Termite Inspection
Wood destroying insect inspections for buyers and homeowners in Indianapolis and the surrounding central Indiana counties
Termites are a real concern in Indiana. Subterranean termites are active across the Indianapolis area, and they work out of sight, inside framing, behind finished basement walls and under flooring. By the time a floor sags or wood sounds hollow, the damage can already be extensive.
A wood destroying insect (WDI) inspection from FYI Home Inspections looks for active infestations and evidence of past activity and damage. You get a formal WDI report, which many lenders require for a real estate transaction, along with a clear explanation of what we saw.
Inspections are performed by Josh Kimbrough, an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector with Indiana license HI02200084, across Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Hancock, Morgan and Shelby counties.
The termite central Indiana homeowners deal with most. They live in the soil and reach the house through mud tubes built up foundation walls, piers and cracks in slabs, then feed on wood from the inside out.
Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they hollow it out to nest, usually where wood has stayed damp: around leaking windows, roof edges, decks and rotted sill plates.
Powderpost and other wood-boring beetles leave small exit holes and fine, flour-like dust. They show up in older framing, hardwood flooring and stored lumber.
Older Indianapolis homes with basements and crawl spaces have plenty of wood close to the soil, and the sill plate where the house sits on the foundation is a favorite entry point. Newer slab homes are not immune: termites travel through cracks, plumbing penetrations and expansion joints. During the inspection we check:
Moisture is the common thread. Leaking gutters, poor drainage, firewood stacked against the house and mulch piled over the foundation all make a home more attractive to insects. Read more in our post on why a WDI inspection matters.
No. A WDI inspection is a separate add-on with its own formal report. Most buyers schedule it at the same visit as the home inspection so everything is done at once.
Many mortgage lenders require one, and the requirement depends on the loan. Ask your lender or agent early in the contract period, and we will provide the formal WDI report if it is needed.
Termites feed year-round below the frost line, but swarms are most often seen on warm spring days. Winged termites or piles of shed wings near windows and doors are a common first sign.
We document what we found and where, with photos, so you can talk to a pest control company about treatment and to your agent about repairs or credits before closing.
Add a WDI inspection to your home inspection, or see our sewer scope inspection and radon testing. Questions? Contact us at jkimbrough@fyihomeinspect.com or (463) 426-5805.
InterNACHI Certified · Lic. HI02200084 · $25,000 Honor Guarantee
