If you want to know the true condition of your home, then a wood destroying insect inspection report is essential.
We don’t personally do the termite (wood destroying insect) inspection, instead we work with another local Kansas City company that specializes in specifically just this.
A Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, commonly abbreviated as WDI report, is a report that details findings from 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, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees, and provides professional recommendations for treatment. The standard inspection report uses form NPMA-33 from the National Pest Management Association.
A WDI is important because you want to know the exact condition of the home that you are investing in. Getting a WDI inspection done before buying or selling a home can save thousands of dollars in potential structural damage caused by termites and other insects. In some cases, a WDI report may also be required to obtain a mortgage from the bank.
A termite inspection is only available with a home inspection.
If a termite inspection is needed, just let your Five Star inspector know, and we’ll be happy to connect you with our trusted termite inspection partner.
These conditions can provide an environment for wood destroying insects:
Debris under or around structure
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, harbors all insects, wood rot, boring beetles, and carpenter bees. To prevent, keep all debris away from the home, including bricks, stored wood, leaves, and compost; also, keep your home’s gutters clean.
Planter box abutting structure
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, fire ants, and moisture damage. To prevent, remove the planter box, or remove all the soil from the planter box and seal it. If possible, try not to put soil back into the planter box. Make planter box has holes at the bottom to drain water.
Insufficient ventilation
This increases the chance for termites, wood rot, decay, mold, mildew, and other insects. To prevent, install or increase the number of vents in the crawl space, and install a moisture barrier or moisture fans. Also, use sump pumps to keep water from standing under the structure. In attics, install proper ventilation.
Wood to ground contact
This increases the chance for termites, fire ants, wood rot, and all other ants. To prevent, make sure no siding, wood trim, or form boards are in contact with the ground.
Footing too low or soil line too high
This increases the chance for termites, fire ants, and moisture damage. To prevent, try to keep a minimum of 2-4″ of foundation exposure around the home.
Excessive moisture
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, and other insects. To prevent, fix all leaks and correct all negative drainage and/or standing water around the home. All water and gutters should drain away from the foundation. Also, redirect sprinklers from spraying on the house.
Wood pile in contact with structure
This increases the chance for termites, wood boring beetles, carpenter ants, and harbors other insects. To prevent, keep all wood off the ground and as far away from the structure as possible.
Wooden fence in contact with structure
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, and crawling insects. To prevent, keep wood fence off structure or install a shield between the exterior veneer and fence. Try not to connect fence to structure.
Heavy foliage
This increases the chance for carpenter ants, spiders, and wood rot. To prevent, keep all tree limbs trimmed back 4′ from structure. Keep all shrubs/plants, vines, and crepe myrtles 18″-2′ off the structure.
Wood rot
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood boring beetles, and other insects. To prevent, remove/replace all rotted wood, caulk, and seal. Also, keep all exterior wood painted and sealed.
Form boards left in place
This increases the chance for termites, carpenter ants, and fire ants. To prevent, remove foundation form boards so they don’t rot out and replace with chalk or sand.