What Is a Wood Infestation Report?

As a resident of the southeastern United States, no one needs to remind you that termites pose a serious threat to the structure of your home, business, or other property. In Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, or Georgia, before you sell, purchase, or refinance a home, you may need a wood infestation report. Many may wonder, “What is a wood infestation report?” Termite Tom and the team at Campbell Law, P.C., can answer that.

Defining a Wood Infestation Report

A wood infestation report is an official document used to disclose that an inspection of a home has taken place. It states whether there is any visible evidence of a currently active or previously active termite infestation based on certain accessible areas of a home or structure. In many states, like Florida, mortgage lenders will require this report before they lend money on the home in question.

This document is commonly referred to as a termite letter or a CL-100. It will inform all parties involved in the sale or purchase of a structure if there is or has been any insect damage to the wooden framing of the property. In states that border the Gulf Coast, the hot and humid temperatures lend themselves to a climate in which termites and other wood-boring insects thrive. Depending on where you live, a wood infestation report may become necessary.

Florida

In Florida, a wood infestation report, or a Wood Destroying Organism Report, is a written document issued after the inspection of a home. Any visible and accessible areas of that home are inspected for evidence of an insect infestation or any damage done by organisms that destroy wooden structures, including:

• Live termite swarms or other wood-destroying insects<
• Damage done by termites or other wood-destroying insects<
• Previous treatment done to mitigate swarms of and damage by termites or other wood-destroying insects<
• Evidence of a termite infestation or other wood-destroying organisms, such as certain fungi<

In Florida, a wood infestation report will look for subterranean termites, drywood termites, wood-destroying beetles, and wood-decaying fungi. Carpenter ants and carpenter bees will not be included in this report. By Florida law, a Wood Destroying Organism report, or WDO, must be available when a home is being bought or sold. The mortgage lender requires this inspection and report as part of the official transaction.

Alabama

In Alabama, an individual selling their home must obtain and pay for a wood infestation report. The inspection involved will only assess the visible and accessible damage done by termites or other wood-destroying organisms, not hidden damage or termite infestations that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
This report is one of the most important documents presented at the closing of a home, and it is crucial that you read through it carefully. As the purchaser of the home, if you believe there are signs on the report of an active or previous termite infestation, you need to stop the closing process and have the home inspected by a qualified pest control company. The inspectors should be able to tell you the level of the infestation and the cost of repair.
An official Alabama wood infestation report will look for clear and obvious signs of the following:

• Subterranean termites
• Powderpost beetles
• Wood-boring beetles
• Wood-decaying fungus
• Drywood termites

Georgia

In Georgia, many lenders will require clear proof and an official inspection report that a property is clear of live termites or damage prior to funding the purchase. This report, also known as a Termite Letter, will check if the home or property in question is suffering from any visible and apparent damage from a current or previous infestation of termites, powderpost or wood-boring beetles, or wood-decaying fungi.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, a wood infestation report is commonly referred to as a Wood Destroying Insect report. These reports are usually required in the transaction of real estate properties to determine if there is a presence, or signs of a previous presence, of termites or other wood-destroying insects within the property. A visual inspection will be conducted of all the visible and accessible areas of the structure to determine the presence of:

• Drywood termites
• Subterranean termites
• Woodboring beetles
• Carpenter ants
• Carpenter bees

FAQs

Speak With a Termite Litigation Lawyer Today

In some situations, homeowners may be reluctant to undergo a wood infestation inspection and report, as any damage done by termites might diminish the value of the home they are either trying to sell or refinance. However, in some cases, you can prove that the termite damage in your home is the result of the negligent or fraudulent practices of a pest control company.

When trying to sell your home, if termite damage is exposed that should have been addressed by any previous treatment by a pest control company, you can hold them liable for your damages. Similarly, if the wood infestation report you received came back clear when the house you purchased had a termite infestation or termite damage, you can hold that company accountable. Contact Termite Tom today for more information.