What are wood destroying organisms?

Wood destroying organisms (WDOs) are any organism that impacts the structural integrity and stability of wood. This includes termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter bees/wasps/ants, and fungus like dry rot or wet rot. They can cause extensive structural damage to wood structures and homes.

What do Inspectors look for?

When performing a WDO inspection, inspectors look for more than just these insects. Wood decay, signs of past infestations, damage to wood structures, signs of past treatments and favorable conditions for infestations are all potential items the inspector will look for.

The inspector will observe the interior and exterior areas of your home, looking for visible signs of termites, which can include: damaged wood, mud tubes, droppings, and broken wings. The inspector will check all baseboards, walls, windows, crawl spaces, door frames, insides of cabinets, closets, and around the exterior walls and foundation of your home.

Visual signs of wood-destroying organisms:

1. Live or dead insects
2. Broken termite wings near doors and windowsills
3. Visible damage to wood and structures
4. Hollowed, blistering, or darkening wood
5. Mud tubes/shelter tubes
6. Peeling or bubbling paint on wooden surfaces
7. Tiny holes in wood (bore/exit holes)