Wood Infestation Report

A Wood Infestation Report is a report of visible infestation and damage caused by insects (e.g., termites and beetles) and decay in accessible areas of the structure, with the inspection for decay fungi limited to the portion of the structure below the level of the first main floor. It informs the lending institution and buyer of the results of an inspection by a Pest Control Operator. As a protective measure, banks and lending institutions require that homes be inspected for damage from termites and other wood-destroying organisms before they will loan money on the home.

Homeowners are usually reluctant to admit to potential buyers that their homes are damaged by termites. For some people, the words “termite damage” bring cartoon visions of flying sawdust as tiny insects with large teeth gnaw their way through a home. Fortunately, this image is far from accurate. Even if a significant infestation of termites are present, only a small amount of additional damage will occur in the time it takes most people to come to a careful decision about treatment.

Damage that has been properly repaired or judged to be not structurally significant should not interfere with the sale of the house. Just as most used cars have a dent here and there, most South Carolina homes that are over 10 years-old can reasonably be expected to have some wood-destroying organism damage.

The Wood Infestation Report is only one part of the evaluation of a structure. Buyers and lenders rely on the report to provide information about the treatment history and current condition of the home with respect to wood-destroying organisms and their damage. This information is an essential part of the negotiating process of buying a home.

The Wood Infestation Report is not a guarantee that there are no wood destroying organisms. It is a report of the apparent absence of wood-destroying organisms at the time of the inspection. Wood Infestation Reports provide valuable information for the sale of a home, and document its present condition for future reference. Wood Infestation Reports also highlight potential problem areas. Below are some other things that buyers should look for. These may or may not be reported on the Wood Infestation Report.

1. Cracks in foundation walls. It only takes a crack 1/32 of an inch wide to give termites and other wood-destroying organisms hidden access to a house.
2. Leaking pipes and faucets. Termites and other insects seek out moisture for survival. Leaking pipes can keep wood and soil continually damp and create a perfect home for termites.
3. Wood debris around and under a house. Pieces of scrap lumber or firewood kept next to a structure can help support a colony of termites.
4. Sprinkler systems placed near the outside wall of a structure. Excessive watering can speed the breakdown of pesticide treatments around foundation walls.
5. Flower planters. Planters allow hidden and direct access to unprotected siding and cracked stucco when built in direct contact with a house.
6. Trellises and wooden fences. If a trellis or wood fence touches soil and is in contact with a structure, it provides a direct link between the subterranean termites in the soil and wood in the structure.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation recommends that the purchaser of the structure obtain the Wood Infestation Report. This places the service provided by the Pest Control Operator into proper perspective, i.e., to report all readily visible and accessible wood-destroying organisms and their damage. And, it ensures that the person with the strongest interest in full disclosure— the buyer—is also the person paying the Pest Control Operator for the report.

No. This report is simply a description of any visible activity or damage caused by termites or other wood destroying organisms. The inspection is based on careful visual inspection of readily accessible areas and by sounding or probing. A qualified building expert should be consulted to determine the extent of damage and whether repairs are necessary. Most Pest Control Operators are not builders.

The Wood Infestation Report is sometimes inappropriately referred to as a “clearance letter” or a “termite letter.” It is not a “clearance letter” in that it does not necessarily “clear” a structure. It is not a “termite letter” because it addresses more than just termites. As noted before, the Wood Infestation Report is used to report the presence or apparent absence of any wood-destroying organisms, or their damage at the time of the inspection.

The inspection for fungi, decay damage, and excessive moisture conditions is limited to those parts of the structure that are below the level of the first main floor. This essentially means those parts of the wooden substructure that are visible and accessible from the crawlspace or basement. It does not include the window sills, soffits, or any portion of the structure higher than the level of the first main floor. It is worth repeating that insect damage must be reported wherever it is visible.

When Pest Control Operators find wood-destroying organism activity or damage, they are required by law to report it on the Wood Infestation Report. If they do not, the Department of Pesticide Regulation will take appropriate enforcement action. A Pest Control Operator may submit a bid to treat and stop such activity; however, it is up to the seller/buyer to obtain a contract to have the activity stopped. Often, a Pest Control Operator is not prepared to make damage repairs. A building expert would then be called in to make the repairs, and the repair invoice attached to the Wood Infestation report by the realtor/closing attorney to show that the damage has been repaired.

If damages are found, then a qualified builder should be consulted to determine if repairs are necessary. If they are, then the builder’s invoice indicating that the repairs have been completed should be forwarded to the mortgage company along with the original Wood Infestation Report. It is neither necessary nor a good idea to have the PCO re-inspect after repairs have been made – he’s already said once that he didn’t have the expertise to evaluate repairs, after all.

If an infestation is found then the PCO’s invoice for the control of that infestation should be forwarded with the original Wood Infestation Report. It is appropriate for a PCO to issue a letter indicating “no infestation” if he has recently treated the house and issued a contract, even though the infestation may not have died out yet.

No. Often, a Pest Control Operator is the only individual who goes beneath the house or in the attic. Because of this, the Pest Control Operator is often considered responsible for inspecting and reporting anything that may be wrong with the structure. This is not true. Structural and electrical problems, plumbing, roof leaks, etc., are not normally their areas of expertise. Building Inspectors and contractors who are licensed or registered with the South Carolina Residential Home Builder’s Commission are the appropriate people to call to inspect these problems.