Termite Inspection and Treatment Reference

Why this reference exists

Termites cause billions of dollars in U.S. residential property damage annually. Termite inspection + treatment is the highest-ticket service in pest control: a modest fee for inspection, several times that for treatment, + a small annual fee for ongoing monitoring. Required for many real-estate transactions (NPMA-33 forms). This reference covers the working approach to identifying species, choosing treatment, + selling the protection.

Species + biology

Subterranean termites (most common U.S.):

• Eastern Subterranean (Reticulitermes flavipes): everywhere east of Rockies
• Formosan (Coptotermes formosanus): aggressive, Gulf Coast + southern; super-colonies
• Western Subterranean (R. hesperus): West Coast + Southwest

Live in soil, build mud tubes up structure to wood food source. Most damaging species.

Drywood termites:

• No soil contact; live entirely in wood
• Frass (sawdust-like droppings) is sign
• Coastal southern states + Southwest
• Smaller colonies, slower damage

Dampwood termites:

• Only in damp/decaying wood
• Pacific Northwest + coastal CA
• Rare in heated/dry buildings
• Smallest economic impact

Identification

Mud tubes: 1/8-1/4" tubes on foundation, walls, ceiling joists. Termites travel inside; protect from light + dehydration. Most reliable subterranean sign.

Wood damage: galleries along grain, soft hollow sound when tapped, layered paper-thin appearance. Different from carpenter ant damage (smooth, clean).

Frass (drywood): tiny brown pellets at hole locations.

Swarmers (winged reproductives): seen indoors in spring (subterranean) or year-round (drywood). Often dropped wings near windowsills.

Wing identification:

• Termites: 4 wings same size; straight body; antenna straight
• Ants: 4 wings unequal; pinched waist; antenna elbowed
• A photo of "is this termite or ant?" - answered in 5 seconds with this trick

Inspection procedure

WDO (Wood-Destroying Organism) inspection is the formal industry term. Many states + lenders require for real-estate.

Step 1: Customer prep

1. Customer notified; access to crawl, attic, basement, garage
2. Pets contained
3. Areas cleared (closets, garages where boxes may block walls)

Step 2: Exterior inspection

1. Walk full perimeter
2. Look for: mud tubes on foundation, wood-to-soil contact, water damage at siding + windows
3. Check wood-mulch beds (against foundation)
4. Look at deck + porch supports
5. Check for previous treatment (drill holes from earlier work)
6. Photograph any findings

Step 3: Crawl space + basement

1. Required for thorough inspection (some states; check WDO requirements)
2. Look for: mud tubes on piers + walls, water damage on sills + joists
3. Tap suspicious wood with screwdriver - soft = damage
4. Photograph any findings

Step 4: Garage + interior

1. Check basement-side walls
2. Look at door frames (often first interior signs)
3. Inspect window sills + casings
4. Bathroom subfloor (under sinks)
5. Knee walls + attic accessible spaces
6. Photograph any findings

Step 5: Diagnostic findings

Three categories per WDO report:

• Active infestation: live termites + active damage; immediate treatment
• Previous infestation, no current activity: old damage; treatment may not be needed but customer should know
• Conducive conditions: water damage, wood-soil contact, leaky pipes - conditions favor termites; correction recommended

Treatment options

Liquid termiticide (soil treatment):

• Trench + treat soil around foundation
• Most products: fipronil (Termidor), imidacloprid (Premise), bifenthrin (Talstar)
• 8-12 years effective per manufacturer
• A mid-range cost for typical residential perimeter treatment
• Most common subterranean treatment

Bait stations:

• Cellulose bait stations buried around foundation
• Termites carry slow-acting toxicant back to colony
• Monthly inspection cycles
• Sentricon, Advance, Hex-Pro
• A significant first-year cost, dropping to a modest annual fee for ongoing monitoring
• Lower-environmental impact; popular for chemical-conscious customers

Combination (liquid + bait): belt-and-suspenders for high-pressure areas (Formosan zones). The priciest install of the three options.

Drywood treatment:

• Localized: drill + inject (small infestation), borate spray (whole structure during construction)
• Whole-structure fumigation (Vikane): tarp the structure, fumigate, ventilate. Price scales widely depending on size
• For confirmed extensive infestation

Localized drywood: the cheapest treatment tier, for a typical small spot.

Contracts + warranties

Common contract structures:

Annual renewable contract:

• Initial treatment
• Annual inspection
• Free or discounted treatment if termites return
• Cost: a modest annual fee after the initial treatment
• Industry standard

Bond / re-treatment warranty:

• 10-year coverage typical (extended renewals)
• Re-treatment included if infestation returns
• Sometimes damage repair included (limit)
• Premium product; customer-paying for peace of mind

Lifetime warranty (rare):

• Some companies offer lifetime if customer stays on annual inspection
• Risk to company increases with time

For real-estate transactions: customer paid for one-time treatment + 1-year warranty.

Common pitfalls

• Missing inspection signs: customer trusted you; termites destroy home over 2-3 years before next inspection
• Wrong species ID: drywood treatment on subterranean = failure
• Conducive conditions not addressed: termites return after treatment
• Skipping the WDO report: real-estate transaction stalled
• No follow-up inspection: warranty void at limit
• Customer expects "all termites dead overnight": bait works in 60-180 days
• Liquid termiticide in flooded conditions: doesn't work; reschedule
• No customer education on what found: customer thinks you missed obvious damage

Customer talking points

For inspection:

1. "Inspection includes [scope]. Takes 60-90 minutes."
2. "WDO report (formal document) if requested for real-estate purchase."
3. "Findings: active, previous, or conducive conditions."

For treatment recommendation:

1. "Active termites found at [locations]. Recommend [liquid / bait] treatment."
2. "Liquid: $X, 8-12 year protection, conventional."
3. "Bait: $Y first year + $Z annual, lower environmental impact, slower acting."
4. "Both effective; choose based on preference + budget."
5. "Annual inspection $A; protects warranty."

For real-estate context:

1. "WDO inspection complete; report to your realtor + lender."
2. "Currently active: [yes/no]"
3. "Recommended pre-closing: [treatment if active]"

Code + regulation

• EPA-registered termiticides only
• State pesticide applicator license required
• Real-estate disclosure: many states require WDO inspection results
• NPMA-33 form (standardized real-estate WDO report)
• ID + record retention per state (typically 3-5 years)

Safety considerations

• Termiticides: low-toxicity to humans but follow label
• Crawl space + attic: PPE for confined spaces + dust
• Drill work into masonry: dust + eye protection
• Customer + pet separation during treatment

References

• NPMA (National Pest Management Association) Termite Control Standards
• EPA termiticide registration database
• ASTM E2128 (WDO inspection standards)
• State pest control regulatory boards
• NPMA-33 standardized real-estate report