What Are Wood Destroying Insects?
There are numerous steps involved in buying or selling a home, including getting a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) Inspection Report. Here’s what you need to know about what WDI reports entail and how to get one for your home.
What Are Wood Destroying Insects?
Common wood-destroying insects in areas around Maryland and Delaware include termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and woodboring beetles.
A single home or building could sustain structural damage to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars from these pest insects, which feed on, burrow through, and nest inside of wood.
What Is a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) Report?
A Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, commonly abbreviated as WDI or WDIR, is a report that details findings from a thorough visual inspection of a home by a certified Home Inspection or Pest Control company.
The inspection specifically looks for signs of wood-destroying insects, especially termites, and provides professional recommendations for treatment.
A WDIR is important because you want to know the exact condition of the home that you are investing in. Getting a WDI inspection done before buying or selling a home can save thousands of dollars in potential structural damage caused by termites and other insects. In some cases, a WDI report may also be required to obtain a mortgage from the bank.
What Does the Inspector Look For?
1. Common wood-destroying insects:
Termites – Eastern subterranean termites are commonly found in the Northeast. They live in underground colonies and feed on wood.
Carpenter Ants – Carpenter ants build their nests in damp or decaying wood, often damaged by mold.
Carpenter Bees – Carpenter bees don’t eat wood, but they can cause damage by drilling holes to creating tunnels inside wooden structures.
Woodboring Beetles – Woodboring beetles lay their eggs within cracks and holes found in wood. Their larvae gradually eat their way out over a span of several years.
2. Signs of wood-destroying insects:
Live or dead insect specimens
Mud tubes, or shelter tubes
Tiny holes in wood (bore/exit holes)
Visible damage to wood and structures
Hollow, blistering, or darkening wood
Peeling or bubbling paint on wooden surfaces
Discarded termite swarmer wings near doors and windowsills
Insect droppings, or frass
WDI inspections are visual inspections only, which means that the inspector will only be looking at readily accessible and unobstructed areas, both on the inside and outside perimeters of your home. The inspector will not open walls, flooring, or ceilings as part of a WDI inspection.
How Much Does a WDI Report Cost and Who Pays for It?
The cost of a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) inspection report can vary depending on the size and location of the property, as well as the experience level of the inspector.
When it comes to WDI inspections, don’t just default to the cheapest option.
Wood-destroying insects such as termites cause billions of damage for homeowners each year in the United States. An incomplete or inaccurate inspection may cost you a lot more money in the long run.
As stated in the NPMA-33 form used for WDI reports:
“The inspection firm cannot guarantee that any wood-destroying insect infestation and/or damage disclosed by this inspection represents all of the wood-destroying insect infestations and /or damage which exist as of the date of the inspection…
…There is no warranty, express or implied, related to this report unless disclosed as required by state regulations or a written warranty or service agreement is attached.”
This means that the accuracy and quality of the WDI report will vary based on the inspector you hire.
If you want peace of mind, knowing that your new home is safe from these destructive pests, you’ll want to consider hiring a certified, experienced, and reputable company, even if it costs a little more.
Who pays for the WDI inspection report is a negotiable item. In most cases, the buyer will request and pay for the inspection, especially if the WDI report is required for the mortgage. In other cases, buyers who live in areas with a high likelihood of termite infestations will want to include the inspection as part of the contract contingency and ask the seller to pay for it.
How To Schedule a WDI Inspection
To schedule a WDI Inspection click the Schedule Your Appointment button at the top of the page and we’ll get your WDI Inspection scheduled right away.
