Wood Destroying Insects Inspection

Although the most common wood-destroying insects lurk inside the wood, there are a few noticeable signs that can alert you to an issue such as softwood that emits a hollow sound when tapped and blistering or darkening wood. For termites, look for discarded wings near doors or

windowsills, small piles of feces that look like sawdust, or dry, brown mud tubes on the exterior of a structure that resemble pencil-thin tunnels.

If your home is less than three years old, you may not find any visible evidence of termites since it could take three to eight years before signs of an infestation can be seen with the naked eye.  

Since prevention is best, you can take steps to keep wood-destroying insects from devouring your home, regardless of its age. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends:

• Eliminating or reducing moisture in and around a property
• Repairing leaky faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units
• Repairing worn or rotted fascia, soffits, and shingles
• Replacing weather stripping or loose mortar around foundations and windows
• Installing downspouts, gutters, and splash blocks to divert water.
• Maintaining an 18-inch space between the soil and any wooden part of a structure
• Storing firewood, a minimum of 20 feet from a structure
• Consider scheduling an annual WDI Inspection.

If you are working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Housing Administration, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development to purchase a property, you will be required to have a WDI Inspection. In addition, most banks require, or at least recommend, that a WDI
Inspection is completed prior to authorizing a mortgage.

Whether or not a WDI Inspection is required, be sure to look for visible signs of wood-destroying insect infestations as mentioned above anytime
you are touring a property. You could save thousands of dollars on costly repairs or treatments that are not covered by insurance.

Our professional pest control technicians can conduct a comprehensive WDI Inspection and give you peace of mind. Contact us at 614-937-3579 to schedule a WDI inspection.