InterNACHI Certified WDO Inspector
Trained and certified to identify termites, carpenter ants,
wood-boring beetles, and wood decay fungi
wood-boring beetles, and wood decay fungi
Wood-destroying organisms cause billions in damage annually. Protect your home with a professional termite and WDO inspection from Quality Home Inspections.
While Colorado's dry climate reduces termite activity compared to humid southern states, termites are still present throughout Northern Colorado. Subterranean termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles can cause significant structural damage that often goes undetected until it's too late. A professional WDO inspection identifies these threats before they become costly repairs.
When combined with a full home inspection. Best value for homebuyers.
Dedicated termite/WDO inspection without full home inspection.
Payment due at time of inspection. We accept credit cards, checks, Venmo, and cash.
The most common termite species in Colorado. These termites live in underground colonies and build mud tubes to access wood in your home.
Large black ants that excavate wood to create nesting galleries. Unlike termites, they don't eat wood but can cause significant structural damage.
Several beetle species attack wood in Colorado homes, including powderpost beetles and old house borers.
Moisture-related decay that weakens wood structure. Often found in basements, crawl spaces, and areas with water intrusion.
Understanding local termite activity helps homeowners make informed decisions. Here's what we see in different Northern Colorado areas.
Older neighborhoods in Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley
Windsor, Berthoud, Johnstown, Timnath
Estes Park, Wellington, newer developments
Important: Even in "lower risk" areas, carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles remain active. Any home purchase or VA/FHA loan should include a professional WDO inspection.
The NPMA-33 (National Pest Management Association Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Report) is the official form required by VA lenders and often requested by FHA lenders. This standardized report documents:
Our NPMA-33 reports are accepted by all VA-approved lenders, conventional lenders, and title companies throughout Colorado.
The VA requires termite inspections in most areas, including Colorado. Requirements include:
Note: Seller typically pays for the termite inspection on VA loans, but this is negotiable in your purchase contract.
We inspect the home's exterior including foundation walls, siding, window frames, door frames, and any wood-to-soil contact points.
We examine accessible wood structures, baseboards, window sills, door frames, and areas where moisture could attract WDOs.
Critical areas where WDO activity often begins. We inspect floor joists, sill plates, support posts, and foundation walls.
You receive a comprehensive report documenting any evidence of WDO activity, damage, or conditions conducive to infestation.
Many homeowners assume that Colorado's semi-arid climate means they don't need to worry about termites. While it's true that termite activity is less prevalent here than in humid southeastern states, Northern Colorado is home to subterranean termites that can cause significant damage to homes and structures. Understanding the termite risks in our region is essential for protecting your investment.
The primary termite species found in Northern Colorado is the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes). These termites live in underground colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands of individual insects. They require moisture to survive and build distinctive mud tubes to travel between their underground colonies and the wood they consume in your home.
Subterranean termites are particularly problematic because they can work undetected for years. By the time visible damage appears, they may have already compromised significant structural elements. The average termite colony consumes about one foot of a 2x4 board per year, but larger colonies can do much more damage. Since termite damage isn't covered by homeowners insurance, early detection through professional inspection is your best protection.
While Colorado's dry climate naturally limits termite activity, certain conditions around your home can create ideal environments for these destructive pests. Homes with irrigation systems that keep soil moist near the foundation are at higher risk. Landscaping that allows soil to contact wood siding, deck posts buried in soil, and poor drainage that keeps foundation walls wet all increase termite risk significantly.
Other risk factors include wood mulch placed against the foundation, firewood stacked near the home, tree stumps or buried wood debris, and clogged gutters that cause water to pool near the foundation. Crawl spaces with high humidity or standing water are particularly vulnerable, as are homes with earth-to-wood contact anywhere on the structure.
Carpenter ants are actually more common than termites in Northern Colorado. These large black ants don't eat wood like termites do, but they excavate galleries in wood to create their nests. The damage they cause can be just as significant as termite damage, particularly in homes with moisture issues.
Carpenter ants are attracted to damp or decaying wood, making homes with water intrusion problems particularly vulnerable. They often establish satellite colonies in wall voids, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture levels are higher. Signs of carpenter ant activity include piles of sawdust-like frass, rustling sounds in walls, and the presence of large black ants, particularly winged reproductives in spring.
Several species of wood-boring beetles are found in Colorado, including powderpost beetles, old house borers, and false powderpost beetles. These insects lay their eggs in wood, and the larvae tunnel through the wood as they develop, sometimes for years before emerging as adults. The exit holes and fine powdery frass they leave behind are often the first visible signs of infestation.
Wood-boring beetles can be introduced into homes through infested lumber or firewood. They may also attack existing structural wood if conditions are favorable. Unlike termites, some beetle species prefer hardwoods while others attack softwoods, so different parts of your home may be at risk depending on the species present.
While not insects, wood decay fungi are considered wood-destroying organisms because they cause significant damage to wooden structures. Brown rot, white rot, and soft rot fungi break down the cellulose and lignin in wood, causing it to lose strength and eventually fail structurally.
Wood decay requires moisture levels above 20% to occur, so it's most commonly found in areas with water intrusion, high humidity, or poor ventilation. Crawl spaces, basements, and areas around plumbing leaks are common locations for wood decay. A comprehensive WDO inspection includes identifying both active decay and conditions that could lead to future problems.
A termite and WDO inspection should be part of every home purchase in Northern Colorado. Even if the home appears to be in excellent condition, hidden WDO damage can be lurking behind walls, under floors, or in crawl spaces. Identifying these issues before closing gives you negotiating power and helps you avoid unexpected repair costs after purchase.
If you're purchasing a home with a VA loan, a termite inspection is typically required. The VA's Minimum Property Requirements mandate that homes be free of active termite infestation and damage. FHA loans may also require termite inspections depending on the location and the appraiser's discretion. Even if not required by your lender, a WDO inspection is a wise investment.
Homeowners should consider periodic WDO inspections every few years, particularly if you have risk factors like irrigation near the foundation, mature trees near the home, or have had previous WDO issues. Annual inspections are recommended for homes with known termite or carpenter ant history.
A pre-listing WDO inspection can help you identify and address any issues before putting your home on the market. This proactive approach allows you to make repairs on your timeline and avoid last-minute negotiations that could delay or derail your sale.
While professional inspection is the only way to definitively identify WDO activity, there are warning signs every homeowner should know. Mud tubes on foundation walls, porch supports, or in crawl spaces are a telltale sign of subterranean termites. These pencil-sized tubes provide the moist environment termites need to travel between their colony and food source.
Hollow-sounding wood when tapped, sagging floors, doors or windows that suddenly stick, and bubbling or peeling paint can all indicate hidden termite damage. Discarded wings near windows or doors in spring may indicate a termite swarm. Piles of what looks like sawdust near wood structures suggest carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles.
If you notice any of these signs, don't wait for your next scheduled inspection. Contact Quality Home Inspections immediately for a professional assessment. Early detection can save thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Quality Home Inspections provides professional termite and WDO inspection services throughout Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming. We serve homebuyers, sellers, and homeowners in Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Longmont, Berthoud, Johnstown, Wellington, Timnath, Estes Park, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Our inspectors are familiar with the specific WDO risks in each of these communities and provide thorough, detailed inspections you can trust.
Yes, Colorado has subterranean termites, particularly in areas with irrigation or moisture. While less common than in humid states, termite inspections are still important for protecting your investment.
Termites eat wood and leave mud tubes; carpenter ants excavate wood but don't eat it, leaving clean galleries and sawdust piles. Both cause structural damage and require professional treatment.
Termite/WDO inspections cost $50 when added to a home inspection, or $195 standalone. Required for VA loans. This small investment can save thousands in potential repairs.
Yes, VA loans typically require termite inspections. FHA loans may also require them depending on the area and appraiser. We provide NPMA-33 reports accepted by all lenders.
A standalone WDO inspection typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on home size and accessibility. When combined with a full home inspection, it adds minimal extra time.
If WDO activity is found, we document it thoroughly in your report. We can recommend treatment options and help you understand the extent of any damage for repair negotiations.
The NPMA-33 is the official Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Report required for VA loans. It documents evidence of WDO activity, damage, and conducive conditions. We provide same-day NPMA-33 reports.
Yes, carpenter ants are more common than termites here. They excavate wood for nesting (but don't eat it) and are attracted to moist or decaying wood in bathrooms, kitchens, and crawl spaces.
Eliminate wood-to-soil contact, keep foundations dry, use gravel instead of wood mulch, fix leaky pipes, ensure proper drainage, store firewood away from the home, and schedule regular inspections.
Crawl spaces, basement sill plates, wood posts in soil, deck supports, door/window frames near soil level, and areas near plumbing leaks are most vulnerable to WDO activity.
Ensure at least 6 inches between soil and any wood siding, trim, or structural elements. Check deck posts, fence posts, and door frames that may be in contact with soil.
Fix leaky faucets, HVAC units, and gutters. Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation. Grade soil to slope away from the home.
Use gravel or rock instead of wood mulch against the foundation. Keep plants and shrubs at least 12 inches from the home. Remove dead trees and stumps from the yard.
Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground. Never store lumber, cardboard, or paper against the foundation or in crawl spaces.
Ensure adequate ventilation to reduce moisture. Consider vapor barriers on crawl space floors. Address any standing water or high humidity immediately.
Have a professional WDO inspection every 2-3 years, or annually if you've had previous issues. Early detection prevents costly structural damage.
Drew provides thorough termite and wood-destroying organism inspections with detailed NPMA-33 reports for VA and FHA loans.
85+ Five-Star Reviews from Northern Colorado Homebuyers
"Drew found evidence of carpenter ants in the crawl space that we never would have noticed. His WDO inspection was thorough and gave us leverage to negotiate repairs before closing."
Google Review - Greeley
"Needed a termite inspection for our VA loan. Drew provided the NPMA-33 report quickly and the inspection was much more thorough than I expected. Highly recommend!"
Google Review - Fort Collins
"Professional and knowledgeable about wood-destroying organisms specific to Colorado. Drew explained what to look for and how to prevent future issues. Great service!"
Google Review - Loveland
Don't let hidden damage compromise your investment. Schedule a professional termite and WDO inspection today.