6 Questions To Ask About Pest Inspections Before Selling Your Home
July 9th, 2007 categories: Buying San Diego Real Estate, Selling San Diego Real Estate
Consumers need to know about wood-destroying organisms and the inspection reports issued for real estate transactions.
Why inspect?
Every year, thousands of homes are attacked by termites or other wood-destroying pests. Home purchasers usually want to know if these pests are present before investing their money. Therefore, it is wise to have the property inspected by a representative of a licensed pest control company who can detect the presence of wood-destroying pests and can provide a report on his findings.
Who orders an inspection?
A pest control firm is usually selected by the seller or the Homeowners Association if they are paying for any repairs noted in a Common Interest Subdivision, the Listing Agent, or sometimes even the buyer.
Is the report for termites only?
No. The Subterranean termite is the number one wood-destroying pest in the United States; hence its name is often attached to the so-called Termite Report. There are other wood-destroying insects, including some other species of termites (i.e., swarming dry-wood) that may be included in the report.
The report may also include wood-rot (dry-rot) that is caused by a combination of moisture and fungal growth, and can be very destructive.
What does the inspection entail?
A qualified representative from the licensed pest control company will perform the inspection. All visible areas of the structure which are readily accessible are inspected. If evidence of an infestation is found, it is reported on a specified form. An inspection may include sounding or probing areas where infestations are suspected.
The inspection may be performed for a nominal fee, usually paid by the seller or Homeowners Association if building is in a common Interest Subdivision. The inspector cannot see behind walls, paneling, into voids of cinder block or under carpeting. Infestations here usually may remain undetected.
Does an inspection report guarantee there is no infestation? 
No! The report gives the findings of a trained inspector who searched for visual evidence of pests in the readily accessible areas of the structure. It states that wood-destroying pests were or were not found by the inspector in these visible areas. It is possible that an infestation may be hidden inside a wall void or beam. Not all dry-rot is accessible or discovered either.
What if evidence of an infestation is found?
The company will recommend, and usually propose, appropriate treatment to control the pests. For termites, a treatment is usually warranted for at least a year. Some clearance certifications are guaranteed for more than a year, meaning that if an infestation is found while the warranty is in effect, the company will re-treat at no charge to you.
If dry-wood termites are found, it may require covering the entire structure with a tent and overnight fumigation or a more localized treatment may be recommended that is far less intrusive and cumbersome.
Microwave treatments, and freezing of live infestations are a couple of the more environmentally friendly methods that may be used. Once the report is received and if there is live infestation noted in the report, that would be an excellent time to discuss the options for treatment.
It is positively essential that you request and receive a clearance for any agreed clearance that was specified in the Purchase Contract Agreement. That would be specified in your purchase contract or any attached Wood Destroying Pest Addendum and would identify which Sections of the Pest Report you are responsible for clearing.
