The Most Googled Termite Questions, Answered By a Real Inspector
- Jameson Elam
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
Introduction
Termites are one of those topics that people search quietly at night, usually after spotting something strange near a window, on the floor, or in the garden. And when they turn to the internet, the advice can range from calm to pure chaos.
So instead of guessing, we pulled the most common real searches from Bay Area homeowners and had one of our licensed inspectors with 14+ years of experience answer them directly. Clear. Practical. No scare tactics.
If you’ve ever wondered about termites but weren’t sure who to ask, start here.
1. Do I have termites or ants?
This is probably the most searched question we see, and it makes sense. During swarm season, flying termites and flying ants look surprisingly similar.
Here’s the quick way to tell:
Feature | Termites | Carpenter Ants |
Waist | Straight body, no pinch | Narrow waist, noticeable pinch |
Wings | Two sets, both equal length | Front wings longer than back wings |
Antennae | Straight | Bent or elbowed |
Mess Left Behind | Tiny pellets or wings | Sawdust-like wood shavings |
If you’re unsure, you can send us a photo. Most people think they’ll bother us. You’re not. We look at insect photos every day. It’s part of the job.
2. Can termites go away on their own?
No. They do not pack up and leave. Once inside wood, termites stay, grow, and expand. They work slowly and continuously, day and night. You will not see them wandering on the surface. They prefer staying hidden inside framing, flooring, baseboards, decks, and attic lumber.
If you wait to address the issue until you see visible damage, the repair cost will always be higher than the treatment cost would have been up front.
Catching things early is the entire game.
3. Why does my neighbor have termites but I don’t?
They might have termites, and you might too. One just got discovered first.
Termites are not pests that stay contained by fences. Subterranean termites move through soil. Drywood termites fly into homes during warm, still weather. Once in the general area, any nearby home may become a target, especially if:
There is moisture near the foundation
Landscaping touches siding
Crawlspace ventilation is limited
There is untreated wood near soil contact
The reason we offer free inspections is because guessing based on what happened next door is unreliable. Each home has its own conditions.
4. Do I really have to tent if termites are found?
Not always. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings.
Fumigation is for Drywood termites when the infestation is widespread throughout the structure.
Many termite issues can be addressed without tenting. Localized treatments target the affected area without requiring you to leave the house.
We only recommend tenting when:
There are multiple established Drywood colonies throughout the home
The attic or framing has widespread involvement
Access points are hidden or unreachable by localized treatment
If a termite issue is caught early, localized treatment is often the more practical, less disruptive, and more cost-friendly route.
We will tell you which option makes sense based on what we actually find, not guesswork.
5. What’s the worst thing to ignore if I see it?
Mud tubes in the crawlspace or along the foundation.
Mud tubes are how Subterranean termites travel between soil and the wood they are eating. These tubes look like thin, dried clay lines climbing foundation walls or joists. If you see them, there is almost always an active colony nearby.
Breaking the tubes does not solve the problem. They simply rebuild.
This is one of the most preventable large repair scenarios we see. The difference between catching this early and late is often the difference between spot treatment and structural repair.
6. Is termite damage covered by homeowners insurance?
Most of the time, no.
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover termite damage because it is
considered preventable with routine inspection and maintenance. That is why consistent checks matter. Waiting until there is visible damage approaches the issue when the cost is highest.
Our inspections are free. You do not have to wait until you are sure something is wrong to get one.
Final Thoughts: Clear Answers Help You Make Clear Decisions
Termites are not dramatic pests. They don’t run across floors or fly around rooms.
They work quietly, out of sight. That’s why knowledge matters more than panic.
The more you understand how termites behave, the easier it is to stay ahead of them.
If you have a question that was not answered here, ask us directly. We’ll answer it the same way we answered these: clearly, calmly, and backed by experience.
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