09-06-2025, 12:03 PM
Pest inspections use techniques like visual observation, advanced thermal imaging, moisture meters, and acoustic devices to find evidence of pests such as termites and rodents. Common findings range from easily visible signs like droppings and gnaw marks to hidden structural damage, nests, and moisture problems.
Visual inspection
A thorough, systematic visual sweep is the foundation of any pest inspection. Inspectors use tools like flashlights and magnifying glasses to check both the interior and exterior of a property for telltale signs.
Exterior: Technicians examine the foundation, siding, roofline, porches, sheds, and landscaping. They look for cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows and doors, debris piles, and standing water.
Interior: Common areas of focus include attics, basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility closets. Inspectors check behind and under appliances, inside cabinets and pantries, and along baseboards.
Moisture detection
Since many pests are attracted to or require moisture to survive, inspectors use moisture meters to locate damp areas that may signal an infestation. This helps them find potential problems hidden inside walls, under floors, or in subflooring.
Thermal imaging
Infrared (thermal) cameras are used to detect temperature differences inside walls and floors. In termite inspections, this can reveal tunnels and nests behind walls that might otherwise be invisible.
Acoustic detection
Specialized acoustic devices can pick up the faint sounds of pest activity that humans can't hear. For example, inspectors can use this technology to listen for the distinctive chewing or head-banging noises of termites inside walls.
Probing and borescopes
Inspectors may use a probe to tap wood surfaces and listen for a hollow sound that indicates interior termite damage. For hard-to-reach areas, a borescope—a flexible camera—can be inserted into small openings to visually inspect hidden spaces like wall voids without causing significant damage.
Common findings
Termites
Mud tubes: Pencil-sized, tunnel-like structures built by subterranean termites on foundations and walls to travel between their nest and a food source.
Damaged wood: Hollow-sounding wood when tapped, buckling floors, bulging walls, or peeling paint. The damage often appears as distinct grooves inside the wood.
Discarded wings: Small piles of wings shed by swarmers (flying termites) are often found near windowsills, light fixtures, and doors.
Frass: Pellets of termite excrement, which resemble sawdust, are a common sign of a drywood termite infestation.
Rodents
Droppings and urine: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings are a clear indicator of rodent activity. A strong, musky or ammonia-like odor often accompanies an infestation.
Gnaw marks: Chewed electrical wires, food packaging, furniture, and baseboards show rodents' need to constantly gnaw to keep their teeth in check.
Nests: Rodents use shredded paper, fabric, and insulation to build nests in dark, hidden areas like attics, basements, and behind appliances.
Grease marks: Oily rub marks appear along walls and baseboards from the rodents’ oily fur as they travel along the same path.
Tracks and runways: Footprints and tail marks can be found in dusty or muddy areas along their travel paths.
Other pests
Cockroaches and ants: These pests are often found in areas with food and moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Signs include droppings, shed skins, and visible trails.
Carpenter ants: While they don't eat wood, they tunnel through it to create nests, leaving behind small piles of sawdust-like wood shavings.
Moisture issues: Poor drainage, roof leaks, or faulty plumbing can create damp conditions that attract pests. Inspectors will note these "conducive conditions" even if no pests are found.
Visual inspection
A thorough, systematic visual sweep is the foundation of any pest inspection. Inspectors use tools like flashlights and magnifying glasses to check both the interior and exterior of a property for telltale signs.
Exterior: Technicians examine the foundation, siding, roofline, porches, sheds, and landscaping. They look for cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows and doors, debris piles, and standing water.
Interior: Common areas of focus include attics, basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility closets. Inspectors check behind and under appliances, inside cabinets and pantries, and along baseboards.
Moisture detection
Since many pests are attracted to or require moisture to survive, inspectors use moisture meters to locate damp areas that may signal an infestation. This helps them find potential problems hidden inside walls, under floors, or in subflooring.
Thermal imaging
Infrared (thermal) cameras are used to detect temperature differences inside walls and floors. In termite inspections, this can reveal tunnels and nests behind walls that might otherwise be invisible.
Acoustic detection
Specialized acoustic devices can pick up the faint sounds of pest activity that humans can't hear. For example, inspectors can use this technology to listen for the distinctive chewing or head-banging noises of termites inside walls.
Probing and borescopes
Inspectors may use a probe to tap wood surfaces and listen for a hollow sound that indicates interior termite damage. For hard-to-reach areas, a borescope—a flexible camera—can be inserted into small openings to visually inspect hidden spaces like wall voids without causing significant damage.
Common findings
Termites
Mud tubes: Pencil-sized, tunnel-like structures built by subterranean termites on foundations and walls to travel between their nest and a food source.
Damaged wood: Hollow-sounding wood when tapped, buckling floors, bulging walls, or peeling paint. The damage often appears as distinct grooves inside the wood.
Discarded wings: Small piles of wings shed by swarmers (flying termites) are often found near windowsills, light fixtures, and doors.
Frass: Pellets of termite excrement, which resemble sawdust, are a common sign of a drywood termite infestation.
Rodents
Droppings and urine: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings are a clear indicator of rodent activity. A strong, musky or ammonia-like odor often accompanies an infestation.
Gnaw marks: Chewed electrical wires, food packaging, furniture, and baseboards show rodents' need to constantly gnaw to keep their teeth in check.
Nests: Rodents use shredded paper, fabric, and insulation to build nests in dark, hidden areas like attics, basements, and behind appliances.
Grease marks: Oily rub marks appear along walls and baseboards from the rodents’ oily fur as they travel along the same path.
Tracks and runways: Footprints and tail marks can be found in dusty or muddy areas along their travel paths.
Other pests
Cockroaches and ants: These pests are often found in areas with food and moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Signs include droppings, shed skins, and visible trails.
Carpenter ants: While they don't eat wood, they tunnel through it to create nests, leaving behind small piles of sawdust-like wood shavings.
Moisture issues: Poor drainage, roof leaks, or faulty plumbing can create damp conditions that attract pests. Inspectors will note these "conducive conditions" even if no pests are found.
