The average person’s home is the largest investment they will ever make. It’s important to maintain your home properly, whether you are buying, selling or maintaining it.
A Wood Destroying Organism Inspection is one of the most important inspections. This type of inspection is designed to find little creatures like termites and beetles as well as fungus and other types wood borer in and around your house.
Continue reading to learn more about a WDO Inspection, its importance, and how you can prevent pests from ever appearing.
What is a WDO?
A WDO is an organism that destroys wood. These critters come in many forms, but the most common ones found in Florida include wood boring beetles and several species of termites.
Florida’s high humidity and warm climate make it a haven for these bugs.
The damage caused by each insect is different, but the end result is the same. The insects weaken wood, which eventually rots, making the structure unsafe.
Termites – Termites consume the wood and hollow out the structure. They leave behind mud tubes, wing fragments, and excrement. You may notice that the wood in your home is sagging if you have termites.
A thorough inspection will be needed because termite colonies are large.
Beetles – Beetles are a little different from termites. They do not eat wood, but lay their eggs near or in the cracks of wooden structures. The larvae bore into the wood, carving out sections as they grow. Adults emerge from the holes. Beetles are usually transferred when the tree is cut down for lumber. However, they have been known infest homes near water. The kiln-drying of modern lumber in order to stop the infestation usually kills Beetles and larvae. These pests can cause damage to older homes.
What is a WDO inspection?
The wood-destroying organism inspection is different from a standard home inspection because it specifically looks for signs of wood decay, wood rot and pests.
The inspector will inspect all wood parts of your house. The inspector will inspect the baseboards, the attic and the roof.
Who needs a WDO inspection?
Florida is a state where everyone who owns a property should get inspected by a WDO. Its damp environment is a perfect breeding ground for wood decay and wood-destroying insects.
A WDO inspection is essential at least once per year, particularly if you don’t use a preventative treatment. This may seem excessive, but colonies can start at any time. It’s important to detect them early before they cause irreparable damage to your home. Your Pest Control Operator should perform a termite check every May. By May, the swarms of reproductive alates that move to establish a new colony will have finished and you are less likely to miss an issue.
Who can provide a WDO inspection?
This type of inspection is only allowed in Florida by a State Certified Wood Destroying Organism Inspector. You can ask to see the WDO card of your inspector if you are unsure. It is necessary to hire a licensed professional (different from the inspector) to deal with the infestation and damage. However, knowing that there is an issue is half the battle.
What Can I Do to Prevent Pests from Invading?
Regular Inspections: Not only will regular inspections provide you with peace of mind that you won’t be sharing your home each year with unwanted creatures, but they can also stop an issue from occurring. Your inspector will identify any potential issues so you can fix them before pests invade your home.
Identify leaks – Wood and water do not mix. Or, they actually do. This is why they’re a bad idea. It’s important to fix any leak under cabinets or in other parts of your home as soon as possible. Pests will be attracted to wet wood if they are looking for a way into your home.
Store Wood Properly – Make sure you store your wood outside, away from the house. Outside, away from your home. Properly elevated and away from the ground. This is not a foolproof way to keep pests at bay, but it will deter them from coming into your home.
Termite containment – It is important to have a licensed Pest Control Operator follow an active containment procedure! Do not fall for the myth that termites do not infest homes built on blocks. To prevent termites, all homes should be equipped with an active protocol. Professionals can determine the best protocol, chemicals, and inspection frequency for your region.
The Conclusion of The Article is:
The wood-destroying organisms that are present in Florida can be a major problem. Fortunately, this is not the case. Regular inspections of your home and preventative measures can help protect it from pests.
The first step in preventing or controlling wood-destroying organisms is to hire a professional inspector.
