A WDI inspection looks for all wood-destroying insects -- not just termites. The inspector checks for four groups: termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-boring beetles. You don't have to be buying or selling to benefit from one -- any homeowner in Cheverly's older housing stock has good reason to know what's in their walls and under their floors. VA loans require a WDI inspection before closing; most other loans don't -- but buyers are smart to order one regardless. Evidence of past activity matters as much as live bugs. As a seller, understanding what's on that report -- and what it means -- can save you from a last-minute negotiation you weren't expecting. If you've ever had treatment, keep the paperwork with your other important household documents. Proof of treatment can save you money when you sell. Reports often note past damage and prior treatment in general terms -- and when the language is vague, a buyer or lender may come back asking for documentation. Having it ready is the difference between a quick answer and a delayed closing.
What Is a WDI Inspection?
WDI stands for wood-destroying insects. A licensed pest control inspector examines the accessible parts of your home -- inside and out -- and produces an official report on what they find. In Maryland, this report follows a standard state form.
You don't have to be in a real estate transaction to order one. Any homeowner who wants to know the current condition of their home -- or who has seen signs of insect activity and wants a professional assessment -- can call a licensed pest control company and request one. It typically costs $75$125 and takes less than an hour.
In a transaction, VA loans require a WDI inspection before closing. Conventional and FHA loans generally don't, though an individual lender can ask for it. Wood damage is also one of the few things a general home inspector is not licensed to report on in full -- which is another reason buyers are wise to order one even when it isn't required.
The WDI inspector is looking for three things: live insects, evidence of past activity, and damage to wood. Any of those three can show up on the report -- and any of them is worth knowing about, whether you're selling next year or not going anywhere for a decade.
The Four Groups You Need to Know
Most people say "termites" when they mean "WDI." Termites are the big one -- but they share the report with three other groups that can cause real problems in a Cheverly home.
What Does "Evidence of Previous Infestation" Mean?
This phrase trips up a lot of sellers -- and buyers. It does not mean there are active bugs in the house right now. It means the inspector found signs that one of the WDI groups was present at some point in the past. Old mud tubes. Healed-over exit holes. Wood that shows feeding channels but no live insects.
Previous activity is extremely common in Cheverly's pre-1960 housing stock. These homes have decades of history. The question that actually matters is: was it treated, and is the damage structurally significant?
Here's the catch: WDI reports often note past damage and prior treatment in general terms. The language can be vague -- something like "evidence of previous subterranean termite activity; evidence of prior treatment." That's technically complete, but it doesn't tell a buyer or their lender much. When the report is unclear, they will ask for more. Treatment invoices, a pest control bond, annual inspection records -- that paperwork is what turns a vague line on a report into a closed question. Without it, you're back in a conversation you thought was over.
If you have old records from a pest control company -- invoices, inspection reports, a bond -- keep them with your other important household documents. They're worth real money at the negotiating table.
You don't have to wait for a contract to get a WDI inspection. If you've never had one -- or it's been several years -- ordering one now tells you what's there before it becomes someone else's negotiating point. It also gives you time to treat on your own terms, at your own pace, without a closing deadline driving the decision.
What the Inspector Actually Does
The inspector walks the accessible areas of the structure. That means the basement, crawl space (if they can get in), garage, ground-floor exterior perimeter, and attic if accessible. They're looking at foundation walls, sill plates, floor joists, window frames, door frames, and any wood that's close to the ground or to a water source.
They are not required to move furniture, pull up flooring, or open walls. That's an important limitation. The report reflects what was visible on the day of the inspection. A clean report doesn't guarantee there's nothing behind the drywall -- it means nothing was found in accessible areas.
The whole inspection usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. The report follows a standard Maryland format and goes to whoever ordered it -- typically the buyer's agent in a contract situation.
Damage vs. Infestation -- Two Different Things
The WDI report flags insects. It does not assess the extent of the structural damage those insects may have caused. That's a separate conversation -- often with a structural engineer or a contractor -- and it's one buyers sometimes skip.
A line on a WDI report that says "visible damage -- subterranean termites" tells you something happened. It doesn't tell you whether that damage is cosmetic or whether a floor joist is compromised. If you see damage noted, the next step is a closer look by someone qualified to evaluate it.
Treatment Options When Something Shows Up
Not all findings require the same response. Here's a rough guide to what you'll hear from a pest control company after a positive report.
Liquid soil treatment (termiticide barrier). The most common treatment for subterranean termites. A licensed applicator treats the soil around the foundation to create a chemical barrier. Usually takes a few hours and carries a one-year warranty, with annual renewals available.
Bait stations. An alternative to liquid treatment. Stations are installed in the ground around the perimeter and monitored periodically. Slower to act but less disruptive. A good option for homes with gardens or landscaping close to the foundation.
Fumigation. Rarely needed in Maryland for subterranean termites, but sometimes used for drywood termites or severe beetle infestations. The home is tented and treated with gas. It's disruptive and expensive, but it covers the whole structure.
Spot treatment. For carpenter bees or isolated beetle activity in a defined area, spot treatment with an appropriate product is often all that's needed. Fill and paint the holes afterward -- that seals the entry point and removes the appeal for future bees.
Multiple findings on one report aren't unusual in older housing stock. A recent Cheverly closing required treatment for three separate findings -- subterranean termites, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees -- at a combined cost of $1,000. That's a useful benchmark for anyone thinking about what a multi-item treatment might run.
One more thing to know: homeowner's insurance doesn't cover WDI treatment or the damage insects cause. Insurers treat infestation as a maintenance issue -- slow-developing and preventable -- which puts it outside standard covered perils. That makes a termite bond more valuable than many homeowners realize. A basic bond covers retreatment if termites return. A repair bond goes further and covers structural damage up to a stated limit. If you have an active bond -- especially a repair bond -- disclose it. It's a genuine selling point.
Maryland contracts allow buyers to request treatment as a condition of settlement. Sellers can agree, negotiate a credit, or decline. For VA loans, an unaddressed WDI finding can stop the loan from closing -- VA guidelines require a clean report or documented treatment. For conventional and FHA buyers, the lender may or may not weigh in, but an active infestation is still a negotiating reality regardless of loan type.
The Landscape Is Shifting
The bugs that have always been here aren't going away. But climate change is making them more active -- and bringing new ones north.
The Eastern subterranean termite is still the dominant species in Maryland, and it always will be. But warmer winters mean termite colonies survive in larger numbers and forage for longer into the year. A colony that used to slow down in November is now still active into December. That's more feeding time, more damage potential, more pressure on older wood.
The bigger news is what's arriving from the south. Formosan subterranean termites -- an invasive species originally from East Asia that established itself in Gulf Coast port cities after World War II -- have now been confirmed in Norfolk, Virginia. That's less than 200 miles from Cheverly. Formosan colonies can number in the millions, compared to the hundreds of thousands typical of native subterraneans. They are faster to establish and far more destructive. Norfolk sits in a climate zone similar to Savannah, Georgia, where Formosans are well established -- and as winters in our region continue to moderate, the conditions that kept this species out are weakening.
Carpenter ants are also increasing across the mid-Atlantic. Pest professionals in the region have noted more pressure over the past decade, which tracks with climate trends: milder winters, more moisture events, and longer warm seasons all favor them.
None of this means the WDI inspection is suddenly a horror show. It means the standard advice -- treat once and forget it -- is less sound than it used to be. An annual monitoring agreement isn't just a pest company upsell. It's reasonable risk management for a home that's going to be here for another 60 years.
Why This Matters More in Cheverly
Cheverly was built almost entirely between the late 1930s and 1960. That means the homes here have exposed wood that's been in contact with soil and moisture for 60 to 80 years. The brick construction protects the exterior walls -- but the floor systems, sill plates, porch framing, and older additions are all vulnerable.
Add in the mature tree canopy -- which is one of Cheverly's best features -- and you have an environment that carpenter ants genuinely love. Leaf litter, moisture, soft wood at ground level. WDI findings are common here. They're not a red flag by themselves. Context and treatment history are what matter.
Whether you're planning to sell, thinking about buying, or just want to know what's going on in the bones of your home -- the WDI inspection is worth understanding. These bugs don't announce themselves. By the time you see the signs, they've usually been there a while. If you have questions about what a finding means, what treatment costs, or what to expect in a Cheverly transaction, I'm happy to talk it through.
Susan Pruden
REALTOR® · CENTURY 21 New Millennium
(301) 980-9409 · Susan@SusanPruden.com
