What Is a WDO Inspection?

Published by Amy Hyers on March 21st, 2026

Are you looking to buy a home but are concerned about what creepy crawlies might be hiding in the shadows or attic? Have you heard horror stories of new homeowners discovering their home is infested with termites? If so, you are probably wondering if your new home needs a WDO Inspection. To help you sort out those pesky questions we sat down with FBI Group’s WDO Inspection expert, Shane Raburn, to hear all about what WDO inspections are.

WDO stands for Wood Destroying Organisms. A WDO Inspection is sometimes called a termite inspection but includes more than just termites. It is an inspection that examines a house for wood-destroying organisms such as termites, wood-boring beetles, powderpost beetles, old house borers, and wood-decaying fungi, just to name a few.

A substantial difference between a WDO inspection from your typical home inspection is that during a WDO, your inspector is specifically looking for wood-destroying organisms and will investigate further if they find any evidence suggesting there is a problem. If the inspector finds any, they are required to investigate it further and document if live wood destroying organisms are present, the evidence, and what kind of damage is there. On the other hand, a home inspector who is not licensed or trained in WDO inspections will note any damage and insects found and move on, not calling it out as WDO activity or damage.

Live WDOs

Live WDOs are one of the things your inspector will be looking for during a WDO inspection, and it is just what it sounds like – live wood-destroying insects or wood-decaying fungi. The wood-destroying insects your inspector will be on the lookout for are subterranean termites, drywood termites, wood-boring beetles, old house borers, and powderpost beetles.

Some wood-destroying insects breed, cause damage to wood, and then leave to start the same cycle again somewhere else. The powderpost beetle and old house borers can reinfest seasoned wood, going back into the wood they previously inhabited continuing to create more damage, like termites. Wood-decaying fungi are also a part of the wood-destroying organisms your inspector will be searching for, which grow when wood gets wet and fungi form, eating away at the wood.

Finding live WDOs during a WDO inspection is the holy grail of findings. Live WDOs clearly indicate that yes, they are here, and they are a problem that needs to be addressed. If any live WDOs were seen the specific name of the WDO and the location of where it was found will be documented.

Evidence of WDOs

Evidence of WDOs indicate that WDOs have been active in the area and are tell-tale signs of their presence. Some examples of evidence your inspector might see include wings or other insect parts found, frass (which is dry wood termite poop), and shelter tubes and exit holes for subterranean termites.During your WDO Inspection, your inspector will be checking all the accessible wood and surfaces to see if any evidence is there pointing to WDOs. It is important to note that all accessible areas will be inspected, but some areas might be inaccessible due to furniture, clothes in closets, or insulation.

Damage from WDOs

The last thing documented during a WDO inspection is any damage that may have been caused. Damage from WDOs is documented separately from evidence. This damage could appear as degrading or deteriorating wood from termites or another wood-destroying organism eating away at the wood. Holes in wood can also be damage caused by WDOs and your inspector will document them appropriately in the report. If damage is found, your inspector is required to probe the area to try and see the extent of damage that has occurred and if any live insects are around the area.

Not a guarantee

In Florida, it is always termite season. If a house does not have wood-destroying organisms currently, the question is not if the house will get them but when? A clear WDO inspection is not a guarantee that the house is 100% WDO-free. Some houses and areas are more prone to wood-destroying organism activity. For example, a 100-year-old wood frame house most likely has termites or had them in the past. It is important to read your WDO report carefully to ensure you have all the information to understand your home’s status.

Negotiating power or peace of mind

Each year more damage is created by termites than fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes combined in the U.S. Your WDO inspection will provide you with a lot of information regarding what, if any, WDO activity is taking place in your new home. With this information, you will have the negotiating power you need to ensure your new home is just as you want it or the peace of mind that currently, there was not any activity of wood-destroying organisms observed in your home. If you are in Central or Southwest Florida and ready to schedule your home inspection and WDO inspection, give us a call today at (813) 409 – 3249!

Don’t Let Hidden WDO Damage Surprise You

Buying a home? Get a clearer picture of its condition with a WDO inspection from FBI Group. We’ll check accessible areas for wood-destroying organisms, evidence of activity, and damage—so you can make a more informed decision before closing.

Schedule your WDO inspection today!