If you are buying a home in Florida, you have probably heard the term WDO inspection. It stands for Wood-Destroying Organisms, and in our state it is one of the most important inspections you can get. Florida’s warm, humid climate is close to ideal for the pests that quietly eat away at homes, and by the time the damage is obvious, it is often extensive and expensive.
Here is what a WDO inspection actually is, how we inspect for it, and the key difference between the two termites you are most likely to encounter.
What a WDO inspection covers
A WDO inspection is a focused look for evidence of organisms that damage wood, primarily termites, but also other insects such as wood-boring beetles. It is separate from a standard home inspection and in some cases required by lenders and insurance companies before a sale can close.
During a WDO inspection, we are looking for both active infestations and the damage or warning signs left behind by past activity. That means checking the areas where these organisms are most likely to be found and most likely to do harm.
How we inspect for it
A thorough WDO inspection is hands-on and detailed. We examine the accessible areas of the home where wood-destroying organisms tend to show up, including the exterior, the foundation and any areas where soil meets the structure, the attic and framing, window and door frames, baseboards, garages, and any crawl spaces.
We are looking for the specific evidence each organism leaves behind. That includes mud tubes running along the foundation, frass, which is the pellet-like droppings drywood termites push out of the wood, small holes in wood surfaces, discarded wings near windows and light fixtures, and wood that sounds hollow or looks blistered when checked. We also look for the conditions that invite these pests in the first place, such as moisture problems, wood-to-soil contact, and areas of standing water around the home.
The goal is not just to find an active problem, but to catch the early warning signs and the conditions that could lead to one, so you know exactly what you are dealing with before you buy.
Drywood vs. subterranean termites: the key difference
Florida is home to both of the main termite types that damage houses, and they behave very differently. Knowing the difference matters, because the signs, the damage, and the treatment are not the same.
Subterranean termites live underground and need constant contact with soil and moisture to survive. To reach the wood in your home, they build thin “mud tubes” out of soil and saliva, which you can often spot running along foundation walls, concrete piers, or floor joints. They live in very large colonies and are considered the most destructive termite type, capable of causing serious structural damage. The most reliable sign of them is those mud tubes, along with discarded wings after they swarm.
Drywood termites do not need soil at all. They live entirely inside the wood they are eating, which means they can turn up in places subterranean termites cannot reach, like attic framing, window trim, door frames, and even wood furniture. Because they need no contact with the ground, they infest a home through the air. Their signature calling card is frass, tiny hard pellets that look like sawdust or coffee grounds, which they push out of small “kickout holes” and which collect in little piles below the infested wood. Their colonies are smaller and damage builds more slowly, but that also means an infestation can go unnoticed for years.
The short version: if it builds mud tubes from the ground, it is likely subterranean. If it leaves little piles of sawdust-like pellets around window sills and framing, it is likely drywood. Correctly identifying which one is present matters, because the two require completely different treatment approaches, and a wrong guess just gives the termites more time.
Why it matters in Florida
Termite damage costs American homeowners a fortune every year, and much of that damage goes undetected until it is severe. In Florida, both termite types are active year-round, so this is not a seasonal concern. A home can look perfectly sound and still have activity hidden inside the walls, the attic, or beneath the surface.
That is exactly why a WDO inspection is worth it, especially on one of the largest purchases you will ever make. Finding an issue before you close means it can be addressed on the right terms, rather than becoming a costly surprise after the home is yours.
If you are buying, selling, or simply want peace of mind about your current home, schedule a WDO inspection to give yourself a clear picture of what is really going on in the wood that holds your home together.