Termites actively eating through structural wood — drywood termite damage inside a wall

Wood-Destroying Organisms

High Risk

Termites: California's Most Costly Structural Pest

Name: 101 Exterminators Inc.
Address: Salinas, CA, 93901, US
Telephone: (831) 500-1613
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

Scientific name: Isoptera (order)

Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually across the United States — more than fires, floods, and wind damage combined for homeowners without insurance coverage. California hosts multiple termite species, and Central California's combination of Mediterranean climate, aging housing stock, and proximity to soil moisture creates ideal conditions for both the most common types found here: drywood termites and subterranean termites.

Termite Control (831) 500-1613

★★★★★5.0·400+ Google reviews

Visual Guide

How to Identify Termites

Size

Workers: 3–4mm. Swarmers (reproductives): 8–13mm including wings

Color

Drywood workers: creamy white to tan. Subterranean workers: pale/translucent. Swarmers: dark brown to black with pale wings

Body Shape

Soft-bodied, straight antennae, straight-sided abdomen (no pinched waist — distinguishes from ants)

Distinctive Features

Equal-length wings on swarmers (4 wings, all the same size). Drywood frass: tiny, 6-sided pellets. Mud tubes: subterranean foraging trails on foundation walls

Biology

Behavior & Lifecycle

Drywood termites live entirely within the wood they consume — they do not require soil contact or a water source. Their colonies are relatively small (a few thousand individuals) but can occupy multiple disconnected galleries within the same structure. Subterranean termites live in soil-based colonies that can number in the millions; they build mud tubes to travel to above-ground wood. Both species feed on cellulose in wood and are active year-round inside structures.

Commonly Found In:

Older homesWood-frame constructionCoastal propertiesAgricultural buildings

Local Knowledge

Termites in Central California

Western drywood termites (Incisitermes minor) are the dominant species in Monterey County's older coastal homes and in agricultural building stock throughout the Salinas Valley. Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes species) are most active in the Santa Cruz mountains, coastal flats, and anywhere with seasonal soil moisture — including the clay soils of San Benito County. Santa Clara County sees active subterranean swarm years during warm, wet winters. Both species are present across all four service counties.

Why This Matters Here

Termites consume structural framing, floor joists, roof decking, wall framing, and furniture silently. Because they excavate wood from the inside, damage can be severe before any surface evidence appears. A mature subterranean colony consuming a single floor joist can hollow it to the point of structural failure within 2–3 years. Drywood colonies, while smaller, can be present in 10–20 separate locations within a single structure simultaneously.

Our Termite Control service

Prevention

How to Reduce Your Risk

The most cost-effective pest control is prevention. These steps reduce the likelihood of termites problems — particularly important for properties in our service area where the conditions favor this species.

01
Keep wood-to-soil contact away from the foundation — mulch, form boards, and untreated lumber in contact with soil are primary entry points
02
Repair leaking gutters, plumbing, and roof flashing — moisture attracts subterranean termites
03
Screen and seal vents in foundations and eaves to prevent swarmer entry
04
Store firewood, lumber, and wood scraps away from the structure
05
Schedule a WDO inspection every 2 years — catching termites early reduces treatment complexity and cost significantly
06
Borate-treat accessible wood during renovations for long-term preventive protection

When to Call a Professional

Call immediately if you see: frass (small pellets) near wood, mud tubes on foundation walls, discarded swarmer wings near doors or windows, hollow-sounding wood, or buckling/bubbling paint on wood surfaces. If you are within 12 months of a real estate transaction, schedule a WDO inspection proactively — discovering and treating conditions before listing avoids escrow delays and negotiation complications.

Call (831) 500-1613 Request a Free Inspection

Service available in:

Monterey CountySan Benito CountySanta Cruz CountySanta Clara County

Active Service Areas

Where We Treat Termites

Pacific Grove Monterey Carmel Santa Cruz Boulder Creek Felton Hollister Gilroy Los Gatos View all areas

Common Questions

Termites FAQs

How do I tell the difference between termites and ants?

Flying termites (swarmers) look similar to flying ants but have key differences: termite swarmers have two pairs of wings of equal length; ant swarmers have a longer front pair. Termites have straight antennae; ants have elbowed antennae. Termites have a broad waist (body width stays consistent); ants have a pinched "waist" between thorax and abdomen. If you're uncertain, collect a specimen and we'll identify it during inspection.

When do termites swarm in Central California?

Drywood termite swarm season in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties typically runs from late summer through early fall (August–October), especially on warm evenings following a period of heat. Subterranean termites swarm in late winter and spring (February–May), usually during or after a warm rain event. Seeing swarmers does not necessarily mean the colony is inside your structure — swarmers travel to find new nesting sites.

Can termites come back after treatment?

Post-treatment recurrence is rare for fumigation (gas penetrates every void) but more possible for localized treatments if adjacent infestations were not identified. Annual WDO inspections are recommended to catch any new colonies before they become established. Our service warranty covers confirmed recurrence of treated colonies.

Professional Treatment

Ready to Address Your Termites Problem?

Our licensed technicians serve Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. Free inspection, written estimate, no obligation.

Our Termite Control Schedule a Free Inspection

Or call us directly: (831) 500-1613