Standard home inspections cover structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems — but pest assessment varies wildly by inspector. Many note only obvious signs (active termite damage, visible wasp nests) and miss subtler indicators that a pest professional would catch. In some states, a separate WDI/WDO (Wood-Destroying Insect/Organism) inspection is required for mortgage approval, but even these focus narrowly on termites and wood-boring beetles.
This checklist covers what to look for yourself during the home-buying process — before you close on a property with hidden pest problems.
Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or utility penetrations — even old, dry tubes indicate prior (possibly current) termite activity that should be investigated.
Damaged wood — tap wood trim along the foundation, basement, and crawl space with a screwdriver. Hollow-sounding or easily penetrated wood suggests termite galleries or fungal decay.
Swarmer evidence — piles of shed wings near windowsills (especially in spring) are a strong indicator of an active colony inside the structure. See our swarmer identification guide.
Ask the seller: Has the home ever been treated for termites? Is there an active termite warranty? Get documentation — a transferable warranty is valuable. No treatment history in a termite-prone region is itself a concern.
Droppings in the attic, basement, garage, under sinks, and behind appliances. Fresh droppings are dark and moist; old droppings are gray and crumbly. Our droppings ID guide helps determine mouse vs. rat.
Gnaw marks on wood, wiring, or stored items. Gnawed electrical wiring is a fire hazard and indicates active or recent rodent presence.
Entry points — gaps around utility penetrations, damaged door sweeps, unsealed weep holes, foundation cracks. If you can see daylight or fit a pencil into a gap, a mouse can enter.
Insulation displacement in the attic — rodents tunnel through fiberglass insulation for nesting. Disturbed, compressed, or missing insulation sections suggest past or present activity.
Moisture is the #1 predictor of future pest problems. Look for standing water in the crawl space or basement, water staining on foundation walls or floor joists, condensation on pipes, malfunctioning gutters and downspouts (water pooling at foundation), and high humidity (musty smell in closed areas).
A home with moisture problems will attract silverfish, centipedes, earwigs, carpenter ants, springtails, and potentially termites. Fixing moisture issues before or during purchase prevents an entire category of pest problems.
Bed bugs: If the home is furnished, check mattress seams and headboards for fecal spots and shed skins. In vacant homes, check behind outlet covers on bedroom walls.
Carpenter ant frass: Piles of fine sawdust-like material below wood members indicate carpenter ant galleries. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat wood — they excavate it for nesting, leaving clean, smooth galleries.
Wasp and bee nests: Check eaves, soffits, attic spaces, and wall voids for active or abandoned nests.
Landscape concerns: Trees touching the roof (wildlife highway), mulch piled against siding (termite bridge), woodpiles against the house, standing water features, and dense foundation plantings that create pest harborage.