Primary entity: Pest inspection · Parent: Diagnostic pest control
Published · Updated
A pest inspection is forensic work compressed into 45 to 90 minutes. The inspector is not looking for pests — they are looking for the traces pests leave when nobody is watching. The tools, the sequence, and the report structure all exist to convert those traces into a written conclusion.
Entity
What they bring to the visit
Exterior perimeter
Full 360° walk of the foundation, roofline, and 3-foot zone.
Why it matters: 70% of pest entry paths originate outside; entry points are easier to see from outside in.
Crawlspace or basement
Sill plates, piers, plumbing penetrations, sub-slab HVAC lines.
Why it matters: Highest-yield inspection zone for termites, rodents, and moisture-driven pests.
Interior harborage zones
Kitchen under-cabinet, laundry, water heater closet, master bathroom.
Why it matters: Water + darkness + food or fabric is the fingerprint pattern of most household infestations.
Attic
Insulation for rodent tunneling, roofline for wildlife entry, ventilation for moisture.
Why it matters: Attic evidence often reveals what wall voids conceal.
Monitor placement
Passive sticky monitors and interceptor cups left for 7–30 days.
Why it matters: Static evidence — captures what a single walk-through cannot.
What is the reason for the inspection?
If: You are buying or refinancing a home
You need a WDIR (Wood Destroying Insect Report) from a licensed inspector — often required by the lender.
Book at least 10 days before closing.
If: You suspect an active infestation
You need a diagnostic inspection tied to a treatment estimate.
Many companies apply the inspection fee toward the first treatment.
If: You have a service contract already
Your recurring visit already includes re-inspection; no separate booking needed.
Ask your technician for the last inspection notes.
If: You want a baseline for a new home
A general condition report is sufficient — no WDIR needed.
Schedule in fall or spring when swarmer activity peaks.
Standard single-family home: 45–75 minutes. Crawlspace-equipped or 3,500+ sq ft: 75–120 minutes. Real-estate WDIR: typically 60 minutes.
Diagnostic inspection: $75–$200 (often credited toward treatment). WDIR real-estate report: $75–$150. Canine bed-bug inspection: $200–$450.
No. The inspection produces a written finding; treatment is quoted separately. This separation protects you — a technician paid to find problems and paid more for treating them has a conflict of interest.
That is the ideal outcome and worth the fee. You get a baseline report, monitor placements, and documentation that establishes the property's condition on that date.
Ready when you are
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