If you own a home in Washington, termites are not just a distant concern. They are a very real risk, especially given our region’s wet climate, wood-framed construction, and crawl space foundations.
The problem is that most homeowners do not discover termite activity until serious damage has already been done.
That is exactly why knowing the signs of termite damage matters. Catching it early can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and protect the long-term value of your home.
In this guide, we will walk you through what to look for, where termites like to hide, and what happens during a professional WDO inspection in Washington state.
Why Termites Are a Real Problem in Washington State
Washington is home to two common termite species: the western subterranean termite and the Pacific dampwood termite.
Together, they represent one of the most significant threats to wood-framed homes in the Pacific Northwest.
According to Orkin’s Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zone classifications, Washington falls in TIP Zone #3.
This means the state carries a “slight to moderate” risk of subterranean termite damage.
However, Washington’s wet winters, poorly ventilated crawl spaces, and abundance of wood-to-soil contact points push that risk noticeably higher for many local homes.
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that termites cause over $5 billion in property damage across the U.S. every year.
That’s roughly the same economic impact as fire damage. In Washington, that damage often goes undetected for months or even years.
So why is Washington especially vulnerable? Several key factors work together to create ideal conditions for termite activity:
- High annual rainfall keeps soil and wood consistently moist
- Many older homes in Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties have aging wood structures and limited crawl space ventilation
- Wood-to-soil contact is common in older construction, giving subterranean termites direct access to framing
- Dampwood termites thrive wherever leaky plumbing, poor drainage, or crawl space moisture is present
The Most Common Signs of Termite Damage in Your Home
Termites rarely reveal themselves directly. Instead, they leave behind subtle clues that most homeowners mistake for normal wear or water damage. Here are the signs you should never ignore.
1. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tap on wooden beams, flooring, or door frames. If the wood sounds hollow or papery instead of solid, termites may have eaten through the interior while leaving the surface intact. This is one of the earliest and most telling signs of termite damage.
2. Mud Tubes on Foundation Walls or Crawl Space Piers
Subterranean termites build pencil-thin mud tubes to travel between the soil and wood while staying protected from the open air. Look for these on your foundation, crawl space piers, or concrete block walls. Their presence almost always means active subterranean termite activity.
3. Frass Near Baseboards or Windowsills
Frass is termite droppings and looks like small piles of fine sawdust or coffee grounds. You will often find it near baseboards, windowsills, or wall joints. Because it accumulates below where termites are feeding, it is a reliable sign that damage is occurring above.
4. Blistering or Bubbling Paint
Paint that looks like it is bubbling or blistering from below can actually indicate termite activity rather than water damage. As termites eat through wood just beneath painted surfaces, they create air pockets and moisture buildup that push the paint outward.
5. Doors and Windows That Stick
When termites damage the wood framing around doors and windows, that wood absorbs moisture and warps. As a result, doors and windows start to stick or fit unevenly in their frames. Many homeowners blame humidity or settling, but it is always worth investigating further.
6. Discarded Wings Near Entry Points
Termite swarmers, also called alates, shed their wings after finding a new nesting site.
In Washington, western subterranean termites typically swarm in autumn, winter, or early spring, often on warm days following rainfall. Finding small piles of wings near windowsills, door frames, or light fixtures is a strong early warning sign.
7. Visible Wood Damage with a Honeycomb or Layered Pattern
When you can actually see damaged wood, look closely at the grain pattern. Termites eat along the grain and leave a honeycomb or layered appearance inside the wood. This is very different from the random splintering you would see from a physical impact.
8. Sagging Floors or Soft Spots Underfoot
If your floors feel spongy, bouncy, or have developed an unexpected dip, termite damage to the subfloor or joists below may be the cause. This is especially common in crawl space homes, which make up a significant portion of the housing stock in Thurston, Pierce, and Mason counties.
Where Termites Hide and Where to Look First
Even when you know the signs of termite damage, knowing where to look makes a big difference. Termites tend to target the same vulnerable areas in most homes, so focusing your attention here first is a smart move.
| Location | What to Look For | Risk Level in WA |
| Crawl Space | Mud tubes, frass, moisture damage, sagging joists | Very High |
| Foundation Walls | Mud tubes running vertically from soil to framing | High |
| Deck & Porch Posts | Wood-to-soil contact, soft spots, visible tunneling | High |
| Attic Framing | Hollow rafters, honeycomb wood grain, discarded wings | Moderate |
| Door & Window Frames | Sticking doors, bubbling paint, soft wood trim | Moderate |
| Garage Framing | Mud tubes near slab edges, frass below beams | Moderate |
It is worth noting that crawl space homes are especially common across Pierce, Thurston, and Mason counties.
These homes are inherently more exposed to ground moisture, making crawl space inspections one of the most important steps you can take as a Washington homeowner.
Signs of Termite Damage vs. Other Types of Wood Damage
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “How do I know if this is termite damage or just rot?” The honest answer is that it is not always easy to tell the difference without a trained eye.
That said, there are some key distinctions worth knowing.
Termite damage vs. Dry Rot
Termite-damaged wood tends to have a smooth, hollowed-out interior with a layered or honeycomb grain pattern. Dry rot causes wood to become darker, crumble easily, and break apart into cube-like chunks. Both are serious, but they point to different root causes.
Frass vs. Sawdust from Beetles or Carpenter Bees
Termite frass tends to be uniform in color and very fine in texture, almost like compressed powder. Sawdust from carpenter bees or wood-boring beetles is usually coarser and may be mixed with debris.
Mud tubes vs. Efflorescence
Both can appear on foundation walls, but they look quite different up close. Mud tubes are smooth, tan, and hollow inside. Efflorescence is white or chalky mineral buildup from water moving through concrete.
Floor Sagging from Termites vs. Structural Settling
Structural settling typically causes gradual, even changes across a large area of flooring. Termite-related sags are often more localized, concentrated near joists or beams, and accompanied by softness underfoot.
What Inspectors Look for During a WDO/Pest Inspection in Washington
A WDO inspection, short for Wood Destroying Organism inspection, goes much further than a standard home inspection.
At Boggs Inspection Services, our WDO/pest inspections are conducted by trained inspectors who know exactly what signs of termite damage and other WDO activity look like in Washington’s specific climate and construction types.
What Falls Under the WDO Category in Washington
Washington state inspectors are specifically trained to identify the following wood-destroying organisms:
- Termites (western subterranean and Pacific dampwood)
- Wood-boring beetles, including anobiids (powderpost beetles)
- Carpenter ants
- Wood decay fungi, also known as dry rot or wood rot
- Moisture ants and other organisms that indicate high-moisture conditions
The Four Zones Inspectors Examine
During a complete WDO inspection in Washington, inspectors methodically work through four key zones of the home:
- Exterior: Foundation walls, wood siding, decks, porches, and wood-to-soil contact points
- Interior: Baseboards, door and window frames, flooring, and any accessible structural wood
- Attic: Roof framing, rafters, and any visible insulation or ventilation issues that could create moisture problems
- Crawl Space: Subfloor framing, piers, vapor barriers, moisture levels, and any active or historical WDO evidence
Inspectors document both active WDO activity (live infestation) and evidence of prior activity (past damage or historical conditions).
They also flag conducive conditions. This includes things like standing moisture, poor ventilation, or wood-soil contact that create risk even without active termites present.
Washington State WDO Licensing Requirements
In Washington, WDO inspections must be completed by a licensed pest management professional regulated by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
Every WDO report requires a unique WSDA Inspection Control Number (ICN), which must be prominently displayed on the front page of the report. This number tracks the inspection to a specific property and transaction, ensuring accountability and accuracy.
Boggs Inspection Services is fully licensed to perform WDO inspections and issues complete, compliant reports that meet Washington state requirements.
Do You Need a WDO Inspection for a VA or FHA Loan?
Yes, in many cases. If you are using a VA loan to purchase a home, a pest or termite inspection is required before you can close. This is a non-negotiable step in the VA lending process, and the inspection must be completed by a licensed WDO inspector.
For FHA loans, a WDO inspection may be required depending on the lender’s guidelines or if the appraiser notes visible evidence of pest or moisture damage during the appraisal.
This is especially common for older homes or properties with visible wood damage.
Boggs Inspection Services regularly completes VA and FHA pest inspections across Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and South King counties. You can add a WDO inspection to any full home inspection, or schedule it as a standalone service if needed.
How Often Should You Schedule a Pest Inspection?
Even if your home shows no current signs of termite damage, regular inspections are one of the smartest things you can do as a Washington homeowner. Here is a simple guide for when to schedule:
- Annually: Especially if your home has a crawl space, is older, or sits near wooded areas or high-moisture soil
- After any water intrusion event: Flooding, roof leaks, or plumbing failures create the exact conditions that attract WDOs
- Before listing your home for sale: A clean WDO report builds buyer confidence and removes uncertainty from the transaction
- After purchasing a home without a prior WDO report: Do not assume the previous owners or inspector caught everything
- For log homes: Annual WDO inspections are strongly recommended, given the higher surface area of exposed wood
Boggs offers both Pre-Listing Inspections and Annual Maintenance Inspections that include or can be combined with a WDO inspection.
What Happens After Signs of Termite Damage Are Found?
Finding termite damage in your home feels alarming, but it does not have to be a crisis. Here is what the process actually looks like after an inspector flags WDO evidence.
Step 1: Understand What the Report Says
Your WDO report will distinguish between active infestation, evidence of past activity, and conducive conditions. Each requires a different response.
Active infestation needs immediate treatment. Past evidence may require repair work only, depending on the extent of damage.
Step 2: Contact a Licensed Pest Control Company
Boggs inspects and reports; we do not treat. Separating the inspection and treatment roles ensures that our findings are unbiased and that you receive an honest assessment. From there, you will want to work with a licensed pest control professional to address any active WDO activity.
Step 3: Schedule a Re-Inspection
After treatment is complete, a re-inspection confirms that the problem has been resolved and that no new activity has emerged. This step is especially important if you are selling your home or refinancing.
Related Questions
What does termite damage look like in a crawl space?
In a crawl space, termite damage typically appears as mud tubes running along piers, foundation walls, or floor joists.
Are termites common in Washington state?
Washington is home to western subterranean termites and Pacific dampwood termites, both of which are active across the state. Western Washington’s wet climate makes it particularly hospitable for dampwood termites, while subterranean termites are found statewide.
How much does a WDO inspection cost in Washington?
WDO inspection costs in Washington typically range from $100 to $300 as a standalone service, though pricing varies based on home size and location. You can often save money by adding a WDO inspection to a full home inspection.
Can a home fail inspection because of termites?
A WDO inspection does not technically pass or fail a home. Instead, it reports on what the inspector found. However, findings of active termite infestation or significant WDO damage can absolutely affect a real estate transaction, particularly for VA and FHA loans, where lender approval may hinge on a clean report.
What is the difference between a pest inspection and a WDO inspection?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but a WDO inspection is specifically focused on wood-destroying organisms, including termites, beetles, carpenter ants, and wood-decay fungi. A general pest inspection may also cover other household pests like rodents or cockroaches.
Conclusion
If you noticed any of the signs of termite damage described above, or if you simply want peace of mind about the condition of your home, Boggs Inspection Services is here to help.
You can add a WDO inspection to any home inspection package, or schedule it as a standalone service. Either way, you will receive a detailed, WSDA-compliant report that gives you a clear picture of what is happening with your home’s wood and structure.
