What Is A WDO Inspection And How It Can Benefit You

Termites and other wood-destroying organisms (WDOs) are a huge problem in Florida. In fact, the Sunshine State has the highest termite diversity in the US (not the kind of diversity you want) and almost a third of those species are invasive. 

It’s not just termites, though - there are also different types of fungi, carpenter bees, wood-boring beetles, as well as dry and wet rot that are harmful to wood in our homes.

A WDO inspection is one of the best ways to identify the warning signs of past and future damage. That way, you can protect yourself from costly repairs, and more importantly, health hazards.

What Are Wdos?

WDOs feed on the core components of wood materials. Since these critters and organisms disintegrate the wood from the inside out, they pose a significant threat because they can weaken the structural integrity of your home.

How bad is the problem?

These organisms can slowly eat away at your foundations, ceilings, walls, and even floors without you being aware.

This is exactly why a WDO inspection is so important as it helps inform you of the true status of decay in your home and reveals any past infestations. It’s also a preventative measure as it lets you know if the conditions in your home are suitable for future infestations.

Most Common Wdos In Florida

While each state has its share of pests, Florida arguably takes the cake as the vast majority of homes are subject to attack from insects and other organisms such as:

1. Termites

First off, we have the poster boy for all WGOs. These insects thrive in hot environments, spread like wildfire, and are typically hard to get rid of. 

There are close to 20 species in Florida, the worst of all being the subterranean termites. They can destroy every wood surface they come into contact with. Furthermore, they will form nests in damp wood that is in contact with the soil by building mud tubes that take them from the soil directly into the core of the wood.

To top it all off, subterranean termites also have wings and can start colonies everywhere. Fun!

2. Powederpost beetles

Not as popular as termites but equally devastating, powderpost beetles can decimate wood surfaces and leave a bunch of flour-like powder in their wake. 

To make matters worse, they usually don’t stop at just wood as they also go after plaster, plastic, and all sorts of soft materials.

3. Carpenter bees

Aptly-named carpenter bees can be destructive if they lay a nest near your home. They may slowly chip away at the siding of your house and can considerably weaken structural timbers.

Worst of all, they can also attract woodpeckers that enjoy feeding on bee larvae, which turns your home into a battlefield of sorts.

4. Carpenter ants

Many mistake these ants for termites, when in reality they are quite different from one another. Ants are what we call the good boys and won’t eat your wooden surfaces. 

Nevertheless, they’ll penetrate deep into the wood in your home and make nests, which can still cause major structural damage. 

5. Wood-decaying fungi

Some WDOs thrive on excessive moisture and damp timber. Unfortunately for you, there is also dry rot, which doesn’t require moisture and will spread across all timber surfaces. 

The effects of this fungi infestation?

Spongy wood which provides prime conditions for other WDOs to enter the picture.

Is A Wdo Inspection Required?

Even though a WDO inspection helps control WDO decay, it’s not always necessary.

For instance, if you’re buying a home with cash, you’re not required by law to have this checkup. However, if you’re taking out a mortgage loan, your mortgage insurance agent will require you to order a WDO inspection. 

Nevertheless, since these organisms are common in Florida, it doesn’t hurt to take a proactive approach with this inspection even if you’re not selling or buying a home. Quite simply, by leaving this problem unchecked, you run the risk of tanking the value of your home in the long run and increasing the risk of having to do extensive repairs in the future. 

Look out for the following signs of a looming WDO infestation:

• Presence of mold
• White or yellow tinge on wood surfaces
• Spongy wood
• Presence of soil in wood cracks
• Rot

What Does A Wdo Inspection Cover?

These inspections are quite comprehensive and inspectors will check for various signs of WDOs in your house’s exterior and interior. 

Here’s what an exterior inspection typically entails:

• Signs of termite activity such as shelter tubes
• Termite droppings
• Flying termites
• Ground-adjacent wood
• Dead tree stumps
• Tree branches that overhang the home
• Gutters and downspouts
• Grading
• Evidence of WDOs

When it comes to an interior inspection, the inspectors will check the following:

• WDO-prone areas such as the garage and the basement
• Window and door frames
• Signs of termites by probing and tapping susceptible wood structures
• Evidence of dead and living termites
• Conditions for WDO contamination
• Damaged wood

Inspectors will use specialized equipment to aid them during this process. If they find any evidence of termites or other organisms, they’ll include this in the report. Additionally, the report will contain remediation recommendations along with the associated costs, as well as any evidence of previous infestations.

The WDO inspection normally takes an hour to complete. Naturally, the larger the home, the longer the inspection will take. The same can be said for homes that already suffered extensive damage from WDO invasions.

On average, you can expect to pay somewhere between $125 and $225 for this inspection, with factors such as the size and the extent of infestations playing a key part in determining the exact price.

Schedule A Wdo Inspection With Guardian Angel Inspections

When it comes to the condition of your home, you should never leave anything to chance. Florida citizens have a lot on their plate, from worrying about hurricane damage and mold all the way to pests like termites.

This is exactly why you should schedule a WDO inspection as it can get you some well-deserved peace of mind and an insight into potential perils lurking below your floorboards.

Contact Guardian Angel Inspections and book a reception with certified inspectors who leverage the latest technologies to discover WDO infestations no matter how well hidden they are.

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form and say bye-bye to termites and other critters.