Wood Destroying Insect Report: What You Need to Know

Wood destroying insects can cause significant damage to homes and buildings, making it essential to understand the risks and how to identify them.

Termites are a common type of wood destroying insect, with over 2,000 species found worldwide.

These insects can cause billions of dollars in damages each year, with some species capable of consuming an entire home in a matter of months.

The presence of wood destroying insects can be indicated by the presence of mud tubes on walls and ceilings, which are made by termites to travel between their underground colonies and food sources.

Some wood destroying insects, like carpenter ants, can be identified by their distinctive "rafters" or "rafts" of sawdust, which they create as they excavate wood.

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A WDI report, short for Wood Destroying Insect report, is a detailed document that outlines the findings of a thorough visual inspection of a home by a certified pest control company. The inspection specifically looks for signs of wood-destroying insects, especially termites, and provides professional recommendations for treatment.

The standard WDI report uses form NPMA-33 from the National Pest Management Association. A WDI report is important because it helps you understand the exact condition of the home you're investing in, which can save thousands of dollars in potential structural damage caused by termites and other insects.

Some of the signs that a WDI inspector will look for include subterranean termites, powder post beetles, old house borers, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees. In North Carolina, inspectors also look for evidence of pests that are especially common in the state, such as termite swarms, Eastern subterranean termites, and the Formosan subterranean termite.

A WDI report will typically include notes from the initial visual inspection of the property, including any signs of infestations, such as termite droppings, discarded termite wings, damaged wood, and wood dust.

Here are some of the signs that a WDI inspector will look for during the inspection:

The WDI inspection only includes the examination of areas that are easy to access in the house and attached structures, such as decks and porches. It does not require the inspection of areas that are difficult to access, like crawl spaces or behind walls.

A wood destroying insect inspection is a thorough examination of a property to identify signs of current or past infestations of wood-destroying pests. The inspection is typically performed by a qualified inspector who will make note of any evidence of infestation.

The inspector will visually examine all accessible areas of the property, including exterior and interior spaces, to look for signs of wood-boring insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles. They will also check for evidence of past activity and risks of new activity.

The inspector will thoroughly investigate all accessible wooden structures, including decks and porches, but may not inspect areas that are difficult to access without causing damage, such as the inside of walls or beneath carpets. Any inaccessible areas will be noted on the inspection report.

A typical WDI inspection involves a thorough visual inspection of the property, followed by the creation of a report that indicates the presence or absence of wood-destroying insect activity. The report will also indicate the risk of future infestations and any evidence of previous treatment.

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Here is a list of what a WDI inspector will typically look for during an inspection:

The inspector will document all findings on the WDI report, which will be used to determine the risk of wood-destroying insect infestation and to guide any necessary treatment or prevention measures.

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The Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR) is not a warranty, but a report of the visible presence or absence of wood-destroying insects at the time of the inspection.

The report will include all visible evidence of wood-destroying insects, such as subterranean termites, powder post beetles, old house borers, carpenter ants, and sometimes carpenter bees.

Conditions conducive to subterranean termites, such as wood making direct soil contacts, must also be reported. This can include cellulose debris under a structure and excessively wet wood.

Other conditions that may be conducive to termites include insufficient clearance between wood members and the soil, excessive moisture in the crawl space, construction flaws, or improper grading.

The report is not a "clearance letter" because it doesn't necessarily clear a structure, and it's not a "termite letter" because it addresses more than just termites.

Termites can infest areas that cannot be seen during a inspection, such as finished floors covered by vinyl flooring or carpeting, and interior walls.

Research has shown that termites can build tubes at the rate of approximately two and one-half inches per hour.

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If evidence of wood-destroying insects is found, the pest management professional (PMP) must report its presence and specific location on the Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR).

The PMP's job is to report the infestation, not to treat it. It's up to the seller or buyer to contract for a treatment if necessary.

If a treatment is performed, a copy of the written agreement and warranty, if any, must be attached to the WDIR. Treatment options vary depending on the insect found, the extent of the infestation, and whether a previous treatment has been performed.

In some cases, a spot treatment may be satisfactory, but if the termite infestation is widespread or a warranty is required, a complete treatment of the structure is usually recommended.

When you receive your WDIR, you may notice some conditions aren't reported. The PMP is not required to report the presence of damage or its extent.

The WDIR is not a structural damage report, so it's essential to leave evaluations of this kind to a structural engineer, contractor, or other building expert. This means the PMP won't reveal the presence of wood-decay fungi or wildlife damage.

Structural and electrical defects, plumbing leaks, and roof leaks are not the PMP's area of expertise. However, if these conditions cause conditions conducive to termites, the PMP may report them.

The PMP is not responsible for evidence that may have been inaccessible at the time of the inspection. This means buyers should take note of the areas listed on the form as inaccessible.

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Discovering evidence of wood-destroying insects can be a major setback for homebuyers and sellers.

A PMP's job is to report the infestation, not to treat it. If evidence is found, the PMP must report its presence and specific location on the WDIR.

The report must clearly indicate whether or not the insects have been or are in the wooden members. If no evidence of treatment exists in the case of subterranean termites, the PMP may submit a bid to treat the structure.

Treatment options vary depending on the insect found, the extent of the infestation, and whether a previous treatment has been performed. A PMP is not qualified to evaluate the extent of damage to a structure.

A building expert should make the necessary repairs if the WDIR indicates the wood-destroying insects are in the wooden members. The repair invoice may be attached to the WDIR.

Most homes in North Carolina in excess of 10-15 years old will have some evidence of wood-destroying insects and could well have been damaged by such insects. A "clear" report is not to be sought.

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A WDI inspection is the careful visual examination of all accessible areas of a building and the sounding of accessible structural members.

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The inspection includes evidence of both present and past activity of wood-destroying insects visible in, on or under a structure, or in or on debris under the structure.

Permanently attached decks, porches, storage sheds, etc. are included in these inspections.

Outbuildings or other detached structures are not routinely inspected unless specifically requested by the client.

The pest management professional (PMP) must have access to all interior and exterior areas of the structure to be inspected.

Areas of the structure that were inaccessible at the time of inspection must be indicated by the PCO.

An inspection of inaccessible areas may necessitate the removal of walls and to provide access, which an additional fee may be charged.

To schedule a WDI inspection, you can contact a local pest control or termite control company that is certified and insured, with good reviews.

You can also ask your real estate agent for recommendations.

A wood destroying insect report is made up of five simple sections. These sections are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential risks and issues with wood-destroying insects in a building.

The first section covers the extent of the inspection, which is a careful visual examination of all accessible areas of a building. This includes sounding of accessible structural members adjacent to slab areas in contact with masonry walls.

The second section is the actual inspection report, which indicates the presence or absence of wood-destroying insect activity. This can include termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and more.

A wood destroying insect inspection report is made up of five simple sections. These sections include the extent of the inspection, the actual inspection report, and three other areas that are covered.

The third section covers the evidence of past and present activity of wood-destroying insects. This can include visible signs of infestation, such as damage to wood or the presence of insect bodies.

The fourth section covers the risk of future infestations. This can include areas that are particularly susceptible to attack by wood-destroying insects, such as areas in contact with masonry walls.

The fifth section covers any evidence of previous treatment. This can include records of past treatments or any remaining signs of previous infestations.

Here are the five areas covered by a wood destroying insect inspection report:

A Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDI Report) is a crucial document for both buyers and sellers. It provides peace of mind that the home doesn't have any active wood-destroying colonies.

As a buyer, you'll likely work with a Realtor who will suggest or require a WDIR in your purchase agreement. This means the sellers must provide a WDI Report to you before you can move forward with purchasing the home.

A WDI Report is helpful to buyers as it gives them the comfort of knowing the home doesn't have any active wood-destroying colonies. This can be a significant advantage in the buying process.

Sellers, on the other hand, can benefit from a WDI Report as it shows potential buyers that their home is in good shape and has been maintained. This can be a major selling point.

In fact, most mortgage companies now require a WDI Report before closing the transaction. Sellers can order their WDI inspection upon their Realtor's suggestion, usually around the time an offer has been accepted and a closing date is anticipated.

A WDI inspection looks for signs of wood-destroying insects, including insect carcasses or living insects, debris from wood-destroying insect activity, and other visible signs of wood-destroying insects.

Some of the insects inspectors look for are termites, certain beetles, and certain types of ants.

A WDIR inspection is strictly visual, which means it can't detect non-visible issues.

It's essential to understand that a WDIR does not guarantee a home is completely free from existing damage.

A WDIR does not mean a property doesn't have non-visible insects present, such as those hiding behind walls or in crawl spaces.

If you're concerned about the condition of a home, a WDIR may not provide the level of detail you need.

A property inspection performed by a qualified home inspector can provide a more thorough assessment of a home's condition.