Termite inspection: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What termite inspection is

A termite inspection checks the foundation, the wood, the crawl space and the attic for termite activity or damage. The inspector reports the findings and recommends a treatment or a repair plan. Buyers often order one before a sale, and owners order one when they see mud tubes, swarmers or hollow-sounding wood.

Signs you need it

  • You see mud tubes running up foundation walls, piers, or the crawl space block
  • Small winged insects appear near windows or light fixtures in spring, or you find piles of discarded wings on sills
  • Wood near the foundation, such as a sill plate, a deck post or a door frame, sounds hollow or crumbles under a screwdriver
  • Doors or windows stick, or floors feel soft, and the framing damage is not explained by moisture alone
  • You are buying a home in an area where termites are common, and you want the wood and the foundation checked before closing

What the pro does

  • The inspector walks the exterior, checking the foundation, the siding, the wood contact with soil and the mud tubes
  • They inspect the crawl space or basement, with a moisture meter and a probe to test the sill plates, joists and posts
  • They check the attic and the framing for signs of activity, including frass, galleries and damaged wood
  • They look for conditions that attract termites, such as wood-to-soil contact, moisture, poor drainage and firewood against the house
  • They take notes on the activity they find, the location and the age of any damage, with photos of each finding
  • They write a report with the findings and the recommended treatment or repair, and say which items need a licensed pest control operator

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the home and the number of structures on the property, such as a detached garage or a shed
  • Access to the crawl space, attic and wall areas, including areas blocked by storage or finishes
  • Whether the inspection includes a probe or moisture test of the wood
  • Need for a written wood-destroying organism report if a lender or a buyer requires one
  • Treatment or repair estimate included in the report, or listed as a separate service
  • Follow-up inspection needed after a treatment is applied
  • Distance and the time needed for a thorough crawl space check

What a written quote should spell out

  • Areas inspected, including the foundation, crawl space, attic and outbuildings
  • Methods used, such as visual check, probe and moisture meter readings
  • Findings listed by location, with photos and the age of any damage noted
  • Conditions that attract termites, such as soil contact and moisture, listed for correction
  • Recommended treatment and the repair work listed separately, with the licensed pest control operator named
  • Follow-up inspection terms and the report format for a lender or buyer

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Did you find active termites, old damage or both, and how did you tell them apart?
  • Which areas could you not reach, and how does the report show them?
  • Do you probe the sill plates and the posts, and where?
  • What conditions near the house are attracting termites, and what should I correct first?
  • Do you recommend a treatment, and would you perform it yourself, and is that a conflict?
  • Are you licensed by the state as a pest control operator, and can I check that?
  • Do you provide a report that a lender will accept, and what does it cover?

Red flags

  • They say there is no termite risk without checking the crawl space or probing any wood
  • They push a full treatment contract in the same visit before the report is written
  • They do not explain how they tell old damage from active activity
  • They ignore the wood-to-soil contact and the moisture conditions that let termites in

What you can do yourself

You can look for mud tubes, discarded wings and hollow-sounding wood from the outside, and keep firewood, mulch and wood debris away from the foundation and the siding. You can also repair a leaking downspout or a wet crawl space vent. Do not apply termiticide yourself, do not drill or probe the structure to check for damage, and do not disturb the crawl space where termites may be active. Call a licensed pest control operator for the inspection and any treatment.

Licenses and permits

Termite inspection and treatment are commonly done by licensed pest control operators, and some states require a separate license or certification for wood-destroying organism reports. Check with your state pest control or agriculture agency for the license rules that apply to the inspection and the treatment in your area.

Termite inspection questions

Can termites damage a house without showing signs?

Yes. Termites often work inside wood or inside walls and can leave little visible sign outside. A probe of the wood and an inspection of the crawl space and the attic find damage that a visual check misses.

Do I need a treatment if the inspector finds only old damage?

Not always. Old damage may need repair without active treatment. Ask the inspector to separate active activity from old damage, and to say which repairs and which conditions need correction first.

How often should a home be inspected for termites?

Many pest control operators recommend a yearly inspection in areas where termites are common, and a check after a sale or a major repair. Ask the operator what is recommended for your region and your home.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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