carpenter bees
Carpenter bees
The Charlotte Home Inspectors find many carpenter bees in homes they are inspecting. Carpenter bees look like bumble bees, but they do not have any yellow hairs on their abdomen. The carpenter bee will make a half inch round hole in wood at the roof line, deck, siding or trim. If carpenter bees are in your home in Charlotte, Concord, Mooresville, Monroe, Mint Hill, Huntersville or surruonding areas call us today at 704-545-2847
This photo of a carpenter bee at the hole it drilled came from pestcontrolrx.com . Many people think that they are bumble Bees. You can see the yellow hair thorax but know yellow hair on the abdamen. If it was a bumble bee it would have this yellow hair on the abdomen. For control call Home Spectors at 704-502-2022
The carpenter bees come out in the spring, and this is when the home owner, or the home inspector starts to see the holes and the sawdust they leave behind. The pest control for carpenter bees is not so easy. The first thing you need to do is find the hole to treat this pest. The carpenter bee does not like painted surfaces but will chew through paint if it has too. The carpenter bee will drill a perfect half inch hole and then make a 90 degree turn in the wood. Then sometimes the carpenter bee will drill over a foot in the wood. The carpenter bee will go out and get nectar then go back to the home and make a pollen ball and lay their egg. Then she will go and chew wood back at the other side of the hole and take the sawdust and wall in the pollen ball and egg. She will repeat this many times. When the last egg is laid, most of the time it will be the first one to emerge out of the hole. Sometimes the carpenter bee will just chew their way out causing more damage for the pest inspector to find. For pest control in the Charlotte NC area call us at 704-545-2847.
The termite inspector should put carpenter bees on his inspection if he sees the carpenter bee or their damage. Many people say I need a termite inspection or a termite letter but it is actually a wood-destroying insect report.
North Carolina has a guide for the home buyer. It can be seen at http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/structural/pubs/wdir.htm
This is what is mainly says:
This is the North Carolina Official Wood-Destroying Insect Information Report AKA (Form No. WDIR 100), adopted by the Structural Pest Control Committee, is used for reporting the presence or absence of wood-destroying insects and their evidence in structures for sale. To issue this report an individual must be licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Structural Pest Control Division or work for someone who is licensed to perform structural pest control work. It is the only form that is legal for this purpose and is required on almost every residential structure sold. Therefore, it is especially important that homebuyers, lenders and other interested individuals understand the scope and limitations of this form.
How is the inspection performed and what is inspected?
By law, an inspection for wood-destroying insects and their evidence is the careful visual examination of all accessible areas of a building and the sounding of accessible structural members adjacent to slab areas in contact with masonry walls and other areas particularly susceptible to attack by wood-destroying insects. Evidence includes both present and past activity of wood-destroying insects visible in, on or under a structure, or in or on debris under the structure. Permanently attached decks, porches, storage sheds, etc. are included in these inspections. Outbuildings or other detached structures are not routinely inspected unless specifically requested by the client. In order for the inspection to be completed correctly, the pest control operator (PCO) must have access to all interior and exterior areas of the structure to be inspected.
What will be reported?
The WDIR is issued for informational purposes and is required to reveal information concerning evidence of wood-destroying insects only. The PCO must report all visible evidence of wood-destroying insects and any conditions conducive to subterranean termites. The WDIR is not a warranty as to the absence of wood-destroying insects; it is a report of the visible presence or absence of wood-destroying insects at the time of the inspection.
Though sometimes referred to as a clearance letter or a termite letter, it is not a "clearance letter," in that it does not necessarily clear a structure; and it is not a "termite letter," in that it addresses more than just termites. Insects commonly noted on the WDIR include subterranean termites, powder post beetles, old house borers, carpenter ants and sometimes carpenter bees. Other, less common insects may also be reported. "Conditions conducive to subterranean termites" must also be reported. At a minimum, wood making direct soil contacts, cellulose debris under a structure and excessively wet wood (wood moisture content of 20% or greater than) in the crawl space or other areas of the structure must be reported as conditions conducive to subterranean termites. The presence of wood-decay fungi may be listed as a condition conducive to subterranean termites. Other conditions that may be conducive to termites include insufficient clearance between wood members and the soil, excessive moisture in the crawl space, construction flaws or improper grading. The PCO must evaluate these and other conditions individually for each property inspected. Termites are very capable of finding the only possible entry point into a structure. They need only a 1/32 of an inch crack in a mortar joint or concrete expansion joint to enter a structure. They build earthen shelter tubes to reach the wood from the ground where they live. Termites can infest finished floors covered by vinyl flooring or carpeting, interior walls, and other areas that cannot be seen during a PCOs inspection. Furthermore, research has shown that termites can build tubes at the rate of approximately two and one-half inches per hour. Therefore, it is possible for termites to show up shortly after the structure has been inspected. This is also true when talking about old house borers. An inspection of the structure may not show evidence at the time of the inspection. However, depending on the age of structure they can become active after an inspection was performed.
What conditions are not reported?
The PCO is not required to report the presence of damage or the extent of any damage. However, if the WDIR indicates that wood-destroying insects and their evidence are in the wooden members, it must be assumed there is some damage. The WDIR is not a structural damage report. Such evaluations should be left to a structural engineer, contractor or other building expert. The WDIR will not reveal the presence of or damage by wood-decay fungi (wood rot) or wildlife. Though the PCO may be the only individual who goes beneath or in the attic of the structure, he is not responsible for reporting everything that may be wrong with the structure. Structural and electrical defects and plumbing and roof leaks are not his area of expertise, except as the latter may cause conditions conducive to termites. Home inspectors or other contractors must be called to determine the integrity of these building elements. The PCO is not responsible for any evidence that may had been inaccessible at the time of the inspection. Buyers should take note of the areas listed on the form as inaccessible.
What happens if evidence of wood-destroying insects is found?
When a PCO finds evidence of wood-destroying insects (such as termite tubes or cast wings, damage or exit holes from wood-boring beetles etc.) he must report its presence and specific location on the WDIR. The report must clearly indicate whether or not the insects have been or are in the wooden members. If no evidence of treatment exists in the case of subterranean termites, the PCO may submit a bid to treat the structure. However, this is secondary to the object of the report, i.e., to report the infestation. His job is to tell you or your (his) client that the wood-destroying insect infestation is present. His obligation is then fulfilled. It is up to the seller or buyer to contract for a treatment if necessary. If a treatment is performed, a copy of the written agreement and warranty, if any, must be attached to the WDIR. Treatment options vary depending on the insect found the extent of the infestation, whether a previous treatment has been performed and whether or not a warranty is desired. Powder post beetle, old house borer and other wood-boring beetle infestations can be treated by an application of a liquid insecticide to the surface of infested timbers, by controlling excessive moisture in the timbers or by fumigating the entire structure (rarely recommended). Prior treatments for these insects are difficult or impossible to establish. Subterranean termites are typically dealt with by applications of liquid pesticides to the soil and voids in masonry foundations, denying the termites access to the structure, or by the installation of termite bait systems. A liquid treatment may be a complete treatment or a spot treatment. If a prior treatment has been performed or if a warranty is not desired, a spot treatment may be satisfactory. However, if the termite infestation is widespread or a warranty is required, a complete treatment of the structure is usually recommended. Termite baits have the advantage of requiring much less pesticide and work by eliminating or suppressing the termite colony itself. They may, however, take longer to control the infestation and require the payment of quarterly or annual fees to maintain the protection plan. The buyer and seller should discuss these options and agree on a treatment plan before the treatment is performed.
What should be done if the wood-destroying insects have reached the wood?
If the WDIR indicates the wood-destroying insects are in the wooden members, it must be assumed there is some damage. Ordinarily, a PCO is neither prepared nor qualified to evaluate the extent of damage to a structure. A building expert should make the necessary repairs. The repair invoice may be attached to the WDIR. A PCO should not be expected or required to be a quality control inspector for carpenters, plumbers, etc. This is not his area of expertise or the purpose of the WDIR. Furthermore, the issuance of a subsequent report indicating "no evidence" in such circumstances would be a violation of the structural pest control rules and could be considered to be fraud. Most homes in North Carolina in excess of 10-15 years old will have some evidence of wood-destroying insects and could well have been damaged by such insects. Lending institutions and buyers need to realize that a "clear" report is not to be sought. The function of the WDIR is to report the presence of all visible evidence of wood-destroying insect infestation. If damage is present, it is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that it is repaired or evaluated and acknowledged as of no structural consequence by a qualified contractor or engineer. Just as an individual is willing to buy a used car with a few dents; so a homeowner, lender, etc., must be willing to accept some wood-destroying insect damage in an older home.
Conclusion
The potential buyer depends on this report to help in the decision-making process on the real estate purchase and obviously would be quite upset if misled by an improperly completed report. A so-called "clear" report is not mandatory in order for the transaction to be completed. The most important thing to remember is that the report must be, as required by law, a true indication of the presence or absence of evidence of wood-destroying insects. The report should be obtained early in the transaction and be read carefully by all concerned parties, paying particular attention to the introductory statements on the report and conditions governing the report printed on the reverse.
If there are questions concerning the WDIR in general or with regards to a specific inspection should be addressed to the Structural Pest Control Division in
Raleigh the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
If carpenter bee's are in your home in Charlotte, Concord, Mooresville, Monroe, Huntersville, Statesville, Mint Hill or surrounding areas give Home Spectors a call at (800) 250-2423 or (704) 545-2847.