Why “No Visible Termites” Doesn’t Mean You’re Safe
- Jameson Elam
- Sep 23, 2025
- 2 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.
Most people think termite infestations come with obvious red flags: wings on windowsills, mud tubes, frass piles. But in reality, some of the worst damage we’ve seen in Bay Area homes had no visible signs at all.
At Good Sense Termite, we’ve inspected thousands of properties—many that looked “clean” on the surface. Here's what we’ve learned about invisible termite activity, and how we catch what others miss.
Why “No Signs” Doesn’t Mean “No Termites”
Termites are experts at hiding. They thrive in dark, damp, and enclosed spaces like:
Crawlspaces you don’t enter
Attics behind insulation
Inside walls and under subfloors
Around leaky plumbing or irrigation lines
Most of these areas are never seen by homeowners—and often skipped by general inspections.
Real Bay Area Case: San Mateo Home (ZIP 94403)
Visible signs? None.
Homeowner complaint: Occasional creaking under floors.
Our findings: Subterranean termite tubes under the subfloor, hidden behind vapor barrier.
Damage: $19,000 in framing repairs after colonies were traced into interior walls.
This home passed a general home inspection 2 years earlier. No termite flags were raised—until the sagging floors gave way.
How Termites Stay Hidden
Drywood termites live inside the wood they consume. No tubes. No external tunnels.
Subterranean termites build mud tubes in hidden crawl areas and behind drywall.
Moisture makes detection harder—especially in homes with poor ventilation or heavy irrigation.
Newly treated or flipped homes may cover signs with fresh paint, flooring, or patchwork.
Why General Pest Inspections Miss This
Most general pest inspections:
Don’t include attic/crawl access
Avoid tight-clearance or sealed areas
Skip moisture checks
Rely on visible damage only
That’s why Good Sense inspections include crawlspace access, borescope inspections, and moisture mapping—because surface-level signs are often weeks or months behind the damage.
Good Sense Termite’s Approach
Free inspections by licensed termite specialists
Crawl and attic access (even in low-clearance or sealed spaces)
Custom reports with photos and treatment plans
Warranties tailored for high-risk, hard-to-see zones
FAQ
Can termites really cause damage without any visible signs?
Yes. Especially drywood termites, which live entirely inside wood framing. Some colonies go unnoticed for years.
My home looks clean—do I still need an inspection?
Yes. Clean surfaces mean very little if the crawlspace, attic, or wall voids haven’t been inspected recently. Termites are not pests that are attracted to mess, they are attracted to wood in any shape!
Do you check crawlspaces and attics during free inspections?
Absolutely. That’s where we start—because that’s where most companies stop.
Final Thoughts: What You Can’t See Can Hurt Your Home
If you’re only checking for surface-level signs, you’re already behind. At Good Sense Termite, we believe peace of mind starts with a proper look beneath the surface.
Book your free inspection today—before invisible damage becomes your next repair bill.
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