Termite Inspection in Los Angeles: Pick a Branch 3 Company

PesPro does not treat termites. For drywood or subterranean termites in Los Angeles, you need a company licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board in Branch 3, wood-destroying organisms. Tenting a building is fumigation, which is Branch 1 work. This guide covers how to choose a termite company, what its inspection report must include, and which pests PesPro does treat.

How do you tell termites from flying ants and carpenter ants?

Look at the insect first, then at the debris it leaves. UC IPM separates winged termites from winged ants by the antennae, the waist and the wings:

Waist. An ant has a thin, pinched waist. A termite has a broad waist.
Antennae. Ant antennae are elbowed. Termite antennae are straight.
Wings. An ant's hind wings are smaller than its front wings. A termite's four wings are about the same size.

Our guide to flying ants and termite swarmers shows when each one swarms in the LA basin.

What signs point to drywood or subterranean termites?

California's two most important termites leave different evidence, and neither looks like ant damage.

Drywood termites. UC IPM reports that they live deep inside wood and push fecal pellets out through kickout holes smaller than 2 mm. The pellets have six hexagonal sides and are diagnostic for drywood termites. Pellets alone do not prove the colony is still active.
Subterranean termites. Shelter tubes, also called mud tubes, are the most common evidence, per UC IPM. Damaged wood is thin at the surface and easy to puncture with a screwdriver.
Carpenter ants. UC IPM notes that they excavate wood to nest but do not eat it. Their sawdust is fibrous, unlike drywood termite pellets. Carpenter ants are an ant control job, and PesPro treats them.

What is a Branch 3 license?

The Structural Pest Control Board licenses three branches of structural pest control, and a company may only work in the branches its registration covers.

Branch 1, fumigation. Control of household and wood-destroying pests by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. Tenting a house for drywood termites is Branch 1 work.
Branch 2, general pest. Control of household pests such as ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders and rodents, excluding fumigation.
Branch 3, wood-destroying organisms. Control of wood-destroying pests or organisms with insecticides or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation.

Business and Professions Code section 8516 sets the gate. No company may start termite work or give an opinion on whether termites are present until a licensed Branch 3 Field Representative or Operator has inspected. Our California pest control licensing guide explains the license types in more detail.

How do you verify a termite company's license?

Use the Board's license verification page, which opens the Department of Consumer Affairs license search. Choose the Structural Pest Control Board and search by company name or license number. Then check four things:

Company registration. It starts with PR and must show a current status.
Branch 3 on the registration. If the plan is to tent the building, the company doing the fumigation must hold Branch 1.
The inspector. Ask for the Field Representative or Operator license of the person who will inspect, and confirm it covers Branch 3.
Complaints. UC IPM advises checking the company's license status and consumer complaints with the Board before you hire.

PesPro holds registration PR-6378, which you can look up in the same search. A general pest technician who offers a termite diagnosis without a Branch 3 license is a warning sign.

What must a termite inspection report include?

Section 8516 requires a written report on a Board-approved form, delivered within 10 business days from the start of the inspection and before any work begins. It goes to the person who ordered it and to the property owner. The report must set out:

The inspection start date and the name of the licensed inspector.
A general description of the building and a diagram showing any infested or infected areas.
Conditions likely to lead to infestation, such as earth-wood contact, excessive cellulose debris, faulty grade levels, excessive moisture, roof leaks and poor ventilation.
Any areas that were inaccessible or not inspected, with a recommendation for further inspection when practicable.
Recommendations for corrective measures and the pesticides proposed for them.
A bold-type statement on whether the exterior surface of the roof was inspected.

You can ask for a separated report when you order it. Each recommendation is then split into the infestation that is evident and the conditions likely to lead to one. These are often labeled Section 1 and Section 2.

How many termite inspections should you get?

UC IPM's advice for drywood termites is to obtain at least three structural inspection reports before you decide. Every report also carries a state notice. Different companies should list the same findings, but their recommendations to correct them may vary, and you have a right to a second opinion.

Compare the options, not only the totals. UC IPM describes whole-structure fumigation and whole-structure heat as ways to treat a building at once, and localized treatments for a limited area. It warns that home-use products are not effective. For subterranean termites, UC IPM recommends professional inspections every three to five years.

Which pests does PesPro treat?

PesPro is a general pest control company serving Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Our services cover:

Bed bug treatment, cockroach control and rodent control, with rodent exclusion as a separate service.
Ants, spiders, silverfish and earwigs under a bi-monthly or quarterly general pest control plan.
Wasps and bees and fleas and ticks.
Programs for property managers and HOAs and restaurants.

The written quote is free. Every service carries a 30-day guarantee: for cockroaches, bed bugs and rodents, a third visit within 30 days is included at no extra cost if the problem reappears. For all other pests, a return visit within 30 days costs 30% of the original price. Request a quote or call (323) 472-5329.

Frequently asked questions

Does PesPro inspect for termites?

No. PesPro does not inspect for or treat termites. A termite inspection must be made by a licensed Branch 3 Field Representative or Operator employed by a registered company. If you found winged insects and are not sure what they are, check the waist, antennae and wings first. If they are ants, PesPro can treat the colony.

Do I have to leave my home for termite treatment?

Only for whole-structure fumigation. UC IPM notes that occupants, pets and plants must leave the building for several days when it is fumigated. Localized treatments target a limited area instead. The company doing the work should explain the preparation and timing in writing before it starts.

Can I see whether a house was inspected for termites before?

Yes. The Board's termite inspection search shows whether a property was inspected within the last two years. You can then send a written request to the Board for copies of the inspection reports. Companies must also keep their own inspection reports for three years.

Is a termite company's guarantee required to be in writing?

Yes, when one is offered. Section 8516 requires the report and any contract to state whether the work is guaranteed. If it is, they must give the specific terms and the period the guarantee is in effect. Ask for those terms before you sign, and compare them across the reports you collect.