Realtor Termite Education

Presented byTroy Jensen and Esther Jensen

What is a WDIIR Report? Banks and lending institutions often require that homes be

inspected for termites before closing the sale of a home. The first page provides basic information and if there is any visible

evidence of infestation or previous treatment If there is damage present and who will correct it Statement of the inspector which describes terms, conditions and

limitations of the inspection 2nd page goes over conducive conditions Last page has is a detailed graph of the structure

What a WDIIR is not? It is not a structural damage report It is only a report about visible damage relating to infestation It is not a guarantee of absence of wood destroying insects It is an important tool in evaluating the soundness of a structure ,

but with limitations

After all, an inspector can't pick up a house and look under it, or take it apart and put it back together.

What are WDIIR’s good for anyway? Provide valuable information for the sale of a home, and document

its present condition for future reference There is no state law that requires a WDIIR for the sale of a structure It is a requirement of the lending institution. State law does dictate

that WDIIR's meet certain minimum standards. By law, all pest control applicators, inspectors and companies must

be licensed by the Office of Pest Management. The Commission maintains a database on the WDIIR's and post

construction termite treatments performed on homes in Arizona.

Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report

WDIIR

Section 8. Based on the inspector’s visual inspection of the readily accessible areas

of the property:Box A. Visible evidence of wood destroying insects was observed.

Describe evidence observed. Box A will need to be marked even if the observed evidence is

believed to be from past activity such as; tube stains, fecal pellets, termites, or wood boring insect damage.

Description of evidence and type of Wood Destroying Insects observed (Subterranean Termites shelter tubes, Carpenter bee exit holes, Dry wood Termite fecal pellets, etc.)

Box B. No visible evidence of infestation from wood destroying insects was observed. This box is marked if no wood destroying insects, or evidence

of wood destroying insects, is observedBox C. Visible evidence of infestation as noted in 8A. Proper control

measures were performed on (Date) Added as an addendum to the original report if property had

treatment completed within 30 days of termite inspection. This is usually required by the lender stating that proper

control measures were performed. Over 30 days would require a new termite inspection.

Box D. Visible damage due to (type of insect) was observed in the following areas (where damage was observed) Only insect damage observed at the time of inspection (even if

property is under warranty) must be listed here. Damage must be notated on the graph Insect damage is not limited to termites, but may also be from

carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood destroying beetles, etc.Box E. Visible evidence of previous treatment was observed. List

evidence (See also item 20 page 2) This should be marked even if the treatment is by another

licensee If the residence is currently under warranty with the inspecting

company, then it will be noted here and section 20

Section 9. Damage Observed, If AnyBox A. Will or has been corrected by this company.

Checked if the licensee will correct or has corrected the damage. (i.e. replacing a baseboard that was eaten by Subterranean Termites.)

Box B. Will not be corrected by this company. Checked if he licensee will not correct the damage. (another

company will correct damage)Box C. It is recommended that noted damage be evaluated by a licensed

structural contractor for any necessary repairs to be made. Checked for needed repairs to be made if there is a safety

concern on structure

Section 15. Wood To Earth Contact Involves wood that is part of the structure or that is attached to or

securely abuts the structure and is in contact with the ground. Wood Fences – it must be separated form the main structure (Sliding a sheet of

aluminum between the two is sufficient) Porch structures - If the posts are in the ground causing an earth-to-wood contact, they

must be set to code Concrete form boards - These are usually left over from construction and must be

removed altogether Trellises - These can be reset or cut and attached to metal stakes to eliminate earth-to-

wood contacts Railroad ties abutting structure Plantings/planters or wood stumps Trees or branches abutting structure

Incorrect post (wood to earth) Correct post (cement footing)

Section 16. Excessive Cellulose DebrisWood imbedded in the footing of the structure and are in contact with the earth (all excess cellulose material, i.e. lumber, should be removed from under or with in 3’ of the structure. Cellulose is the main staple of termites.) Firewood or lumber piled within 6 inches of the structure.

Dead branches or bark chips in planters Roots growing into the foundation (dead plants) Boxes Firewood stacked along house

Cellulose Debris Removed Debris

Section 17. Faulty GradeFaulty grade exist if the interior grade is above or at the interior slab or wood floor level

Slope (surface water tends to drain towards or stands next to the foundation)

Interior floor level at or below exterior grade such as basements, sunken rooms, sunken tubs, interior fire pits

Wood or stucco siding at or below interior grade Soil above stem wall Joist in crawl less than 18” inches or crawl support beams less

than 12”(Termites can build shelter tubes up from the ground to cellulose material about 10”. All we can do is declare this problem if it exists)

Raised planters above exterior grade and against house

Faulty Grade Grade being repaired

Section 18. excessive moistureExcessive moisture exists if there is moisture or evidence of moisture around a structure. This would include moisture sources, which are currently not moist

Moss growing on or next to house Evidence of excessive moisture from HVAC drains Water Stains

o Crawl spaceso Dark stains or discolorationso Attics, eves, rain gutters draining on to sidingo On surfaces of interior walls, ceilings, plumbing traps

Inadequate Ventilation (attics, crawls, bathrooms) Dry Rot Present – Dry rot is caused by fungus. This can be resolved by applying a Borate

product to affected area or removal of the affected wood.

Excessive Moisture

Section 19. Inaccessible Areas

All inaccessible areas to a visual inspection, also already noted in section number 7 must be noted here and on the Graph and Graph Legend of page 3

Section 20. Evidence of Previous Treatment

Evidence of previous treatment or concrete patching must be marked both in Section 8 (E) and either By Another Company or By the Inspecting Company must be notated. Additionally, all information regarding the company’s treatment, if known, must be listed in the appropriate lines. By Another Company – Signs of previous treatment (spot or full treatment) will be declared in the report. It must be seen upon visual inspection and accessible at the time of inspection. This tells you the structure has had a problem in the pastBy The Inspecting Company - If the property was treated by us in the last five years or is actively under warranty, we will declare the account number, the target pest, date of the initial treatment, and the warranty expiration date. Arizona law requires that we keep records on termite work for five years

Evidence of previous treatment

Here are some things that home owners should look for:

Cracks in foundation walls. It only takes a crack 1/64 of an inch wide to give termites and other wood destroying insects hidden access to a house.

Leaking pipes and faucets. Termites as well as other insects, seek out moisture for survival. Leaking pipes can keep wood and soil continually damp and create a perfect home for termites.

Wood debris around and under a house. Pieces of scrap lumber or firewood kept next to a structure can support a colony of termites.

Sprinkler systems or bubblers placed near the outside wall of a structure. Excessive watering can attract termites to the structure.

Flower planters. Planters allow hidden and direct access to unprotected siding and cracked stucco when built in direct contact with a house.

Trellises and wooden fences. If a trellis or wood fence touches soil and is in contact with a structure, it provides a direct link between the subterranean termites in the soil and wood in the structure.

Chemical Treatment Repellants: Mostly used as pretreatment (before pad is poured) Non-Repellant: Post treatments (after construction)

Treatment for Subterranean Termites

Traditional chemical barriers around home

Termite Baiting System

Chemicals

Non repellants/Odorless Structure is drilled, and soil is injected with liquid Provide immediate protection to structure Last multiple years in the soil

Premise - Bayer productTermidor - BASF product Altriset - Dupont product

Termite Baiting SystemSentricon System – Consists of in ground station that contain two pieces of untreated wood (“monitors”). The systems are checked quarterly to see if termites have invaded. If so, termites are collected from the monitors and placed inside a tube of bait. The bait then replaces the monitors in the station and the termites must eat their way out of the bait tubes. Active ingredient is Noviflumuron which is a growth regulator which interferes with the

insect’s ability to molt. Environmentally friendly because of less active ingredients Generally does not require any drilling of the porch, slab, or foundation walls Recommended with chemical treatment in soiled areas

IdentificationTermites can be winged or winglessVary in color by speciesHave constant contact with the soil Approximate size may vary from 1/4 to 3/8 inch long