What a Termite Inspection Covers

A termite inspection isn't a quick glance at the baseboards. As a licensed WDO inspector, I'm walking the whole structure looking for the quiet signs of termites and the conditions that invite them. Here's exactly what that covers — and what the report and the cost really mean.

Where I actually look

Termites hide, so a real inspection goes where they live and travel:

• The attic and roofline — drywood termites favor eaves, rafters and trim.
• The subarea or crawlspace — where subterranean termites come up from the soil and where damage hides under the house.
• The foundation and exterior — checking for mud tubes climbing the slab, piers and garage walls.
• The garage and door and window frames — common drywood entry points.
• The accessible interior — under sinks, in cabinets, along baseboards and any exposed or suspect wood.
• Exterior wood — fences, decks, patio covers and any wood-to-soil contact that bridges termites to the house.

What I'm looking for

In each of those areas I'm reading the same handful of clues: pellets (frass) below drywood galleries, mud tubes from subterranean termites, hollow or blistered wood, shed swarmer wings, and the moisture and wood-to-soil conditions that make a home attractive in the first place.

Why drywood vs. subterranean decides everything

The single most important thing an inspection determines is the type of termite, because the two are treated in completely different ways. Drywood termites live inside the wood itself, so a localized infestation can often be handled with targeted spot treatment and a widespread one with fumigation. Subterranean termites come up from the soil, so they're treated with a Termidor barrier in and around the foundation. Get the type wrong and the treatment fails — which is why the inspection always comes first.

What drives the cost

There's no flat rate, because homes differ. The main factors are the size of the home, how accessible the attic and subarea are, whether there's a crawlspace to enter, and the overall scope. A compact single-story with an open garage is quicker than a large two-story with a tight crawlspace. I quote inspections free and tell you the price up front — no surprises.

What the report tells you — and what happens next

You get a clear rundown of what I found, where, and what type of termite it is, plus an honest recommendation. If it's a localized drywood problem, I'll usually recommend spot treatment rather than defaulting to a tent — catching it early is exactly when spot work shines. If it's subterranean, that's a Termidor barrier; if drywood has spread through the structure, fumigation is the honest answer. Either way you get a written quote and no scare tactics. Ask for a free inspection quote any time.