A home is typically the most expensive investment a person can make in their lifetime. That’s why proper maintenance and inspections are crucial—whether you’re buying, selling, or simply maintaining your home.
One of these crucial inspections is a wood destroying organism or WDO inspection. This type of inspection looks for little critters like termites, beetles, fungus, and other types of wood borers in, on, and around your home.
Read on for more information about what a WDO inspection is, why you need it, and how to prevent those pests in the first place.
What Is A WDO?
A WDO is a wood destroying organism. There are many different types of these critters but the main ones in Florida are wood boring beetles, several species of termites, and Wood Destroying Fungus.
Florida is virtually a safe haven for these insects because of the high humidity and hot climate.
Each species of insect works a bit differently but ends up causing the same type of damage. They weaken the wood and eventually, it rots out, leaving the structure unsafe.
What Is A WDO Inspection?
A wood destroying organism inspection differs from a typical home inspection in the way that it looks specifically for evidence of wood decay, rot, and pests.
Your inspector will look at all of the wood components of your home. They will go in the attic, up on the roof, tour the outside of the home, and look at your baseboards for evidence of past or present pests.
What Is a WDO Report and Why Is It Important?
When you have a WDO inspection performed, the findings are documented in a detailed WDO report. This report provides a record of any evidence of wood-destroying organisms, including termite activity, signs of wood damage from carpenter ants or powderpost beetles, and the presence of wood-decaying fungi.
A WDO report is essential in real estate transactions, as many lenders require it before approving a loan. For homeowners, it serves as an official record to address current issues or prevent future infestations. By hiring licensed WDO inspectors, you can ensure that every nook and cranny of your home is carefully examined, giving you peace of mind.
Who Needs a WDO Inspection?
Everyone who owns property should be getting a WDO inspection, but this is especially true in the state of Florida. The damp habitat makes it a prime area for wood rot, decay, and thriving colonies of wood destroying insects.
It’s vital to get a WDO inspection at least once a year, especially if you do not implement a preventative treatment. It may seem like a lot, but a colony can begin at any time and it’s vital to catch them early (before you have a thriving colony that has damaged your home beyond repair). We recommend having your Pest Control Operator perform a termite inspection every May. The swarms associated with the reproductive alates moving to start a new colony are usually done by May and your inspection will be less likely to miss a problem.
Common Wood-Destroying Organisms in Florida
Florida’s hot and humid climate makes it a haven for various wood-destroying organisms. Knowing the culprits can help you understand what inspectors are looking for during a WDO inspection. Here are the most common offenders:
- Termites: These include subterranean and dry wood termites, which eat through wood, leaving behind mud tubes, discarded wings, and termite frass (excrement). Evidence of termite activity can include sagging or hollow wood.
- Powderpost Beetles: These pests lay eggs in wooden structures, and their larvae bore into the wood as they grow. The damage is often seen in older homes or furniture made from untreated wood.
- Carpenter Ants and Carpenter Bees: While they don’t consume wood, these insects excavate it to build their nests, often leaving behind sawdust-like material as evidence.
- Wood-Decaying Fungi: High humidity creates the perfect conditions for this fungus, which weakens wood over time, leading to rot and structural damage.
Whether it’s termites hollowing out your walls or signs of wood decay from fungi, a licensed WDO inspector can identify these issues early to protect your property
Who Can Provide a WDO Inspection?
In the state of Florida a State Certified Wood Destroying Organism Inspector is required to perform this type of inspection. Most Pest Control Operators and some Home Inspectors are certified, but you’ll want to ask your inspector to see their WDO identification card to ensure they are. You have to have a special licensed individual (different that the inspection) to treat the damage and infestation, but knowing there is an infestation is half the battle.
How Can I Prevent Pests?
Regular Inspections – Not only do regular inspections give you the peace of mind each year that you are not sharing your home with critters, but it can stop an issue before it begins. Your inspector can identify potential problems so that you can take care of them before you invite pests into your home.
Identify Leaks – Water and wood do not mix well. Or rather they do, which is why they are a bad idea. If you have a leak under your cabinets or anywhere in your home, it’s crucial that you get it taken care of immediately. Wet wood is a hardy invitation for pests looking for an easy way to munch through your home.
Store Wood Properly – Make sure that you store wood away from your home (i.e. outside, away from your dwelling) and properly elevated away from the soil. It’s not a foolproof method for keeping pests away but it does deter them away from your home.
Termite Containment – Having a licensed Pest Control Operator maintain an active containment protocol is key! Don’t fall into the trap that termites don’t infest block homes. All homes, regardless of construction, should have an active protocol in place to prevent infestation. Let the professionals determine which protocol, chemical, or inspection periodicity is needed for your area.
Stay One Step Ahead of Wood-Destroying Pests
Wood destroying organisms in Florida can become a huge problem, but luckily, they don’t have to be. You can protect your home from these pests with regular inspections and some preventative measures.
Seeking out a professional inspector for your home is the first step to controlling or preventing wood destroying organisms before they start.
Call EDC home inspections today and we will guide you through the process. We are always happy to help.
