Many States require a termite inspection as part of the real estate transaction process. Lenders want to know that the house they are lending money to is free from these voracious wood-destroying creatures.

During the inspection, a technician searches every nook and cranny of a home, including basements, attics, crawl spaces, closets, baseboards, walls, window frames, and door frames for signs of termite infestation. They look for mud tubes, frass (termite droppings) and discarded wings.

Mud Tubes

If you spot mud tubes in or around your home, they’re a sure sign of termite inspections activity. Also known as shelter tubes, they’re essentially covered highways that termites use to navigate areas of their colony too large for them to crawl on foot or by mouth.

Termites build these tunnels to protect themselves from harsh elements. They’re often found in sheltered spaces, like a window frame or the base of a porch.

Depending on how long they’ve been in place, mud tubes can be a significant indicator of a termite infestation. If they’re discovered in a home, it’s best to call in a professional exterminator right away. After all, if left unchecked, these tubes will serve as direct paths for armies of termites to invade your home. This can lead to substantial and expensive damage. So it’s better to play it safe and hire an experienced inspector. They’ll be able to assess the extent of the problem and create a targeted, potent plan to eradicate it.

Hollow Sounds

A professional termite inspections checks a variety of places where hollow sounds can indicate termite presence. Floorboards, walls, baseboards, wood architectural features, decks, sheds and other outbuildings are typical spots for inspection. If Formosan or drywood termites are present, you may hear a banging sound similar to someone crumpling a paper bag in their fist. This rattling is the result of worker termites tapping their heads against wood to send signals to fellow members of the colony.

Other telltale signs of termite infestation include mud tubes, discarded wings and damage to wooden structures such as fences, gazebos and deck supports. Full termite inspections check for these and other issues such as soil-to-wood contact, moisture and other things that attract the pests. Your inspector will also provide valuable suggestions for structural modifications and other ways to minimize the chances of future infestations. A termite report is required for most real estate transactions. This provides both the buyer and the lender with a clear picture of the property's condition so that they can decide whether to proceed with the sale.

Discarded Wings

A termite inspection is a thorough walk-around of the property by an expert who will examine for signs of termite infestation and damage as well as conditions conducive to termite presence, like soil-to-wood contacts. The inspector will typically wear protective clothing and a mask to avoid direct contact with termites or their droppings. They will clear away stored items that block their view of the foundation walls and use a flashlight, a screwdriver and other probing tools to tap on wooden surfaces for hollow sounds and wood-colored marks.

They will look at all areas where wood is present, including under porches, decks and fences, dead trees, firewood piles and wood mulch. They will also check inside homes and buildings for swarms of winged termites (alates), discarded wings and frass (termite droppings that resemble tiny, wood-colored pellets). Many mortgage companies require the homeowner to have a letter from a qualified pest control company, indicating the property has been inspected and treated, before they will finance a real estate transaction.

Damaged Wood

In some cases, a regular termite inspections can go unnoticed for years until it causes structural damage to the property. Fortunately, the damage often is repairable before the problem gets out of hand.

A qualified InterNACHI inspector can use a variety of tools to check for signs of a termite infestation. For example, they can tap wood beams to listen for a dull or hollow sound that indicates a lack of solidity inside. Alternatively, they can look for the pencil-sized tunnels that termites build for shelter. These tunnels are usually found where wood touches soil.

While it’s possible to repair some termite damage, repairing load-bearing wood components like rafters and beams can be more complicated and expensive. These structures typically need to be replaced if the infestation is severe enough. However, some cosmetic repairs are easier and less costly. For instance, a wood support can be added to the structure instead of replacing it. This works for both non-structural and structural repairs.