Real estate pest inspections are incredibly important to ensure transparency and identify risks before a transaction is completed. Buyers want to be informed of any damage caused by past pest infestations, active pest activity, and conditions that could lead to future pest problems. But you might wonder: what exactly are inspectors looking for?
Real estate pest inspections are meant for identifying activity of wood-destroying insects, such as termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles. These insects can cause significant structural damage over time, so it’s an inspector’s job to conduct a thorough assessment and provide a detailed report for the property owner. During a standard real estate pest inspection, an inspector will check for the following:
- Pest Activity – Part of the real estate pest inspection is looking for evidence of pests, such as live or dead insects, discarded wings, frass (droppings), and mud tubes.
- Wood Damage – An inspector will look for wood damage, including hollow-sounding wood when knocked, visible tunnels, and blistered wood. They will take detailed notes and account for the full extent of the damage.
- Entry Points – Identifying entry points is an important part of the inspection to understand where the pests may be entering, allowing those gaps to be sealed.
- Conditions for Future Infestation – Real estate pest inspectors will check for conditions that may lead to future infestations, such as moisture problems caused by a leaky pipe or ventilation issues.
If you need a professional real estate pest inspection, please reach out to our team at Quality Control, Inc. to schedule one today.