Every year, termites cause billions of dollars of damage to homes across the United States. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t think termites will affect them—until they discover costly damage hidden inside walls, floors, or framing.
As shocking as it may be to some, most homeowners insurance policies do NOT cover termite damage. Insurance providers typically classify termite infestations as a preventable maintenance issue rather than a sudden or accidental event, meaning the responsibility falls on the property owner to prevent and address problems before they cause significant damage. Termite destruction happens gradually, and is therefore not considered an insurable peril like fire or storm damage.
While your insurance may not cover termite damage, that doesn’t mean that you have to face the risk of termites unprepared. Even in regions where the risk of infestation is high, homeowners have the power to protect their homes by knowing the dangers and signs, and taking protective measures.
Why Termites Are So Destructive (and Common in California)
Termites aren’t your typical wild animal. They’re small and quiet—and they eat wood. The damage they cause to real estate can be extremely costly to repair and replace. Even the smallest of colonies can quickly expand, weakening floors, walls, and support beams before you even realize that your home is under attack.
Termites do not go away on their own. The termites you see—often winged swarmers—represent only about 1% of the colony.
Termites thrive in the warm, moist climate of California, the most biodiverse state in the country, where pests are active all throughout the year. Drywood and subterranean termites are especially prevalent in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Subterranean termites, which live underground, can chew through the wood that keeps your home standing, building extensive tunnels to reach support beams and framing. Drywood termites target anything wooden from walls and floors to furniture and decks.
How To Catch Termites Early
There are three essential ways you can protect your property from termites:
- Know the warning signs
- Schedule annual termite inspections
- Maintain an ongoing termite control plan
Warning Signs of Termites You Should NEVER Ignore
Flying or swarming termites are often mistaken for flying ants. Flying ants have front wings that are longer than their hind wings, and antennae bent at a 90-degree angle. Termites have wings that are roughly equal in length, with antennae that may droop but are mostly straight.
Call a licensed exterminator immediately if you notice anything unusual, such as:
- Clicking sounds from within walls
- Mud tubes along foundations or walls
- Wood dust or droppings (frass)
- Pinholes or bubbling paint on drywall
- Sagging, warping, or cracks in walls, floors, doors, doorframes, or cabinetry
- Soft or hollow-sounding wood
- Discarded wings, typically along windowsills, door frames, or baseboards, which are a sign reproductive termites
Stay Proactive with Annual Pest Inspections
Even if you don’t see visible signs, termites may still be hiding in your home and causing serious damage. You need an expert eye to inspect.
Whether you’re a homeowner, in the process of buying or selling, or simply want peace of mind, our licensed inspectors deliver detailed termite reports, science-backed treatment recommendations, and customized solutions.
With decades of experience and deep knowledge of pest behavior across all seasons, Natural Science Exterminating’s annual termite inspections go beyond surface-level checks. Our licensed termite exterminators know exactly where to look—from attics and crawl spaces to subareas and garages. We uncover signs of both drywood and subterranean termites, as well as other wood-destroying organisms like fungus or dry rot. We’ll also identify potential entry points to ensure comprehensive protection of your home.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a clear, detailed report outlining our findings and the best treatment options for your situation. Our mission is not just to eliminate termites but also to prevent them with long-term, reliable solutions.
We also provide fast, detailed escrow and real estate termite reports to meet tight timelines.
Protect Your Property with an Annual Termite Control Plan
Because homeowners insurance doesn’t cover termite damage, preventative protection is the smartest investment.
At Natural Science Exterminating, all of our termite treatments come with a one-year guarantee. After that, you have the option to continue coverage with our Annual Termite Control Plan for ongoing protection without the worry of unexpected costs.
Ongoing protection is essential in Southern California, because even after a termite colony is removed, new colonies can always re-enter. Our Annual Termite Protection Plan keeps homes and businesses in Orange County and Los Angeles County protected year-round. It includes a yearly inspection by one of our licensed termite inspectors, along with spot treatments if new termites are found.
As long as you keep the renewal active, your property remains protected year after year. Most homeowners choose ongoing coverage for cost control, peace of mind, and prevention.
Coverage is tied to the type of initial treatment. If you received a drywood termite treatment, your plan will cover drywood termites indefinitely with annual renewal. If you received a subterranean termite treatment, your plan will cover subterranean termites indefinitely with annual renewal.
What to Do If You Think You Have Termites
If you suspect termites, do not wait.
Call a professional exterminator immediately. The sooner you call, the sooner we can stop the termites from multiplying, spreading, and causing costly damage.
Termite infestations that are detected early are often localized to a specific area of the home, and can be spot treated with minimal downtime. Deep, widespread termite infestations may require tent fumigation, which kills termites even in the hardest-to-reach places.
Natural Science Exterminating offers both no-tent spot treatments and tent fumigation for all kinds of residential and commercial properties. We serve Orange County and Los Angeles County, including Anaheim, Irvine, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and surrounding areas.
Call Now For Fast, Reliable Service: 1-714-451-2890
E-mail: info@naturalscienceexterminating.com
