Termites in Fresno behave a little differently than they do on the coast or in the foothills. Our summers run hot and dry, our winters are mild, and irrigation keeps soil around foundations damp even when the San Joaquin Valley looks baked. That combination allows both drywood and subterranean termites to thrive. The right remedy depends on which termite you have, where they are in the structure, and how your household can handle the logistics. The choice often comes down to whole-structure fumigation, known in conversation as tenting, or targeted local applications, often called spot treatments. Each approach has a place. The art is matching the method to the problem, not the other way around.
I have crawled under a hundred Fresno homes, squeezed into attics when the shingles on Shields Ave soft-boiled the decking, and watched pellet piles form underneath window trim on houses near Fig Garden. The details below draw on that work. You will not find one-size-fits-all advice here. You will find trade-offs, real numbers where they exist, and the kind of judgment calls a seasoned exterminator or pest control company makes when standing in your hallway with a flashlight and a moisture meter.
Fresno’s termite landscape, in plain terms
Two termite groups matter here. Subterranean termites live in soil and move through pencil-thick mud tubes. They need moisture, so they love raised foundations with leaky irrigation nearby. Drywood termites live inside dry wood members, no soil contact, gleaning moisture from the wood itself. They arrive by alate swarms, settle in a hidden crevice, and carve galleries slowly, often unseen for years.
You can spot subterranean activity by tubes on piers, stem walls, or slab edges, plus blistered paint and soft baseboards near plumbing. Drywood termites show fecal pellets that look like tiny ribbed grains of salt and pepper, kick-out holes, and hollow-sounding trim. Fresno gets spring swarms for subterraneans and late summer to fall swarms for drywoods, though microclimates shift those windows.
Why the distinction matters: tenting eliminates drywood colonies throughout a structure in one pass. It does not prevent subterraneans from coming in from the soil later. Spot treatments can work for both types when the infestation is isolated and accessible, but coverage is limited to where you actually treat.
What whole-structure fumigation actually does
Tenting fills the entire enclosed structure with a gas fumigant, usually sulfuryl fluoride. The gas moves through air spaces, diffuses into wood, and kills termites in all galleries when exposure reaches a lethal dose, measured in ounces-hour per cubic foot. The word lethal dose may sound dramatic, but it reflects the core advantage. Tenting reaches places no technician can easily reach with drills and injectors, including gallery pockets behind painted finishes, inside decorative beams, and deep in attic trusses.
From the homeowner side, tenting is disruptive. You must vacate for 2 to 3 nights, bag or remove certain foods and medicines, coordinate with the gas utility for a shutoff and relight, secure pets, and plan for landscape issues if shrubs hug the house. The pest control service handles permits and monitoring. Crews place fans and fumiscopes, then aerate and certify reentry at 1 part per million or less. Done correctly, this is routine, but it is a production. In Fresno, fumigations often run over two calendar days, with reentry by the third morning. Larger or more complex roofs can push that timeline.
Cost depends on cubic footage and roofline complexity. Single-story 1,600 to 2,000 square foot homes commonly range from the high two thousands to the mid four thousands in Fresno, while multi-story or cut-up roofs climb from there. Prices fluctuate with fuel, labor, and tarp availability, and a pest control company will measure the structure to quote accurately.
Key limitation: fumigation offers no residual protection. If your eaves are accessible to swarmers next season, drywoods can return. If your soil stays wet, subterraneans can re-invade. Many exterminators in Fresno pair tenting for drywoods with a post-fumigation soil treatment or monitoring plan for subterraneans, so the home is not a revolving door.
What spot treatments actually do
Spot or local treatments target known or strongly suspected termite locations. Technicians drill into galleries and inject a product, or they open up wood and apply borate, dust, or foam. For drywoods you might see termiticide foams or dusts into kick-out holes, and for subterraneans you might get a localized soil injection adjacent to an active tube. Heat treatments exist as a local option for drywood termites in specific zones like an attic bay or window frame, heating wood members to lethal temperatures while shielding sensitive finishes.
Spot work hinges on access and accuracy. The success rate is high when the infestation is constrained and the tech reaches all live galleries. Success drops when the infestation is dispersed or hidden behind finishes you cannot disturb without remodeling. Spot work is less disruptive, usually done in hours rather than days. Families stay home, pets go in the yard, and you avoid the whole tenting choreography. Cost runs lower too, from a few hundred dollars for a single window header to a couple thousand for multiple areas or a localized heat job.
But a spot job only treats the spot. If two more colonies sit six feet away inside a beam, and you miss them because the paint looks perfect, they survive. That is where the Fresno experience matters. Certain neighborhoods with older redwood fascia and wide eaves tend to have dispersed drywood pockets. Certain slab homes with perimeter planters and leaking drip lines lean subterranean. A seasoned exterminator in Fresno CA will read the house, not just the droppings.
The inspection that decides the path
Before you choose tenting or spot treatment, invest in a thorough inspection. A real inspection goes beyond tapping baseboards. It includes attic and crawlspace entry when safe, probing suspect wood, scanning with a moisture meter, tracing mud tubes to their soil origin, and digging a few inches at the foundation line. In slab homes with stucco to grade, the inspector looks for expansion joints, cracks, and utility penetrations the termites can use.
Drywood detection can be tricky. Pellets can travel from roof voids down wall cavities and appear in baseboard corners, giving a false sense of the source. Sometimes the real colony hides in a rafter tail over the porch. Heat signatures help, but Fresno attics in July can register high temperatures everywhere, which masks subtle differences. I rely on patterns: multiple pellet piles across rooms, pellets in window sills on both sunny and shaded sides, kick-out holes in fascia under fresh paint, and blistered sections of crown or door casing. If signs appear in three or more distant zones, tenting starts to look like the efficient choice.
For subterraneans, look for mud tubes in the crawlspace, soil lines on piers, and broad moisture. If tubes are confined to one corner and grading improvements plus a localized soil treatment are feasible, a spot approach can deliver lasting results. If the crawlspace shows tubes across several piers or up the stem wall in multiple runs, a perimeter soil treatment or bait system is more appropriate. Tenting alone will not solve a subterranean problem that originates in the yard.
When tenting earns its keep
Tenting shines for widespread drywood infestations. I recall a 1950s ranch near Tower District with pellet piles in the living room, master closet, and garage door header. The owners had already patched and painted twice. We could have chased galleries piecemeal for months. Instead, we tented, then returned a week later to patch known kick-out holes and seal eave gaps. Three years later, no new pellets. That is typical of whole-structure fumigation done by a reputable pest control company Fresno homeowners trust.
Tenting also makes sense when access is limited. Consider a vaulted ceiling with tongue-and-groove planks and a foam-insulated roof deck. Drilling from below would leave scars every few feet and still miss cross-grain galleries. Gas reaches them without a drill bit.
Finally, tenting is often required for real estate transactions when a WDO report shows scattered drywood activity in multiple areas. Buyers prefer certainty before closing. A whole-structure fumigation with a clear re-inspection reduces friction. Fresno agents know this dance, and many negotiate fumigation as part of repairs, especially on older homes in central neighborhoods.
When spot work is the smarter play
Spot treatments excel when you have a single known colony or a well-bounded area. I once treated a 2-year-old door frame in a northeast Fresno home where a drywood swarm had settled under the weatherstrip. We removed the casing, treated with borate and foam, and reinstalled. No need to tent a pristine house for one window. Another case involved subterranean tubes on one garage stem wall caused by a misdirected sprinkler. We reduced watering, graded soil away from the slab, and applied a localized soil treatment in a 10-foot run. That garage stayed clear, and the owner avoided a full perimeter job.
Local heat can be great for attic pockets when the structure can handle it. You strip insulation from the target bay, heat the wood to 130 to 140 F at the core for at least 60 minutes, then verify with probes. It takes planning to protect wiring and finishes, but the result is chemical-free and immediate.
Fresno rentals often lean on spot work between tenants due to timing. A single-day treatment beats a three-day vacancy. That said, long-term landlords balance speed with recurrence risk, and many set aside a tenting budget for older properties once activity spreads.
Safety and practicalities the brochures gloss over
Home fumigations are safe when handled by trained crews, but homeowners still worry. Reasonable. A few details tend to calm nerves.
You cannot stay in the house during tenting, and neither can houseplants or pets. Bagging rules apply to ingestible items that are not factory sealed in metal or glass with a manufacturer’s seal, such as opened cereal, spices, pet food, and some medications. Modern fumigants do not leave residues on surfaces, and post-clearance air levels are measured before you reenter. The smell some people notice after aeration usually comes from chloropicrin, the tear gas pest control Valley Integrated Pest Control warning agent placed to deter entry during fumigation, not the fumigant itself.
Landscaping contact is a real issue. Tarp edges can bruise shrubs and tear delicate branches. If you have climbing roses or wisteria woven into a pergola against the house, expect some pruning. Schedule fumigation before peak bloom if that matters to you. Exterior paint and roof composition handle fumigation fine. Very old wood shake roofs need careful tarp placement, and reputable crews in Fresno know how to stage sand snakes on those to avoid damage.
Spot treatments bring their own precautions. Drilling produces dust and small plugs in visible trim. Foams can stain if over-applied in a visible cavity. Borate treatments are clean but require exposure to raw wood. Local heat needs vigilant monitoring so you do not stress a plank joint or soften a nearby sealant. A careful exterminator will walk you through the specific risks before they start.
The money question, answered with ranges and context
I avoid quoting firm prices without measuring a home, but transparent ranges help planning.
- Whole-structure fumigation in Fresno for a single-story 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home with a straightforward roof often lands around 2,800 to 4,500 dollars. Complex two-story homes can run from 4,500 to 7,500, sometimes higher with open beam ceilings, multiple additions, or tight property lines that complicate tarp staging. Local drywood spot treatments frequently cost 250 to 600 dollars per treated area for injectables, more if you need finish carpentry. Localized heat work might run 900 to 2,000 for a defined attic bay or decorative beam section. Subterranean termite control has its own economics. A localized soil treatment for a single wall may be 400 to 900. A full-perimeter liquid treatment for an average Fresno home sits commonly between 1,200 and 2,800, depending on slab thickness, drilling, and linear footage. Baiting systems add a moderate installation cost and ongoing monitoring fees.
A credible pest control service Fresno CA residents rely on will give you a written scope with line items and explain the logic. If an estimate seems vague, ask what they will do if they find additional galleries during work. Clarify if a spot quote covers re-treatments within a set period.
Guarantees and what they really mean
Most fumigation warranties for drywood termites cover re-infestation for 2 to 3 years. Some are renewable. Read the fine print. They usually exclude subterraneans and new construction defects. They also exclude untreated detached structures unless tented simultaneously. When a warranty includes an annual inspection, keep the appointment. It is the best way to catch early signs and keep your coverage valid.
Spot treatment warranties are typically narrower, covering the treated area for a shorter term, often 6 to 12 months, sometimes a bit longer if the company is confident in the outcome. That is not smoke and mirrors. It reflects reality. Untreated wood nearby can harbor new colonies and is outside the contract. If you want broader coverage from a spot approach, ask about a structural borate application to exposed framing during a remodel or a preventive eave and attic program.
For subterraneans, warranties hinge on the method. Perimeter liquid treatments usually carry multi-year warranties with retreatment clauses. Bait systems tie coverage to active monitoring and service intervals. Missing visits can void the protection.
Climate and construction details unique to the Valley
Fresno heat hardens exterior caulks, then winter fog cycles them again. Eave gaps open, and drywood alates find the seams. Stucco that rides low to grade hides slab edges, which invites subterraneans to build tubes behind the stucco skim. Raised foundations with 1940s vents often sit near soil that has built up over decades, shrinking the crawlspace and trapping moisture from landscaping. I look for these patterns before I recommend tenting or spot repairs.
Roof design matters. Cathedral ceilings and open beam rooms are drywood favorites because wood volume is high and joints create natural shelter. If your home features open beams across several rooms, spot work quickly becomes whack-a-mole. Tenting saves time and preserves finishes. Conversely, modern tract homes with sealed attics, good soffit screens, and minimal decorative wood often present one-off drywood attacks at window headers or patio covers. Those make perfect spot candidates.
Irrigation is the subterranean driver in Fresno. Drip lines against stucco, planter beds that hug the slab, splash blocks that do not kick water far enough, and soil that rides an inch above the slab grade all create highway ramps for termites. Sometimes the best pest control is a shovel, a new timer setting, and a few hours of gutter work.
Choosing an exterminator in Fresno CA without getting burned
Credentials first. Look for a licensed pest control company with a current California license number. Ask about crew experience, not just years in business. You want a team that has seen Fresno’s range of construction. Ask for references for both tenting and spot work jobs in your zip code. Local climate and build types matter.
Scope clarity matters too. A good estimator will photograph findings, mark locations on a simple sketch, and talk through the rationale. If they recommend tenting, ask them to narrate where they believe the infestation sits and why they do not think it is isolated. If they recommend spot work, ask how they will verify that galleries are fully accessed and what they will do if pellets reappear two rooms over in six months.
Pricing transparency helps you compare. A trustworthy pest control service lists preparation requirements, gas shutoff and relight responsibilities, food bagging instructions, and return visit plans. For spot treatments, they state the product family and application method. It should not read like a mystery.
Finally, attitude counts. A capable exterminator balances urgency with restraint. I would rather tell a homeowner, let us open this one header and test the scope, than sell a tent for a single pellet pile next to a cracked window. And when I see pellet piles along three exposures, I explain why tenting is the honest, cost-effective route even if it means a bigger upfront spend.
Putting tenting and spot treatments side by side
Short comparisons help when you are staring at apples and oranges. Here is a concise, practical lens.
- Coverage: Tenting treats the entire enclosed structure, reaching hidden drywood galleries. Spot work treats only the identified areas and adjacent wood. Disruption: Tenting requires vacancy for several nights and utility coordination. Spot work is usually same day with minimal disruption. Cost: Tenting costs more upfront but can solve widespread drywood issues in one shot. Spot work costs less per visit but can add up if infestations are scattered. Effectiveness by termite type: Tenting excels against drywoods throughout a structure. It does not address subterraneans in the soil. Spot work can be effective for isolated drywood pockets and for localized subterranean entry points. Warranty scope: Tenting typically carries broader, multi-year drywood coverage. Spot warranties are narrower, tied to treated areas and often shorter in duration.
A Fresno casebook: three real-world scenarios
A Clovis two-story with pellet piles in two upstairs bedrooms and the front porch beam. The attic was packed with blown-in insulation, making gallery access a headache. The owners traveled frequently and wanted a decisive fix. We recommended fumigation. They bagged food and moved out for two nights. We aerated and certified reentry on day three, then replaced a few rotted sections of fascia two weeks later. No recurring pellets at the one- and three-year inspections.
A central Fresno bungalow with a single pellet pile under a bright south-facing window and no other signs. We pulled the casing, found shallow galleries in the header, applied a borate soak and foam, and sealed entry points. We advised adding a stainless screen under the eave vent above that window. The homeowner checked weekly for a few months, then monthly. Clear after a year.
A northwest Fresno slab home with subterranean tubes along the garage interior wall, all within a 12-foot run, and sprinklers hitting the base twice daily. We reduced irrigation and adjusted heads, trenched and rodded termiticide along the exterior slab edge of that wall, and did a light interior baseboard drill and inject. We installed monitors in two nearby utility penetrations. Tubes dried out and did not return. No tent needed, and the budget stayed intact.
Preventive moves that beat both methods
No treatment outperforms good building maintenance. Fresno’s climate rewards the basics.
- Keep soil and mulch 4 to 6 inches below stucco weep screeds and slab edges. Create a visual inspection strip around the house. Fix irrigation overspray and slow leaks. Water early morning so the soil surface dries by afternoon heat. Screen soffit vents and keep eave gaps sealed. Paint wood trim regularly, paying attention to end grain. Store firewood away from the house and off the ground. Do not stack against the siding, even for a weekend. Schedule a professional inspection every 1 to 2 years, especially in older neighborhoods or after additions.
These moves cost little and shift the odds. Pest control Fresno professionals appreciate customers who do the basics, because treatments last longer and warranties hold.
How to decide, step by step without a checklist
Start with identification. Drywood pellets and kick-out holes point one direction, mud tubes and moisture point another. Consider distribution. If you see signs in multiple areas across the home, whole-structure treatment merits serious attention. If signs are contained to a single feature with good access, localized work is sensible.
Factor in disruption tolerance. If you can vacate for a few nights, tenting is on the table. If you cannot, ask about interim spot work with a plan to revisit. We have bridged young families through a school semester with spot treatments and then scheduled a tent over a long weekend when they flew to see grandparents.
Think about the long tail. If you plan to sell within a year and the report will matter, a fumigation can simplify disclosures. If you are mid-remodel, get borate wood protection on open framing, then spot treat as needed later.
Finally, weigh the provider, not just the proposal. A solid pest control company Fresno homeowners recommend will not push you into the wrong bucket. They will defend their recommendation with details that make sense in your house, on your street, under your roof.
Termites force choices. Tenting clears the board when drywoods scatter across a structure. Spot work shines when the problem is small, visible, and reachable. The right exterminator ties those choices to what they find, not to what they prefer to sell. If you approach the decision with clear eyes about coverage, disruption, and Fresno’s particular climate, you will land on a plan that solves the problem, respects your budget, and keeps your home sound.
Valley Integrated Pest Control
3116 N Carriage Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 307-0612
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