Choosing the Right Termite Treatment for Your Bay Area Home

You’ve found some suspicious frass, a warped baseboard, or maybe even live swarmers. Now what?

Introduction: Not All Termite Treatments Are Created Equal

You’ve found some suspicious frass, a warped baseboard, or maybe even live swarmers. Now what? Before you Google your way into a hardware store solution, here’s the truth: effective termite treatment depends on the structure of your home, the species of termite, and how they’ve accessed the property. In the Bay Area, that could mean anything from subterranean mud tubes along a foundation to Drywood colonies tucked inside your attic rafters.

Let’s walk through the treatment methods Good Sense Termite actually uses—and why choosing the right one matters.

1. Liquid Soil Treatments (Perimeter or Localized)

Creates an invisible protective barrier around your home.

What It Is: We apply a professional-grade liquid termiticide to the soil around your home’s foundation or other known entry points. This product binds to soil and creates a kill zone that stops Subterranean termites from entering.

Best For:

• Active Subterranean termite infestations

• Homes with crawlspaces or exposed stem walls

• Locations with direct soil-to-structure contact

Pros:

• Kills termites quickly on contact

• Long-lasting (up to 10 years depending on site conditions)

• Low odor, safe when professionally applied

Cons:

• Requires trenching or drilling along concrete perimeters

• Less effective if regrading or landscaping disrupts treated soil

Bay Area Example: In Campbell, we treated a home with slab-on-grade foundation and clear mud tube activity near the water heater. After trenching a 10-foot perimeter zone and applying the liquid termiticide, the colony was eliminated within weeks.

2. Foam and Localized Injection Treatments

Targeted treatments for Drywood termite infestations.

What It Is: We inject expanding foam or termiticide directly into Drywood galleries or wall voids where termite activity is present. This allows deep penetration without needing to tent or vacate the home.

Best For:

• Localized Drywood infestations

• Spot treatments in attics, eaves, or trim

• Homes where tenting isn’t an option

Pros:

• No need to leave the home

• Very targeted—treats the exact infestation zone

• Compatible with sensitive areas like kitchens or bathrooms

Cons:

• Doesn’t protect untreated areas from future infestations

• Not ideal for homes with widespread, multi-room activity

Bay Area Example:A client in Redwood City noticed frass near a window sill. We confirmed Drywood termites using frass ID and injected foam into the framing and header. One visit, no tenting, and no more frass.

3. Corrective Construction and Structural Modifications

Fix the conditions that allowed termites in the first place.

In some cases, eliminating conducive conditions might require light corrective work—like replacing damaged wood, sealing utility penetrations, or adjusting grade lines.

At Good Sense Termite, we don’t automatically include construction services in every treatment plan, but we can coordinate or refer that work when it’s necessary to support long-term termite prevention.

Our goal is always to make sure the source of the issue is addressed, whether it’s moisture, access points, or structural vulnerability. During your inspection, we’ll let you know if any light construction fixes are recommended—and whether they’re urgent, optional, or cosmetic.

How We Decide What’s Right

At Good Sense Termite, we take a step-by-step approach:

• Inspect thoroughly: Crawlspace, attic, utility penetrations—no shortcuts

• Identify species: Subterranean, Drywood, or both?

• Assess structure: Raised foundation? Stucco? Slab-on-grade?

• Customize plan: Treatments that work with your layout, access, and budget

And we always include clear reports, treatment maps, and warranty options tailored to your property.

FAQ: Homeowner Questions About Treatment Methods

Q: Will liquid treatment harm my pets or plants?

When applied professionally and allowed to dry, it’s safe for pets and landscaping. We always explain post-treatment guidelines.

Q: Can you treat without drilling into concrete?

Sometimes. It depends on access. We’ll review all options during the inspection and explain any trenching or drilling beforehand.

Q: I already had my home treated years ago—do I still need more?

Maybe not. We can check whether your prior treatment is still active, and inspect for any new signs of termite activity.

Final Thoughts: Smart Treatment Starts with Smart Inspection

Choosing the right termite treatment isn’t just about what kills bugs—it’s about protecting your structure the right way, based on your home’s actual risk points.

That’s why Good Sense Termite doesn’t offer cookie-cutter solutions. We inspect, identify, and recommend what works based on over 14 years of licensed, Bay Area-specific expertise.

Book your free inspection today and find out which treatment actually makes Good Sense.