Home buyer's guide for wood destroying insect information report (WDIR)

Questions concerning the WDIR in general or with regards to a specific inspection should be addressed to the Structural Pest Control Division of the North Carolina Department of Agricul¬ ture & Consumer Services. North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Structural Pest Control Division 1090 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1090 Telephone: 919-733-6100 Facsimile: 919-733-0633 http://www.ncaar.Qov/SPCAP/ structural A Home Buyer's Guide for Wood Destroying Insect Information Report (WDIR] A CONSUMER INFORMATION BULLETIN OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES Steve Troxler, Commissioner The North Carolina Official Wood- Destroying Insect Information Report (Form No. WDIR 100), adopted by the Structural Pest Control Committee, is used for reporting the presence or absence of wood- destroying insects and their evidence in structures for sale. To issue this report an individual must be licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Structural Pest Control Division or work for someone who is licensed to perform structural pest control work. It is the only form that is legal for this purpose and is required on almost every residential structure sold. Therefore, it is especially important that homebuyers, lenders and other interested individuals understand the scope and limitations of this form. How is the inspection performed and what is inspected? By law, an inspection for wood- destroying insects and their evidence is the careful visual examination of all accessible areas of a building and the sounding of accessible structural members adjacent to slab areas in contact with masonry walls and other areas particularly susceptible to attack by wood-destroying insects. Evidence includes both present and past activity of wood- destroying insects visible in, on or under a structure, or in or on debris, under the structure. Permanently attached decks, porches, storage sheds, etc. are included in these inspections. Outbuildings or other detached structures are not routinely inspected unless specifically requested by the client. In order for the inspection to be completed correctly, the pest control operator (PCO) must have access to all interior and exterior areas of the structure to be inspected. Paragraphs I through 4 of the "Conditions Governing This Report" on the reverse side of the form, will discuss the extent of the inspection performed. Be familiar with these conditions. The PCO must indicate areas of the structure that were inaccessible at the time of his inspection. Obviously, inaccessible areas, such as inside walls, beneath carpet or other floor coverings, etc., will not be listed separately. An inspection of inaccessible areas may necessitate the removal of walls and to provide access, which an additional fee may be charged. What will be reported? The WDIR is issued for informational purposes and is required to reveal information concerning evidence of wood- destroying insects only. The PCO must report all visible evidence of wood- destroying insects and any conditions conducive to subterranean termites. The WDIR is not a warranty as to the absence of wood-destroying insects; it is a report of the visible presence or absence of wood- destroying insects at the time of the inspection. Though sometimes referred to as a clearance letter or a termite letter, it is not a "clearance letter," in that it does not necessarily clear a structure; and it is not a "termite letter," in that it addresses more than just termites. Insects commonly noted on the WDIR include subterranean termites, powder post beetles, old house borers, carpenter ants and sometimes carpenter bees. Other, less common insects may also be reported. "Conditions conducive to subterranean termites" must also be reported. At a minimum, wood making direct soil contact, cellulose debris under a structure, and excessively wet wood (wood moisture content of 20% or greater) in the crawl space, or other areas of the structure, must be reported as conditions conducive to subterranean termites. The presence of wood-decay fungi may be listed as a condition conducive to subterranean termites. Other conditions that may be conducive to termites include insufficient