WDO / Termite Inspection in South Jersey
Termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and wood decay, documented on the NPMA-33 report your lender asks for.
Catching Wood Damage Before It Spreads
A Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection looks for evidence of termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and wood-decay fungi. Termite activity is common across South Jersey, and the damage usually stays hidden inside walls, floors and sill plates until it is well along.
I'm Antwine Jones, owner of C&C Home Inspections and an InterNACHI® Certified Professional Inspector. C&C is carpenter-owned, and with more than 20 years in construction I know what sound framing looks like and what damaged framing looks like, which is exactly what this inspection is about.
What I Look For
Subterranean Termites
The termites that do most of the damage in New Jersey live in the soil and build mud tubes up foundation walls to reach the wood. In spring, winged swarmers are often the first sign anyone notices.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they hollow it out to nest, usually where it is already damp: around leaky windows, roof edges, porches and sill plates.
Powderpost Beetles
Small round exit holes and fine, flour-like frass in basement joists, flooring or older framing point to wood-boring beetles.
Wood-Decay Fungi
Rot from long-term moisture softens sills, rim joists and porch framing, and it also makes the wood more attractive to insects.
How the Inspection Works
1. Visual Inspection
I inspect the accessible interior and exterior wood: sills, joists, framing, exterior trim, the foundation perimeter, crawlspaces and attics.
2. Evidence Check
I look for live activity, mud tubes, frass, exit holes and decay damage, and note the conditions that invite wood-destroying organisms.
3. NPMA-33 Report
You receive the official NPMA-33 report documenting what was found, the form lenders accept for FHA and VA loans.
Conditions That Invite Trouble
Many South Jersey homes have basements or crawlspaces, and moisture there is the most common reason wood-destroying organisms move in. Even when there is no activity today, I point out the conditions that make it more likely, so you know what to fix after you move in:
- Wood siding, trim or porch posts in contact with the soil
- Mulch and planting beds piled against the foundation
- Firewood and lumber stored against the house
- Damp basements and crawlspaces, and leaking gutters or downspouts
- Plumbing leaks that keep framing wet
- Earlier repairs or treatment marks that suggest past activity
Common Questions
Do I need a WDO inspection to buy a home in New Jersey?
A WDO report is required by many lenders for FHA and VA loans. Even when your loan does not require one, it is worth having: termite damage is usually hidden, and most homeowners insurance policies do not cover it.
Is a WDO inspection the same as a termite inspection?
It covers more than termites. A WDO inspection looks for evidence of termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and wood-decay fungi, and it is documented on the NPMA-33 report.
Can I add the WDO inspection to my home inspection?
Yes. Most buyers book the home inspection with radon and WDO add-ons in one visit. Call (856) 522-6020 for a combined quote.
What happens if the report shows termites?
The report documents what was found and where. From there you can talk with the seller, your agent and a licensed pest control company about treatment, and with a contractor about any repairs, before you close.
Read more in WDO & termite inspection for FHA and VA loans in New Jersey, see all of my services, or read about home inspections in Camden County.
Ready to feel confident about your next home?
Book your inspection with Antwine, a Certified Professional Inspector who brings 20+ years of construction experience to every report.