Most real estate agents aren’t hiding anything about termite reports. They simply aren’t pest professionals, and the fine print on a termite report rarely comes up before closing. Zip Zap Pest, a Lawson company led by a Board-Certified Entomologist, performs these inspections for Northland buyers and sellers. The same misunderstandings come up regularly. Below are five things buyers should know before relying on a termite report, followed by five local companies that perform them.

A termite report is the written result of a wood destroying insect (WDI) inspection. That is a visual check for termites, carpenter ants and other insects that damage structural wood. In real estate transactions, results are usually recorded on the NPMA-33, the standard WDI inspection form developed by the National Pest Management Association.

What should buyers know about termite reports?

1. Does a clean report mean there are no termites?

No. A clean report means the inspector found no visible evidence of wood destroying insects in the areas that could be accessed that day. The NPMA-33 includes a section listing obstructed or inaccessible areas. Common examples include:

  • finished basement walls
  • floors covered by carpet or tile
  • attics with deep insulation
  • crawl spaces too tight to enter
  • walls blocked by stored belongings

Termites can be active behind any of those. Read that section of the report as closely as the findings themselves. In older Northland homes with additions or finished lower levels, it can cover a large part of the house.

2. How long is a termite report good for?

A termite report only reflects the condition of the property on the day of the inspection. It isn’t a warranty or a guarantee against future activity. Lenders that require a WDI report generally want a recent one. A report that’s many months old may not be accepted, and it may not reflect what’s happening now. A spring swarm season can pass between an old inspection and your closing date. If the seller hands you a report from last year, consider ordering a new one.

3. What does “evidence of previous treatment” actually mean?

It means the inspector saw signs that the home was treated for termites at some point. Examples include drilled and patched holes in a slab or garage floor, or bait stations in the yard. It doesn’t tell you whether the treatment worked, when it was done or whether any protection remains. Ask the seller for the treatment records. Also ask whether a termite warranty, sometimes called a bond, is active and can be transferred to you. Liquid treatments break down in soil over time, and bait systems only work while someone services them.

4. Does the report tell me how bad the damage is?

No. A WDI inspector records visible damage but doesn’t evaluate whether the structure is sound. The NPMA-33 itself states that it isn’t a structural damage report. If the report notes damage to joists, sill plates or other framing, have a qualified contractor or structural engineer assess it. Do that before your inspection period ends, while you still have room to negotiate repairs, treatment or a price adjustment.

5. Should the buyer or the seller order the inspection?

Buyers generally benefit from hiring their own inspector. A seller-provided report may be old, and it may have been limited in scope. It also came from someone whose client wasn’t you. In Missouri, commercial pesticide applicators are licensed through the Missouri Department of Agriculture, so ask any inspector to confirm licensing. Schedule the inspection early in the contract period so you have time to act on what it finds.

Who performs termite inspections for Northland home sales?

1. Kansas city pest control (ZipZap Termite & Pest Control), Lawson

Zip Zap Pest is a third-generation, family-owned company. It is led by Jeff Preece, a Board-Certified Entomologist with more than 40 years in the pest control industry and a Public Health Entomology Certificate. The company holds QualityPro certification through the National Pest Management Association.

For buyers and sellers, Zip Zap Pest offers termite inspections, treatment and ongoing monitoring. Year-round bundle plans can also cover rodents, ants and other pests once you move in. The company serves Lawson, Kearney, Liberty, Excelsior Springs, Smithville, Plattsburg, Cameron and rural properties across the Northland.

2. Spray Away Inc

Spray Away Inc is located near Plattsburg and offers pest control services.

3. D E Pangborn Termite Specialists

D E Pangborn Termite Specialists is based in Richmond and provides termite services.

4. Heartland Pest and Termite Control

Heartland Pest and Termite Control operates in the Kansas City Northland and offers pest and termite services.

5. ClearDefense Pest Control

ClearDefense Pest Control has a Kansas City location and provides pest control services.

Reading Between the Lines of a Termite Report

A termite report is useful, but it has limits. It covers what was visible on one day, says little about past treatments, and doesn’t measure structural damage. Before you rely on one, check these things:

  • the inaccessible areas section
  • the report’s date
  • the treatment records

Order your own inspection early in the contract, so any problems come to light while you still have options.