How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

TERMITES, WOOD ROT AND PESTS

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about TERMITES, WOOD ROT AND PESTS:

Should I be worried about termites if my neighbor's house is being tented?

How do I safely remove a dead rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) from the attic? 

• What does termite damage look like? 

• How do termites get into a brick house?

Is the WDO (termite) inspector allowed to poke holes in my wood siding and trim?

Do carpenter ants cause structural damage to houses in Florida?

How long before closing can you have a WDO (termite) inspection done?

How long does Bora-Care® last? 

• What is a TIP Zone Map?

Where are the most common places to find wood rot on a house?

 Why is it a mistake to store lumber in the crawl space under a house?

Does the presence of carpenter ants in a house indicate that there are probably also termites? 

How do termites infest a house and remain hidden while doing major damage?

Are homes in Florida required to have termite protection? 

If termite damage appears to be old, does that mean that termites may no longer be present?

How do I know if my WDO/termite report is "clear"? 

What does roach poop (fecal pellets) look like? 

When do termites swarm in Florida?

Does a recent termite company inspection sticker mean there are no termites? 

Can a mobile/manufactured home get termites?

Do I have to tent the house if I have termites? 

What is the difference between a subterranean termite and a drywood termite?

What are the green plastic discs in the ground around the house? 

What is a termite shield?

How does a home inspector evaluate wood rot? 

Does wood rot spread? Is it contagious?

How do termites get into a concrete block house? 

Do termites eat concrete?

What is a clean WDO?  

What do termites eat?

How do I treat wood rot  that's listed in my termite-WDO report? 

What causes wood rot on a home?

Do I really need a termite-WDO inspection? 

What's causing those holes in the fascia?

Does wood chip mulch in the yard attract termites?

Why is the inspector calling out rotten wood on my termite inspection? 

I think I have termites. What does a termite look like?

I'm buying a concrete block house. Do I still need a termite inspection? 

• I saw a little termite damage on the baseboard. Should I be concerned?

• Is wood rot found on a home inspection considered serious? 

• Why do termite inspectors tap the wood siding and baseboard wood in a home?  

Is a ground treatment for termites required before installation of a new mobile/manufactured home?

• What are the building code requirements for making a house termite resistant? 

What are the minimum access openings for a termite (WDO) inspector in Florida for a crawl space and attic, and within these spaces?

• What areas of the exterior of a home is a termite (WDO) inspector in Florida required to inspect? 

When is an access panel considered not accessible for a Florida termite (WDO) inspector?

What does a termite mud tube look like? 

Do I need a termite inspection for an FHA loan? 

• Do I need a termite inspection for a VA loan? 

• What areas of the country are most likely to have drywood termite infestations occur? 

• Do I need a termite inspection for a USDA loan? 

• Is wood-decay fungi found during a termite (WDO) inspection the same as mold? 

Can a termite inspector  guarantee that there are no termites in a house? 

• Does a home inspector check for termites? 

• Can termites eat through siding? 

What is the average life expectancy of a termite ground treatment? 

• Are temite shields required by code? 

• Can termites get through a concrete slab? 

• Does a termite inspector also check for carpenter ants?

Does a termite inspector also check for carpenter bees? 

Does a home inspector check for rodents? 

Does a home inspector check for roaches and ants? 

 Do I need a termite inspection if the seller has a termite bond?

• What attracts termites to a house? 

• Is mold a wood destroying organism? 

• Is a termite shield required for new houses? 

Why is stucco that goes into the ground a problem at a wood frame house? 

 Is a borate treatment effective for termite prevention? 

• Does tenting (fumigation) kill subterranean termites? 

• What is that new termite in Florida that also eats live trees? 

• What are Florida requirements for new home termite treatment? 

• How long does tent fumigation keep drywood termites away? 

• Does a homebuyer’s pest inspection include rats, mice, bedbugs, roaches, and ants? 

• What is code for termite protection for new homes in Florida? 

• How can I keep wasps out of my electrical panel box?


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