A termite inspection is a visual examination of your home by a licensed inspector checking for active termites, past damage, and conditions that attract them. In California, this is officially called a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection, it covers termites, wood-boring beetles, and wood-decaying fungus. It is not the same as a standard home inspection, and the difference matters more than most homeowners realize.

My Termite Company provides licensed WDO inspections across Los Angeles County. Here is exactly what the process involves.

Termite Inspection vs. Home Inspection: What Is the Difference?

Most homeowners assume their general home inspection covers termites. It does not.
A standard home inspector checks structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC. They are not licensed by the California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) and are not authorized to perform a WDO inspection or issue a WDO report.

A termite inspector holds a California structural pest control license – Branch 2 or Branch 3 and specifically looks for wood destroying organisms and the conditions that support them. In California, the WDO inspection report is a separate document from your home inspection report.

This distinction catches many buyers off guard. They get a clean home inspection, skip the WDO inspection, and discover termites six months after moving in. Catching an infestation early costs a fraction of what late-stage treatment and structural repairs cost. Average termite damage repair in Los Angeles runs between $3,000 and $15,000 or more, depending on how long the infestation went undetected. See our termite damage repair service for more on what repairs involve.

What Does a Termite Inspector Look For?

Los Angeles has two primary termite species that inspectors check for: drywood and subterranean. Each leaves different signs. Before scheduling, review our termite inspection checklist to understand what you can note in advance.

Signs of Drywood Termites

Frass – tiny, six-sided pellets that look like sawdust or fine sand near baseboards, window sills, or inside closets. Frass is the most common first sign homeowners notice.
Discarded wings – small, equal-length wings found on floors or window sills, especially after warm days in spring.
Kick-out holes – small, circular exit holes in wood where termites push frass out of their galleries.
Blistered or rippled paint that resembles water damage but with no plumbing source nearby.
Hollow – sounding wood when tapped – drywood termites hollow out wood from the inside.

Learn more about drywood termites in Los Angeles including common entry points and treatment options.

Signs of Subterranean Termites

Mud tubes on foundation walls, stem walls, garage walls, or exterior concrete — subterranean termites build these pencil-width tubes to travel from soil to wood without exposure to air.
Soft, hollow-sounding baseboards near moisture sources or along the floor perimeter.
Wood that sounds hollow near ground level or anywhere soil comes close to framing.
Moisture damage combined with earth-to-wood contact — the two conditions subterranean termites depend on.

For a full species breakdown, see our guide on subterranean termites in Los Angeles.

Conducive Conditions Inspectors Flag

Beyond active infestations, inspectors document conditions that create risk:

Wood-to-soil contact (siding or framing touching the ground)
Standing water or moisture near the foundation
Faulty drainage or improper grading
Wood debris or cellulose material in the crawl space
Damaged or missing weep screeds

These are typically classified as Section 2 findings – more on that below.

What Areas Does the Inspector Check?

The inspector works through the entire structure systematically:

Exterior: Foundation perimeter, wood-to-soil contact points, siding, eaves, fascia boards, window and door trim, decks, fences, and any attached wooden structures.
Attic: Rafters, trusses, rafter tails, plumbing and electrical penetrations, attic vents, and roof sheathing.
Crawl Space / Subarea: All accessible framing, floor joists, subfloor, pipes, vapor barrier condition, and earth-to-wood contacts.
Garage: Wall framing, door frames, ceiling joists, and any wood stored in contact with the concrete slab.
Interior: Accessible rooms checked for moisture signs, hollow-sounding walls, floor anomalies, and windows or doors that stick – a sign of warped or damaged framing.
Inaccessible Areas: Any areas the inspector could not access – locked crawl spaces, finished walls, sealed attics – are documented in the report as inaccessible. They are not skipped; they are noted.

How My Termite Company’s Inspection Goes Further

Standard inspections rely on visual checks and probing suspect wood with a tool. When the inspector finds something suspicious inside a wall or ceiling, the traditional next step is drilling to get a look — destructive and disruptive.

My Termite Company uses radar/camera guided inspection technology to inspect inside walls without drilling. This non-invasive approach lets inspectors confirm or rule out activity behind surfaces without damaging your home. Thermal imaging also detects moisture anomalies behind walls – the moisture conditions that attract subterranean termites long before any visible damage appears.

This matters because termites live inside wood. By the time surface damage is visible, the infestation is already well established. Catching it earlier means less damage and lower treatment cost.

How Long Does a Termite Inspection Take?

Most single-family home inspections in Los Angeles take 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Larger properties, multi-unit buildings, or homes with complex crawl spaces or large attics run 90 minutes to 2 hours.

The inspector documents findings during the visit. The written WDO report is typically delivered the same day or within 24 hours.

When Should You Get a Termite Inspection in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles County’s climate supports termite activity year-round. Specific timing windows to pay attention to:

Annually – Annual inspections catch problems while they are small and inexpensive to treat.
During swarm season – Drywood termites swarm in LA from March through May. Subterranean termites swarm February through April. If you see discarded wings or frass after a warm day, schedule an inspection within a few days, not weeks. The UC IPM Termite Pest Notes document swarm behavior and identification in detail.
After a plumbing leak or water event – Moisture near the foundation or subfloor is the primary attractor for subterranean termites. Any water event warrants an inspection.
Before a major renovation – Opening walls or replacing flooring regularly reveals hidden termite damage. Know what you are dealing with before construction begins.
After neighbors are treated – Termites migrate. When a neighboring property is tented or treated, displaced colonies sometimes move into adjacent structures.
When buying or selling a home – See our real estate termite inspection service for escrow-specific WDO reports, Section 1 clearance, and completion notices.

Understanding Your Termite Inspection Report (Section 1 vs. Section 2)

In California, the WDO inspection report organizes findings into two sections. Here is what each one means.

Section 1 – Active Infestations and Existing Damage

Section 1 items are active infestations or existing damage that requires treatment or repair now. Examples include live termites, active mud tubes, frass from an active drywood colony, and structural wood already compromised by decay or termite activity.

In a real estate transaction, escrow typically requires all Section 1 items to be cleared before the sale closes. “Cleared” means the infestation has been treated structural repairs to damaged wood are quoted separately and negotiated between buyer and seller.

Section 2 – Conditions Likely to Lead to Infestation

Section 2 items are not active infestations. They are conditions that create elevated risk for a future infestation. Examples include wood near (but not touching) soil, a slow plumbing drip creating moisture under the structure, or old cellulose debris in the crawl space.

Section 2 corrections are not required to close a real estate sale, but addressing them proactively costs far less than treating a full Section 1 infestation later.

What Happens After Treatment – The Completion Notice

Once Section 1 items are treated, the inspector returns to verify the clearance and issues a Completion Notice. This document is required by escrow and by most mortgage lenders like FHA and VA loans in particular require a clear termite report before funding.

The completion notice carries a date, and most lenders and agents require the inspection to be dated within 60 to 90 days of close. If significant time passes between inspection and closing, a re-inspection is typically requested.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CA DPR) oversees the treatment products licensed inspectors use, ensuring all methods meet state safety and efficacy standards.

How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost in Los Angeles?

Standard homeowner inspection: Free to $75 for most single-family homes. Many companies, including My Termite Company, offer free inspections. A free inspection covers the same process as a paid one, it does not produce a formal WDO report document.
WDO report for real estate or escrow: $100 to $200 depending on property size and documentation requirements.
Re-inspection / Completion Notice: $75 to $100 as a separate fee.

The inspection does not include treatment. Treatment is quoted separately after you review the findings and decide how to proceed. See our guide on what termite treatment costs for a full breakdown and our guide on types of termite treatments to understand your options before that conversation.

Schedule Your Termite Inspection

The inspection is the first step. Once your inspector completes the walkthrough and you receive the report, you know exactly what you are dealing with and what your options are.

For homeowners: Schedule a licensed termite inspection in Los Angeles

Buying or selling a home? See our real estate termite inspection service — including WDO reports, Section 1 clearance, and completion notices for escrow.

Termite Inspection: What Happens, What Inspectors Look For, and What the Report Means