Fillable checklist

Termite Inspection Checklist: Visual Wood Destroying Insects (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable visual termite checklist for mud tubes, damaged wood, moisture, grade, and treatment records. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 10 sections · 60 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against EPA, USDA Forest Service, HUD NPMA-33, and InterNACHI · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a visual walk for wood-destroying insect clues on a US house: mud tubes, damaged wood, moisture, exterior grade, and treatment records. Mark N/A on stations the house does not have.

  • 10 sections
  • 60 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Property

This is a visual owner or inspector worksheet, not a licensed WDO or WDI report (NPMA-33) and not a treatment contract. State licensing of pest inspectors varies. Record treatment papers you actually see. Do not invent a federal damage Pass or Fail.

13 fields
Property

InterNACHI 3.3 asks you to describe the foundation type. Mark the under-floor station N/A on a slab-only house.

InterNACHI 3.3: state where you entered or viewed the crawl or basement. Write N/A on a slab-only house with no under-floor space.

InterNACHI: do not enter if the space is not readily accessible or looks unsafe. HUD NPMA-33 treats a crawl as inaccessible when clearance under the joists is less than 24 inches. USDA HG-64 asks for 18 inches under joists and 12 inches under girders. Those are not one federal Pass or Fail. Record the method even when you stay out.

Dry, raining, or recent heavy rain. Moisture marks after a dry week are not the same as a wet-day seep.

Copy what the papers or sticker actually say. EPA: termiticide work is usually done by a licensed pest professional. This field does not create a treatment contract.

Leave blank if no date is on a label, graph, or receipt.

Name on the sticker, graph, or invoice. Write none seen if you found no papers.

HUD NPMA-33 consumer text: a warranty or service agreement is a separate writing. Recording that you saw one is not that contract.

Inspection station

Exterior grade and drainage

Walk soil, paving, gutters, and downspouts. EPA: keep the soil around the foundation dry with grading and drainage. Do not mark Pass or Fail from a slope percentage unless you measured it.

8 items
Exterior grade and drainage

Finished grade slopes away from foundation walls

EPA: keep soil around the foundation dry through proper grading. USDA HG-64: slope the soil so water drains away from the building. Mark Defect if water clearly runs toward the wall. Use Notes if you measured. Do not invent a federal slope Pass or Fail.

Finished grade slopes away from foundation walls: OK, Defect, or N/A

No low spots or standing water against the foundation

USDA: inadequate drainage under or around a building favors termites. Look for stained soil, algae, or a settled backfill trench. Mark Defect if water stands at the wall.

No low spots or standing water against the foundation: OK, Defect, or N/A

Gutters present, attached, and not overflowing at the wall

EPA: maintain gutters and downspouts as part of keeping foundation soil dry. USDA: gutters and downspouts help remove roof water quickly. Mark N/A if the house has no gutter system and roof water still clears the foundation.

Gutters present, attached, and not overflowing at the wall: OK, Defect, or N/A

Downspouts discharge away from the foundation

EPA and USDA both ask you to send roof water away from the foundation. Neither page states one federal outlet length. Mark Defect if the outlet dumps at the wall.

Downspouts discharge away from the foundation: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foundation wall is exposed so shelter tubes can be seen

USDA HG-64: keep finished grade at or below the soil under the house so the wall can be inspected, and keep siding at least 6 inches above outside grade so tubes are forced into the open. That 6-inch figure is USDA building practice, not a federal damage Pass or Fail. Mark Defect if soil or mulch hides the wall top.

Foundation wall is exposed so shelter tubes can be seen: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible slab edge sits above adjacent finished grade

USDA HG-64: for monolithic and suspended slabs, the slab should be at least 6 inches above grade. Mark N/A on a crawl or basement house with no slab edge. Do not treat 6 inches as a licensed inspection fail if local grade differs.

Visible slab edge sits above adjacent finished grade: OK, Defect, or N/A

No large patches of dead vegetation or standing dampness at the wall

InterNACHI: note excessive dampness or large areas of dead vegetation. That can mark a wet band termites use. Mark N/A if the bed is simply dormant for the season and the soil is dry.

No large patches of dead vegetation or standing dampness at the wall: OK, Defect, or N/A

Window-well bottoms sit below the nearest wood

USDA HG-64: the bottom of a window well should be at least 6 inches below the nearest wood. Mark N/A if there are no wells. Mark Defect if soil or debris is piled to the wood frame.

Window-well bottoms sit below the nearest wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Wood-to-soil and cellulose near the house

Anywhere wood touches soil is a possible entry. EPA, USDA, InterNACHI, and the HUD NPMA-33 consumer advisory all list earth-to-wood contact as a prime risk. Mark N/A only on items the lot does not have.

9 items
Wood-to-soil and cellulose near the house

No structural wood in contact with or near soil

EPA: termites invade through wood close to or touching soil. InterNACHI 3.3: report wood in contact with or near soil. Include siding, stair stringers, door facings, and lattice. Mark Defect for untreated wood on soil.

No structural wood in contact with or near soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Firewood and wood debris not piled next to the house

EPA: do not pile or store firewood or wood debris next to the house. HUD NPMA-33 consumer advisory lists firewood against the structure. Move stacks away and note the distance you used.

Firewood and wood debris not piled next to the house: OK, Defect, or N/A

Trees and shrubs not growing against exposed wood

EPA: do not plant trees and shrubs too close, and do not let them grow against exposed wood. InterNACHI: separate shrubbery from the house so you can see the foundation line.

Trees and shrubs not growing against exposed wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foundation vents not blocked by plants or stored items

EPA: keep vents free from blockage, including plants. USDA: keep shrubbery far enough from openings for air flow and so you can see tubes on the wall.

Foundation vents not blocked by plants or stored items: OK, Defect, or N/A

Wood mulch or ground cover not piled against the structure

HUD NPMA-33 consumer advisory lists wood mulch or ground cover in contact with the structure. High mulch against wood siding is also a wood-to-soil issue. Pull it back so the foundation face is visible.

Wood mulch or ground cover not piled against the structure: OK, Defect, or N/A

Landscape timbers and railroad ties not bridging to the house

HUD NPMA-33 lists landscape timbers. USDA: timbers over a treated zone can let termites bypass a soil barrier. Mark N/A if none are near the house.

Landscape timbers and railroad ties not bridging to the house: OK, Defect, or N/A

Stumps, form boards, and wood scraps removed from under and around the house

USDA: remove roots, stumps, form boards, grade stakes, and scraps. Burning does not destroy buried wood. HUD NPMA-33 lists wood debris in the crawl space. Mark Defect if cellulose is left against or under the building.

Stumps, form boards, and wood scraps removed from under and around the house: OK, Defect, or N/A

Trellises, fences, and stair carriages do not connect soil to house wood

InterNACHI: pay special attention where earth and wood meet, such as fences, stair carriages, and trellises. USDA: remove exterior wood that connects the ground to the house, or set it on masonry or treated wood. USDA also asks 2 inches of air between porch piers and the house so tubes cannot hide.

Trellises, fences, and stair carriages do not connect soil to house wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foam insulation, stucco, or siding does not run to the soil

HUD NPMA-33 lists foam insulation at the foundation in contact with soil. USDA risk list: rigid board insulation, stucco, or siding that extends to the soil can hide tubes. Mark Defect if a finish covers the inspectable foundation face down to grade.

Foam insulation, stucco, or siding does not run to the soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Mud tubes and foundation openings

Subterranean termites build earthen shelter tubes between soil and wood. Any tube on the house is a Defect, even if you see no live insects. Do not score tube width as a federal Pass or Fail.

8 items
Mud tubes and foundation openings

No earthen shelter tubes on foundation walls

EPA: termites rarely leave soil, mud tubes, or the wood they are tunneling. USDA: tubes are usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide and run from soil over the wall. That width is typical size, not a Pass or Fail. Mark Defect if any tube is present.

No earthen shelter tubes on foundation walls: OK, Defect, or N/A

No tubes on piers, pipes, conduits, or steel columns

USDA: termites tube over non-wood materials to reach wood above. Check every pier, plumbing stack, and conduit in the crawl or at the slab edge. Mark N/A if there are no exposed piers or pipes.

No tubes on piers, pipes, conduits, or steel columns: OK, Defect, or N/A

No tubes at porches, patios, sidewalks, or dirt-filled stoops

InterNACHI: look closely around porches, connecting patios, and sidewalks. USDA: dirt-filled porches and terraces cause a large share of infestations. Mark N/A if there is no attached porch or slab.

No tubes at porches, patios, sidewalks, or dirt-filled stoops: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foundation line behind shrubbery is clear of tubes

InterNACHI: look behind shrubbery and plants near walls. This is a visual line. Do not rip out plants unless you own the property. Note any face you could not see.

Foundation line behind shrubbery is clear of tubes: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foundation cracks and utility penetrations are filled

EPA: fill cracks in cement foundations and openings where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk. USDA: termites can use cracks as small as 0.03 inch (0.8 mm). Mark Defect for an open crack or an unsealed pipe sleeve at wood or soil.

Foundation cracks and utility penetrations are filled: OK, Defect, or N/A

Exterior meter or fuse box set into the wall is clear of tubes and damaged wood

InterNACHI: open and check any exterior electrical meter or fuse box set into the wall, a common infestation point. Mark N/A if the meter is on a remote pedestal. Do not pry live gear. Look at the box rim and the siding around it.

Exterior meter or fuse box set into the wall is clear of tubes and damaged wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Garage and other buildings on the lot show no tubes from soil

InterNACHI: check the foundation of the house, garage, and other buildings. Mark N/A if there is no garage or outbuilding. Detached sheds still belong here if they sit on the same lot you are walking.

Garage and other buildings on the lot show no tubes from soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Exterior walls near kitchens and bathrooms show no tubes or wet wood

InterNACHI: look closely at areas near kitchens and bathrooms. USDA: damp wood near sinks, toilets, and leaking pipes is a prime aboveground site. Mark N/A only if those rooms have no exterior wall.

Exterior walls near kitchens and bathrooms show no tubes or wet wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Damaged wood and visible WDI evidence

Probe only accessible, unobstructed wood. EPA: probe exposed wood for hollow spots. This is not a structural-damage report and not an NPMA-33 finding. Do not invent a federal damage percent Pass or Fail.

8 items
Damaged wood and visible WDI evidence

Accessible wood is not hollow or soft when probed

EPA: examine exposed wood by probing for hollow spots with a flathead screwdriver or similar tool. USDA and InterNACHI: severely damaged wood may sound dull or hollow when tapped. Mark Defect if a probe sinks or the piece sounds hollow. Write the location in Notes.

Accessible wood is not hollow or soft when probed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Door bottoms, frames, and window sills are sound

InterNACHI: check bottoms of exterior doors and frames, window facings, and wood window sills. USDA: door frames and jambs should not extend into or through a concrete floor. Mark Defect for soft trim, crushed jambs, or soil against a wood door bottom.

Door bottoms, frames, and window sills are sound: OK, Defect, or N/A

No galleries with soil-like specks along the grain

USDA: subterranean galleries run along the grain and often hold yellow-brown or gray specks of excrement and soil. They do not reduce wood to a powder pushed outside. Mark Defect if you see that pattern. Hidden damage may still exist behind paint.

No galleries with soil-like specks along the grain: OK, Defect, or N/A

No sawdust-like frass, pellets, or kick-out holes on or under wood

USDA: subterranean termites do not push wood particles outside. Powder, pellets, or shredded fiber often means drywood termites, beetles, carpenter ants, or carpenter bees (HUD NPMA-33 also lists those insects). Mark Defect if frass is present, and say which pattern you saw. This form does not require you to name the species.

No sawdust-like frass, pellets, or kick-out holes on or under wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

No honeycombed timbers or thin wooden shells

USDA: termites may honeycomb a timber and leave little more than a shell. The surface can look intact. Mark Defect if a face skins off or a beam is a shell. Do not assign a percent-destroyed Pass or Fail. A licensed pest or structural professional judges extent.

No honeycombed timbers or thin wooden shells: OK, Defect, or N/A

Paint, veneer, and trim are not blistered over soft wood

InterNACHI lists damaged wood members such as window sills. A blister or ripple can hide galleries. Mark OK if the finish is only weathered and the wood probes sound. Use Notes for cosmetic paint with solid wood.

Paint, veneer, and trim are not blistered over soft wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Attached porch, deck, and garage wood shows no WDI damage

InterNACHI: observe other structures on the lot that can host infestation. USDA: porch supports next to the house should be separated so tubes cannot hide. Mark N/A if there is no attached wood structure.

Attached porch, deck, and garage wood shows no WDI damage: OK, Defect, or N/A

No carton nest material in a wall or void you can see

USDA: Formosan subterranean termites may build a moist carton nest of chewed wood, saliva, and feces inside walls. Abandoned carton dries hard. Mark N/A if you have no wall-void view and you are outside known Formosan areas. Do not open walls for this worksheet.

No carton nest material in a wall or void you can see: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Moisture and leaks

Moisture lets subterranean termites live above ground without soil contact. EPA: fix leaks immediately. This station is leaks and wet wood, not the grade slope you already marked.

7 items
Moisture and leaks

No active roof, plumbing, or foundation leaks wetting wood

EPA: fix leaks immediately. USDA: isolated aboveground infestations can use water from condensation, leaking roofs, or pipes. Mark Defect for an active drip or a wet stain on wood. Old dry stains belong in Notes unless wood is still soft.

No active roof, plumbing, or foundation leaks wetting wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Plumbing and utility entries at the foundation and floor are dry and sealed

InterNACHI: inspect where plumbing and utility pipes enter the foundation and flooring. USDA: fill spaces around pipes that penetrate slabs or walls after any soil treatment. Mark Defect for a wet sleeve or an open gap at wood.

Plumbing and utility entries at the foundation and floor are dry and sealed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Walls and ceilings do not show moisture stains over wood

InterNACHI: discoloration or stains on walls or ceilings may mean leaking water that decays wood and aids termites. Mark Defect for an active or recurring stain. A single old spot with dry, sound wood can be OK with a note.

Walls and ceilings do not show moisture stains over wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Wood near sinks, toilets, tubs, and water heaters is dry

USDA: damp wood near sinks, toilets, and leaking pipes is a prime location. Check vanities, closet flanges, and the heater stand. Mark N/A if you cannot see those cabinets. Do not dismantle finishes.

Wood near sinks, toilets, tubs, and water heaters is dry: OK, Defect, or N/A

Air-conditioner condensate and hose bibs are not wetting soil or wood at the wall

USDA: termites locate near water that collects, including air-conditioning condensers and dripping faucets. Mark Defect if a condensate line soaks the foundation band or a bib keeps soil wet against wood.

Air-conditioner condensate and hose bibs are not wetting soil or wood at the wall: OK, Defect, or N/A

Crawl or basement soil is not wet and has no standing water

USDA: moist, poorly drained soil under a building favors colonies. HUD NPMA-33 consumer advisory lists moisture and insufficient ventilation. Mark N/A on a slab-only house. Mark Defect for standing water or wet joists.

Crawl or basement soil is not wet and has no standing water: OK, Defect, or N/A

Crawl vents or other foundation vents are open and unblocked

EPA: keep vents free from blockage. USDA: dead-air pockets raise humidity that favors termites and decay. USDA states a model total vent area of 1/150 of the ground area. That is USDA practice, not a federal Pass or Fail. Mark N/A on a conditioned closed crawl you were told not to vent, and note the vapor cover instead.

Crawl vents or other foundation vents are open and unblocked: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Interior swarmers, wings, and attic

EPA: most people first notice termites when they see a swarm or find damage during work. Indoor swarmers almost always mean an infestation. Mark N/A on attic lines if you have no safe access.

7 items
Interior swarmers, wings, and attic

No winged swarmers inside the house

EPA and InterNACHI: indoor swarmers at windows or lights almost always mean the colony has infested. USDA: flights often follow the first warm days after rain, but heated basements can swarm in winter. Mark Defect if you see live swarmers. Note the room and date.

No winged swarmers inside the house: OK, Defect, or N/A

No discarded wings on sills, floors, or in cobwebs

EPA and InterNACHI: wings on window sills or in cobwebs are a common sign. USDA: piles of wings under doors or on sills mean reproductives emerged inside or nearby. Mark Defect if you find equal-length termite wings. Save a sample in a bag if you will call a professional.

No discarded wings on sills, floors, or in cobwebs: OK, Defect, or N/A

Winged insects were identified as termites or as ants

EPA: termite wings are roughly equal in length and antennae are straight. Ants have longer front wings and antennae bent at about 90 degrees. USDA adds a pinched ant waist versus a broader termite body. Mark OK if you confirmed ants, Defect if termites, N/A if you saw no winged insects. Write which traits you used.

Winged insects were identified as termites or as ants: OK, Defect, or N/A

Baseboards, door facings, and hardwood floors probe sound

InterNACHI: carefully check doors, window facings, baseboards, and hardwood flooring. Mark Defect for hollow base, crushed shoe mold, or flooring that gives. Furnishings may hide a run. Note any wall you could not reach.

Baseboards, door facings, and hardwood floors probe sound: OK, Defect, or N/A

Kitchen and bath interiors show no tubes, wings, or soft wood

InterNACHI flags kitchens and bathrooms as hard-to-see indoor stations. Check under sinks you can open, the tub apron if visible, and the floor at the toilet. Mark N/A if those rooms were locked or packed.

Kitchen and bath interiors show no tubes, wings, or soft wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Attic shows no shelter tubes, leaks, or damaged wood

InterNACHI: examine the attic for shelter tubes, water leakage, and wood damage. Drywood activity is more common in roof wood in warm coastal states (USDA distribution). Mark N/A if there is no attic or you could not enter. InterNACHI SOP does not require entering an unsafe space.

Attic shows no shelter tubes, leaks, or damaged wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Eaves and gable vents show no swarm entry or damaged wood

InterNACHI: observe eaves and gable vents and wood window sills for swarming termites. Mark N/A if you cannot see the eaves from the ground or a safe ladder. This is visual only, not a roof inspection.

Eaves and gable vents show no swarm entry or damaged wood: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Crawl space and basement

Mark every line N/A if the house has no crawl or basement. Record access in Property even if you stay out. HUD NPMA-33 and InterNACHI both limit this to readily accessible areas.

8 items
Crawl space and basement

Under-floor access was used or the limit was written down

InterNACHI 3.3: describe access location and do not enter an unsafe crawl. HUD NPMA-33: a crawl may be called inaccessible under 24 inches of joist clearance. Write the limit in Notes if you only viewed from the door.

Under-floor access was used or the limit was written down: OK, Defect, or N/A

No shelter tubes on crawl or basement walls, piers, or pipes

USDA: look primarily for shelter tubes on piers and foundation walls, and also on pipes. InterNACHI: check crawl spaces. Mark Defect for any tube. Mark N/A if you could not see the walls.

No shelter tubes on crawl or basement walls, piers, or pipes: OK, Defect, or N/A

No stumps, form boards, or wood debris on the crawl soil

USDA and HUD NPMA-33 both flag wood debris in the crawl. USDA: do not support pipes with wood blocks or stakes from the soil. Mark Defect for cellulose left on the ground.

No stumps, form boards, or wood debris on the crawl soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Floor framing is clear of the soil enough to inspect

USDA HG-64: at least 18 inches from soil to the bottom of joists and 12 inches to beams or girders. InterNACHI prevention text uses 12 to 18 inches. HUD NPMA-33 calls a crawl inaccessible under 24 inches. Those are not one federal Pass or Fail. Mark Defect if wood sits on soil. Use Notes if you measured.

Floor framing is clear of the soil enough to inspect: OK, Defect, or N/A

No crawl or basement wood in contact with soil

InterNACHI 3.3: report wood in contact with or near soil. USDA: wooden posts and partitions should rest on concrete that stands above the slab, not through it. Include form boards left against the wall.

No crawl or basement wood in contact with soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Plumbing and conduits in the crawl hang clear of the soil

USDA: keep plumbing and electrical conduits clear of the ground. Do not support them with wood stakes. Termites tube over those supports. Mark N/A if there is no crawl plumbing.

Plumbing and conduits in the crawl hang clear of the soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Crawl soil has a cover or the space is dry enough to inspect

USDA: place a polyethylene or similar barrier on crawl soil to retard moisture, and provide ventilation. HUD NPMA-33 lists insufficient ventilation. Mark N/A on a dry basement with a concrete floor and no crawl soil.

Crawl soil has a cover or the space is dry enough to inspect: OK, Defect, or N/A

Finished basement wood floors or furring are noted if present

USDA: infestations behind untreated basement floors and furring are hard to detect and hard to control. You are not required to open walls. Mark N/A if the basement is unfinished or there is no basement. Mark Defect only if you see tubes, wings, or soft wood at an exposed edge.

Finished basement wood floors or furring are noted if present: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Treatment records and bait stations

Record what you can see. EPA: hire a state-licensed firm for termiticide work and read the label. This station is not a treatment contract and not an NPMA-33 recommendation block.

5 items
Treatment records and bait stations

Treatment graph, sticker, or invoice was found and matches the header

Copy company, date, and method into Property. HUD NPMA-33 treats prior treatment as a separate documented fact. Mark N/A if the owner says there was never a treatment. Mark Defect if papers are missing after the owner said a treatment exists.

Treatment graph, sticker, or invoice was found and matches the header: OK, Defect, or N/A

In-ground bait or monitor stations are visible, labeled, and not buried

EPA lists termite baits as an approved structural treatment. USDA: stations are monitored on a schedule and must not be contaminated by lawn chemicals. Mark N/A if no bait system is installed. Mark Defect if a station is crushed, buried, or pulled.

In-ground bait or monitor stations are visible, labeled, and not buried: OK, Defect, or N/A

Old drill holes, trench lines, or foam at the slab are noted, not hidden

USDA describes vertical drilling of slabs and exterior trenching as common remedial work. Seeing old holes is not a fail. Mark Defect only if a hole is open to the interior or a trench has caved against untreated wood. Write locations in Notes.

Old drill holes, trench lines, or foam at the slab are noted, not hidden: OK, Defect, or N/A

Treated soil at the foundation has not been freshly trenched for utilities or beds

USDA: any later pipe, cable, or landscaping through treated soil can break a termiticide barrier. EPA still wants plants kept off the wood. Mark N/A if no soil treatment is claimed. Mark Defect if new trenches cut the band and no retreatment paper exists.

Treated soil at the foundation has not been freshly trenched for utilities or beds: OK, Defect, or N/A

No one treated the house from this worksheet

EPA: most termiticide labels require a trained, licensed applicator. HUD NPMA-33 says the inspecting firm is not hired to treat unless a separate contract says so. Mark OK to confirm you only walked and recorded. Mark Defect if someone applied a product during this walk, and stop: that work needs its own contract and label.

No one treated the house from this worksheet: OK, Defect, or N/A

Form details

Findings and sign-off

List every Defect line here. Action choices are practical next steps, not a licensed WDI finding and not a treatment order.

6 fields
Findings and sign-off

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