Termites and other wood destroying insects such as carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and carpenter bees can do significant damage to a home.

Home inspections do not typically include a termite inspection. It takes an expert to detect termite damage. I highly recommend that you get a termite inspection by a licensed pest control company.

While some home inspectors conduct wood destroying insect inspections for their clients, I believe our clients are best served by having a licensed pest control company complete this inspection.

Why use a licensed pest control company:

• The wood destroying insect report is not part of a home inspection. The wood destroying insect inspection is completed using form NPMA-33. You mortgage company may ask for a copy of this form. There is a place for a license number on the form. CHFA, VA, and FHA loans require this form to be filled out. Conventional loan programs are now requiring that this form be filled out by a licensed pest control company and cite their license number. 

• If the home has been treated for wood destroying insects a licensed pest control company can determine if the treatment was applied correctly to begin with or if re-treatment is needed.

1. I can arrange for a wood destroying insect inspection to coincide with your home inspection. I do not charge a fee for this service.
   

2. The cost ($75.00 - $85.00) for the wood destroying insect inspection is generally paid to us.  If you prefer to use your own company provide us the name and we'll make the phone call for you. I do not look at this service as a profit center. The cost is passed along to you. There is no mark-up.

Prevention

Many termite problems can be prevented. The most important thing to do is deny termite’s access to food (wood), moisture and shelter. Follow the suggestions below.

1. Have at least a 2-inch clearance between the house and planter boxes or soil-filled porches.
2. Eliminate all wood-to-soil contacts such as trellises, fence posts, stair casings and door facings (they can be put on masonry blocks or on treated wood).
3. Separate shrubbery from the house to help make it easier to inspect the foundation line.
4. Use wolmanized wood (pressure-treated wood) so that rain will not rot it
5. seal openings through the foundation.
6. Remove wood scraps or stumps from around foundations.