by PN Schiavone

Created on: December 27, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2009

What are you actually buying when you purchase a termite inspection? It is not a guarantee that the home does not have an infestation of wood destroying insects. You are actually buying a visual inspection by a trained professional who will report any findings of wood destroying insects that may be infesting the structure. This includes but is not limited to termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and wharf- borers. The inspector is looking for mostly indirect signs of pest activity that can adversely affect the value of your purchase. It is not often that live insects are found during these types of inspections. It is important to remember that the inspector should not use investigative tactics that damage the property in question. This means no drilling or ripping apart any parts of the home. So what is the inspector looking for? The following items are of major interest to the inspector when performing such inspections.

First the inspector will look for live or dead insects that may be in or around the outside of the structure. Second the inspector looks for frass. Frass is the shavings from wood destroying insects. Carpenter ants leave what looks like wood shavings just outside of their nest. Powder post beetles leave a powdery frass when they damage wood. Finally termites leave an off color frass that more resembles saw dust. Third the inspector will concentrate his time in areas of higher moisture. Termites and carpenter ants need higher than normal amounts of moisture to stay alive. Finally the inspector will be on the lookout for unsound wood. Almost all insects that damage wood infest softer damaged wood instead of dry healthy wood.

When it comes to termites, the inspector will look for shelter tubes that the termites use to travel out of soil and into your home. In the case of Dry wood termites the inspector could also look for fecal pellets. These are sand grain type of droppings that would indicate infestation. Lastly, if you live in a southern state the inspector may also be looking for a Formosan termite. Once the inspector is finished with the inspection he will write up a report of findings.

The WDO report simply states if the inspector found visual evidence of infestation by wood destroying organisms. The inspector details what he has found with a report and a diagram. The inspector will then give his recommendation for treatment if needed. In some cases the inspector will find evidence of recent treatment, in these cases he will generally

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