no obligation.
Do you handle termite damage repairs or just treatment?
Both. Our in-house licensed repair team (CA License #PR7791) handles structural and cosmetic wood replacement — rafters, joists, fascia, siding, window frames, and subfloor sheathing. Repair estimates are provided alongside treatment quotes so you see the full picture before making any decision.
About the author
Written by Ryan Berry. Licensed California termite control operator (CA SPCB #PR7791), Anaheim, CA. Founded Ultimate Termite Control in 2007. 250,000+ inspections and 12,600+ residential customers across Southern California.
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026