
As a coastal community, San Francisco deals with its share of pests, including termites. The Bay area is home to three types of termites. So whether you live in one of the city’s beautiful historical homes or a newly built house, it’s likely that at some point you will need to know how to get rid of termites in San Francisco.
How to Get Rid of Termites in San Francisco
San Francisco is an area known for embracing the non-traditional whether in life or property. And in the same regard, residents are increasingly looking for cleaner options for dealing with things like termite control.
While there have been some successes with newer, chemical-free options, they are not without their limitations. Below we will explore the options available and discuss both their pros as well as their cons.
Bait Termiticide

Bait stations are a slow but effective way to kill entire subterranean colonies. Technicians place hollow plastic cylinders in the ground around the perimeter of your home containing the poisoned cellulose. Termites then find the bait stations where they consume the slow-acting poison. Then they return to their nest and spread the poison, eventually killing the entire colony.
As termites find the stations, not only do more of them carry the poison back to the nest to spread, but more and more of them will be drawn to the bait station. Termites leave behind a colony-specific scent leading their fellow termites straight into the poisonous trap.
Remember that this treatment is not a quick, overnight fix. Bait treatments are a slow-acting method that could take months before the treatment begins to be effective. During this time, the stations need to be monitored and replenished, which can drive up the cost of the termite treatment.
Pros
- Easily installed
- Better for the environment than liquids
- Less invasive than liquids
Cons
- Takes time to work
- Extra monitoring required
- Expensive
Liquid Termiticide

This method is the most popular termite treatment option and is available as both a repellent and non-repellant chemical.
Exterminators create holes around the perimeter of your home where they insert the liquid termiticide. While this is the most widely used method, it is also quite invasive and may require drilling through a patio, porch, or adjacent slab of concrete.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Readily available
Cons
- May need to drill
- The most invasive treatment
Pro Tip: Termiticides are also available as dusts or foams.
Heat Treatment
When looking for a chemical-free option to treat termites, heat is often suggested. For this treatment, exterminators bring in heaters to heat the infected wood to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 33 minutes, ultimately killing the termites.
Typically used for spot treatments in places like attics, heat is also the go-to treatment for apartments and condos since nearby units are often unaffected.
While this eco-friendly treatment might seem like a great idea, it’s not without its faults and limitations. Wood in contact with tile or concrete can be difficult to heat to a lethal level. This in turn may make heat an unreliable option.
Pros
- Spot treatment available
- Free from chemicals
- Less-time consuming than fumigation
Cons
- Not always 100% effective
- Objects may have heat damage
- Can be difficult to heat the wood
Fumigation (Tenting)

It may sound scary, but fumigation, also known as “tenting,” is the most effective termite treatment available. However, termite tenting is also the most extreme option, which is why it is saved for severe infestations.
One reason why this is the most extreme treatment is due to homeowners and their pets needing to spend a few days away from home. During that time, pest control technicians will place an airtight tent over your home and pump a gas fumigant inside. The fumigant is left for at least 24 hours to give it time to seek and kill every termite hiding in the depths of your home.
Pros
- Incredibly effective
- Does not discriminate: kills all pests
Cons
- Slow process
- Residents have to leave for at least 24 hours
- Most expensive treatment option
Bonus: Not only will fumigation kill all the termites in your home, but it will also kill all pests. However, for subterranean termites, you will need a second treatment method to destroy the nests in the soil.
Non-Chemical Treatments
Californians are often seeking non-traditional treatment methods that are better for both their families and the environment. While there are a few options, they aren’t without their limitations. These treatments are only effective with drywood termites.
Electrocute: High-voltage and high-frequency electrical currents are used to electrocute termites with a machine called an Electro-Gun.
Freeze: Injecting liquid nitrogen into the areas of your home infested with termites will freeze the wood-eaters.
Microwave: Using microwave technology, technicians “cook” termites to death.
Pros
- Free from toxic chemicals
- Not necessary to leave your home
- Spot treatments
Cons
- Not used for serious infestations
- Not effective for all types of termites
- Not always available
Signs of Termites in San Francisco
Due to the often unseen activities of termites, it can be incredibly difficult to know you have termites attacking your home. But if you know the signs to look for, then you are armed and ready to defend your home (or call a pro) if you begin to see signs of termite activity.
Piles of Termite Wings

You may notice this when reproductive termites, also known as swarmer termites leave their nests to mate and create new colonies. They find their mate mid-flight then land together and discard their wings. Windowsills and doors are common places where termite wings are found.
Pro tip: All termites leave piles of wings, no matter the type.
Cracked, Peeling, or Bubbling Paint
You may associate this sign with having a leak somewhere. While that is certainly true, it can also be a sign of termites, particularly with an ongoing leak. Termites are drawn to moisture, making moist wood a termite’s prime steak.
If you notice moisture, inspect the area for leaks and fix them ASAP. You also want to check if the wood is soft. Once you rule out an active leak as the issue, call a professional termite specialist to inspect the area.
Termite Droppings

As much as no one wants to think about droppings in their home, these small piles may be a sign you have termites chomping away inside your home. These pellet droppings are about 1 millimeter long or 0.0394 of an inch.
Small mounds of droppings often resemble piles of salt or pepper, but the actual color will depend on the color of the wood they are consuming. Typically, the pellets are colored brown, black, or gray.
Pro tip: Droppings may be the only sign you see if you have drywood termites.
Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites create tunnels between the colony’s nest and their food source (your home). Mud tubes consist of small pieces of wood, soil, or other materials and are generally about the same width as a pen.
These tunnels not only serve as a busy highway between home and work, but they also provide termites protection from predators and maintain their optimal warm, moist environment.
Damaged Wood
Figuring out if you have termites can sometimes be a bit of a challenge due to the nature of their hidden home inside your home.
Check for termite damage with a tap test. Tap on the wood you suspect may have termite damage. If it sounds hollow, immediately call a professional termite specialist to confirm an infestation and the type of termite and extent of the damage.
Visible signs of damaged wood
- Pinpoint holes
- Crumbling wood
- Drooping drywall
- Blistering wood
- Discolored drywall
Drywood termites are also known for leaving behind pinpoint holes. Holes are created as exits when termites are ready to move on to a new food source or area. This sign is most notable with drywood termites because they kick their droppings out of these holes. Other types of termites fill their exit holes.
Damaged Flooring

Don’t skip this section just because you don’t have wood flooring. Even if you have carpeting, tile, or laminate, you can have flooring damage caused by termites.
They love the soft wood often used in subflooring and will absolutely make your subflooring their breakfast buffet. Even if you do have hardwood floors, termites are likely to devour your subfloor first, before moving on to your hardwood flooring.
Signs of Termite Damage in Flooring
- Weak floor joists: An essential part of the flooring structure, weakened floor joists can collapse under the weight of appliances and furniture.
- Laminate flooring damage: Often mistaken for water damage, termites attacking laminate flooring can cause floors to blister or sag. They may even chew small holes into the laminate.
- Squeaky floors: As termites slowly eat the inside of your flooring, boards may creak or squeak as they rub against each other or hardware like nails or screws.
- Loose floor tiles: Moisture brought on by termites or weakened floor joists can cause floor tiles to become loose.
Types of Termites in San Francisco
All three types of termites have been known to pop up in and around the San Francisco Bay area: drywood, subterranean, and dampwood.
Drywood
As their name suggests, these little wood destroyers create their homes inside dry wood. Often found in the San Francisco area, drywood termites are known for inhabiting structural lumber, dead tree limbs, utility poles, decks, fences, and furniture. While they are most prevalent in the southern portion of the state, drywood termites are also found in most of California’s coastal regions.
Drywood physical characteristics:
- 1/4 to 1 inch long
- Cream-white to light brown colored
Subterranean

The most common and destructive type of termite is unfortunately alive and very well in the Bay Area. Subterranean termites live in the soil and are therefore incredibly hard to detect. The native, West Indian, and Formosan termites are the subterranean species most commonly found in the San Francisco area.
Subterranean physical characteristics:
- 1/8 to 1 inch long
- White to reddish, black, or brown
Dampwood
Locally there is a rather small presence of dampwood termites in the San Francisco area, but they are common throughout California. Found in cool, humid areas, dampwood termites infest dead or decaying wood that remains moist. These termites build large nests within the wood they inhabit.
Dampwood physical characteristics:
- 1/2 to 5/8 inch long
- Large head
- Light to dark brown with streaks of yellow or red in their body
- Bigger than drywood and subterranean termites
Termite Caste System

Within a termite community, there are three types of termites which all have their part to play in the running of the colony.
- Worker: These are the gatherers and caregivers of the group. They care for the young, create new tunnels, gather food and water, and clean and maintain the nest.
- Soldier: This role acts as the army of the society to defend and protect the colony from predators.
- Reproductive/swarmers: The matriarch and patriarch are responsible for creating the colony.
How to Prevent Termites
Knowing what attracts termites and eliminating those things is the key to preventing them from invading your home and becoming unwelcome guests that slowly eat you out of house and home.
- Hire a professional termite company for a yearly termite inspection.
- Keep up with regular outdoor maintenance, which should include inspecting wood in your outdoor living areas.
- Keep firewood covered and several inches off the ground. Also, don’t keep piles of wood near your home.
- Add splash blocks or downspout extensions to steer water away from your home. Also, clean your gutters regularly to minimize moisture buildup.
- Quickly take care of any water leaks or drainage issues.
- Treat all wood that will have contact with the ground before it touches the soil.
- Manage moisture levels by installing a dehumidifier or screened vent in attics and crawl spaces.
- Termites love rotting wood, so promptly remove any dying or dead wood from your property.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?
When figuring out how much you should expect to pay, you’ll want to take into consideration things like the size of your home and infestation, termite type, and treatment type. Each of these will play a role in your termite treatment cost.
Nationwide, most homeowners spend between $275 and $863 for termite treatment, with the average homeowner spending about $558.
Treatment type
- Bait treatment: $7 to $11 per linear foot
- Fumigation: $1 to $4 per square foot or $10 to $20 per linear foot
- Chemical treatment (termiticides): $4 to $14.50 per linear foot
- Heat treatment: $1 to $2.50 per square foot or $10 per linear foot
FAQ About Termites in San Francisco
When is Swarming Season in San Francisco?
Late February through March is when you are likely to see the most activity, but you can also see termite swarming activity into the fall as well.
Can You Have More Than One Type of Termite?
Yes, you can have several types of termites inhabiting your home at one time. Be sure to call a termite professional to inspect your home and determine the type of infestation you have.
Is it Safe and Effective to DIY Termite Treatments?
If you think you have an infestation, definitely not. But if you are just looking to keep termites out and away from your home then, while it’s not advisable, it may be okay to DIY your termite control if you’ve educated yourself well.
In most cases, it’s best to leave termite control and prevention to the professionals, especially if the termites have already entered your home.
When in doubt, ALWAYS call a professional termite exterminator.
Ready to Extinguish Your Termites?
When you’re ready to send your termites to drown in the Bay, contact a professional termite exterminator.
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Background: RudyBalasko / Canva Pro / License
Termite: ApisitWilaijit / Canva Pro / License