Termites are a fact of life in North Texas. The subterranean colonies that live in our clay soil don’t care what year the house was built or how well it’s been kept — they follow moisture and wood. A wood-destroying insect (WDI) inspection looks for the evidence, and the official Texas WDI report is what your lender, and often your contract, requires. I’m Ricky Ray, a TREC-licensed Certified Master Inspector® and a licensed WDI inspector through the Texas Department of Agriculture, and I do the termite inspection during the same visit as your home inspection.
What a WDI Inspection Covers
The inspection is a visual search of the accessible interior, exterior, attic, and crawlspace (where there is one) for evidence of termites and other wood-destroying insects, plus the conditions that invite them. It covers:
- Live termites, mud tubes, shelter tubes, swarmers, and discarded wings
- Damaged or hollowed wood at sills, door frames, baseboards, window trim, and structural members
- Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-boring beetles
- Wood rot and decay fungi, which show up on the report as conducive conditions
- Wood-to-soil contact, high soil grade, moisture at the slab edge, and other conditions that lead to infestation
- Evidence of previous treatment, such as drill holes in the slab or bait stations in the yard
Findings go on the official Texas Structural Pest Control Service WDI report form, which is what lenders and title companies expect.
Why Do It With the Home Inspection
Scheduling a separate pest company means a second appointment, a second set of eyes that hasn’t seen the rest of the house, and a report that doesn’t connect to the home inspection findings. Doing both in one visit means the moisture problem I find at the water heater and the termite tubes I find in the garage wall end up in the same conversation, which is how you actually understand the house. It’s also one less thing to coordinate during a short option period.
What a WDI Report Is Not
A WDI report is a visual inspection on a specific day. It can’t see inside walls or under slabs, and it doesn’t guarantee there are no termites. What it does is document evidence of activity, damage, and conducive conditions so you can require treatment or repairs before closing. If I find active infestation, the report recommends treatment by a licensed pest control company.
What You Get
- The official Texas WDI report form, delivered with your home inspection report
- Photos of any evidence found and where it was found
- Plain-English explanation of what's active, what's old, and what needs treatment
- A licensed inspector who's looking at the whole house, not just the baseboards
What Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my lender require a termite inspection?
Many do, especially VA and FHA loans, and many purchase contracts call for one regardless. Check your contract and ask your lender; the official Texas WDI report is what they’re looking for.
Can I get just the termite inspection without a home inspection?
Yes. Stand-alone WDI inspections are available for refinances, sales, and peace of mind.
What if you find termites?
The report documents the evidence and recommends treatment by a licensed pest control company. Treatment is usually a negotiating item with the seller, and it’s far less expensive than the damage termites do when nobody’s looking.
Are you licensed for WDI inspections?
Yes. I hold a Texas Department of Agriculture WDI license in addition to TREC license #22916 and Certified Master Inspector® certification, and I’m insured for liability and errors & omissions.
Schedule Your Termite / WDI Inspection
Need a termite report with your inspection anywhere in the Fort Worth area? Call or text 469-879-2772, or schedule online and add the WDI report when you book.