What is a Wood Destroying Pests and Organisms report?
It is a written inspection report on termites, wood-boring beetles, dry rot and fungus, used in California real-estate sales and governed by the Structural Pest Control Act. It records evidence found, areas inspected and areas that were inaccessible. Copies of reports filed with the Board in the previous two years can be obtained.
The report is produced by a licensed inspector, who is typically a Field Representative or Operator working for a registered company. A Field Representative inspects, identifies, bids and contracts on behalf of the company, and you can ask the company for its licence number before work starts.
Our guide on drywood versus subterranean termites in Los Angeles explains what the findings in a report usually point to.
What is the 10-business-day filing rule?
Business and Professions Code section 8516(b) requires a registered company to report the address of each property it inspected for wood-destroying pests, or on which work was completed, on a form prescribed by the Board. The filing is due no later than 10 business days after the inspection starts or the work is done.
Failing to file is grounds for discipline and a fine of up to $2,500. You do not file anything yourself, but you can ask the company to confirm it will file, and keep the report with your closing documents.
What does an inspector check in a Los Angeles house?
An inspector checks attic framing, roof structure, fascia, eaves and exposed trim for drywood termite evidence, and foundation lines, crawl spaces and slab edges for subterranean termite activity. They also look for beetle damage, dry rot and fungus. Areas that cannot be reached are noted rather than guessed at.
Because drywood termites live in dry wood above the ground, the roofline matters here as much as the foundation. In older houses with raised foundations and original attics, the inspector may spend more time on access panels and crawl-space vents.
If an area is covered by stored items, insulation or finished surfaces, the report says so. A good habit is to clear access to the attic hatch and the crawl-space door before the visit.
- Attic framing, rafters, roof sheathing and fascia
- Exposed trim, eaves, porch rafters and window frames
- Foundation walls, crawl spaces and slab edges
- Decks, stairs and fences that touch the house
- Garage framing and any attached accessory structure
Should I inspect before listing my house?
It often helps, because an inspection before listing gives you time to price and schedule any work instead of reacting to a buyer's report. The findings are not a guarantee of what a buyer's inspector will report, but they let you decide how to handle drywood findings or damaged wood before a contract is under way.
Inspection findings and recommended work are not the same thing, and a seller who gets a clear explanation of each is better placed to negotiate. Ask the technician to separate evidence of active termites from damage that may be old.
