Request a Separate WDO Report
Missouri requires licensed pest management professionals to issue a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) report for mortgage transactions involving certain loan types. Even if not required for your transaction, requesting a WDO inspection from a licensed pest control company separate from the general home inspector is the highest-value pre-purchase action a buyer can take. General home inspectors are not licensed to identify termite species, assess wood damage depth, or interpret mud tube evidence — a licensed pest professional is.
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspection Checklist
Termite and Wood-Destroying Insects
- Request WDO report from a licensed Missouri pest control company, separate from general inspection
- Ask seller for documentation of prior termite treatment — type (liquid barrier or bait), company, and date
- Inspect crawlspace and basement for mud tubes on foundation walls and floor joists
- Check sill plate (lumber sitting on top of foundation wall) for soft, hollow, or discolored wood
- Look for frass (sawdust-like material) below wooden structural members — indicates carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles
- Inspect exterior door and window frames for soft spots that indicate moisture-associated wood decay
Moisture and Conducive Conditions
- Inspect crawlspace for vapor barrier coverage, condition, and signs of standing water
- Check foundation planting beds — mulch piled against the foundation creates termite conducive conditions
- Look for wood-to-soil contact at deck posts, porch columns, or exterior wood framing
- Note whether gutters and downspouts direct water away from the foundation
Rodents and Wildlife
- Inspect attic for droppings, nesting material, or gnaw marks on wiring insulation
- Check crawlspace vents — torn or missing screens indicate rodent or wildlife entry history
- Ask seller about any prior rodent service history
D&D Pest Control provides pre-purchase WDO inspections for Franklin County and rural Missouri — visit ddpestcontrolmo.com.