Pest and Termite Inspection are an Important Part of Buying a Home

Why Home Buyers Need a Termite Inspection

A general home inspection is an important part of buying a house, but it may not include a complete inspection for termites and other wood-destroying organisms.

In California, this specialized inspection is commonly called a wood-destroying pests and organisms inspection, or WDO inspection. It should be performed by a properly licensed professional.

Although a termite inspection is not automatically required in every California real estate transaction, a buyer, lender, seller, or purchase agreement may require one.

What Does a Termite Inspection Cover?

A California WDO inspection looks for visible and accessible evidence of:

• Drywood termites
• Subterranean termites
• Wood-boring beetles
• Wood-decaying fungi
• Damage caused by these pests or organisms
• Conditions that may contribute to future problems

The inspector examines accessible areas of the building, which may include the exterior, interior, attic, crawl space, garage, and attached wooden structures.

A termite inspection is different from an inspection for rodents, ants, cockroaches, or other household pests. Buyers concerned about those pests may need a separate general pest inspection.

What Do Section 1 and Section 2 Mean?

California WDO reports commonly divide findings into two categories.

Section 1 Findings

Section 1 generally identifies visible evidence of active infestation, infection, or damage resulting from wood-destroying pests and organisms.

Recommendations may include termite treatment, fumigation, removal of damaged wood, replacement of structural components, or correction of a moisture-related problem.

Section 2 Findings

Section 2 generally identifies conditions considered likely to lead to an infestation or infection, even when active damage is not found in that area.

Examples may include excessive moisture, plumbing leaks, faulty grades, earth-to-wood contact, or inadequate ventilation.

The report should explain each finding, identify its location, and provide the inspector’s recommendation.

Why a General Home Inspection May Not Be Enough

General home inspectors evaluate many parts of a property, but they do not necessarily perform the same inspection or issue the same report as a California-licensed WDO inspector.

Termites can remain concealed inside wood, walls, attics, crawl spaces, and soil. Visible evidence may include:

• Drywood termite pellets
• Discarded termite wings
• Swarmers emerging indoors
• Subterranean termite mud tubes
• Soft, hollow, or blistered wood
• Previously repaired or replaced wood
• Moisture damage and fungal decay

A WDO inspection focuses specifically on these conditions and provides written recommendations when corrective work is needed.

Understand the Inspection’s Limitations

A termite inspection is primarily visual and generally limited to areas that are accessible at the time of inspection.

Common obstructions may include:

• Furniture and stored belongings
• Finished walls and ceilings
• Insulation
• Floor coverings
• Low or inaccessible crawl spaces
• Roofing or siding that conceals the wood
• Patio covers or additions that limit access

The report should identify areas that were not inspected. Buyers should review these exclusions carefully because concealed or inaccessible damage may not be discovered until remodeling or repair work begins.

No visual inspection can guarantee that every hidden termite or damaged piece of wood will be found.

Questions Buyers Should Ask

Before completing the purchase, ask:

• Was the entire structure accessible?
• Which areas could not be inspected?
• Were drywood or subterranean termites found?
• Is the evidence considered active?
• Is treatment recommended?
• Is damaged wood included in the repair estimate?
• Could additional damage be concealed?
• Does the proposed work include a warranty?
• Who is responsible for completing and paying for the recommended work?
• Will a completion notice be issued after the work is finished?

Do not assume that a low repair estimate covers every item listed in the report. Compare the inspection findings with the proposed treatment and repair scope.

Check for Previous Inspection Reports

The California Structural Pest Control Board maintains records showing whether a WDO inspection or completion report has been filed for a property.

A buyer can search the property address to see whether an inspection was reported during the previous two years. If a record exists, a copy may be requested from the Board.

A previous report can provide useful history, but it does not replace a current inspection. Termite activity, moisture conditions, and wood damage can change.

What Happens If Termites Are Found?

Finding termites does not necessarily mean you should abandon the purchase. The importance of the finding depends on:

• The termite species
• The number and location of infestations
• Whether affected areas are accessible
• The extent of visible damage
• The recommended treatment
• The cost of necessary repairs
• The terms negotiated between the buyer and seller

Drywood termites may require localized treatment or whole-structure fumigation. Subterranean termites generally require soil treatment or a baiting system. Fumigation controls drywood termites inside the structure but does not eliminate subterranean colonies living in the soil.

Treatment and wood repairs should be based on the inspection findings.

Schedule the Inspection Early

Arrange the inspection early enough to review the report, obtain estimates, and discuss the findings before your inspection or contingency period expires.

Avoid waiting until shortly before closing. Treatment, fumigation, wood repairs, further inspection, or lender documentation may require additional time.

Termite Inspections for Southern California Home Buyers

Tiger Termite Control provides termite inspections, reports, treatments, fumigation, and termite damage repairs in Chino Hills and surrounding Southern California communities.

Call Tiger Termite Control at (909) 597-6953 to ask about scheduling a real estate termite inspection.

Updated September 2026.