Everybody knows what a pest is, or at least I think they do. In the field of home inspection, the pests include the wood destroying organisms (wood boring beetles, some ants, termites) and also members of those species commonly referred to as "vermin."
But, even if those species are present, what is an infestation? Is a single carpenter ant evidence of an infestation? How about five carpenter ants, marching one after another up into a hole in the roof sheathing? Is that an infestation? Regarding vermin: Is a single mouse, who is far gone and can no longer hear the music playing, evidence of an infestation? Add two more mice to that first one -- they are all at the same home. Is that evidence of an infestation? Now that you have seen my award winning photos, I will try to give some answers. The State of Washington defines an infestation as "To be overrun in large numbers so as to be harmful or unpleasant." The state then goes on to say that consumers might view the situation differently -- to a freaked out consumer, a single mouse might be way too many. Reporting this evidence, and providing some degree of insight, can be complicated. Regarding, specifically, the photos above, I have the following comments. Photo one -- A single carpenter ant, wandering or scouting out the property, is no big deal usually. They are common in wooded areas. On the other hand, if that ant, or a number of his or her ant buddies, is marching in a line and ducking under the siding, or entering a hole in the roof or the attic, it is best to be cautious. They might have started a satellite colony. Photo two -- there are enough ants here, marching one after the other, that it is clearly a problem. This is not a scout. They are getting into the attic and working. Photo three -- a single mouse does not an infestation make, but a lonely mouse can be a clue that there is a problem the consumer will not be happy about. Photo four -- add these two mice to photo three and you have an obvious sign of a significant number of mice on premises. When an inspector sees pests, such as the photos above, they should be reported. The real problem is determining what is, or is not, an infestation. Sometimes it is a judgement call on the part of the inspector. Then, of course, there are pests in the category of rats that are so devious, cunning, and intentionally annoying that, even a single specimen of the species, is a cause for alarm. In such a case, we have to call in an exterminator or the pied piper. Steven L. Smith Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Bellingham WA Home Inspector (King of the House) -- A Pest Infestation
8 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • June 09 2008 08:36PMComments
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Good explanation. I'm sure it is a hard judgement call to make and can be quite subjective, but I would think that when you are inspecting an entire home, you have the ability to see "tell-tale" signs of how big the problem may be.
Sean Allen
Sean,
You are correct. An inspector sees signs of pests, often, in different areas of the house.
So Steve, how many inspectors would there have to be in a room before it would be considered an infestation?
One if his name was Broadway Chuckie B.
Do see any wood boring bees in your area, here in Ontario we have seen a lot of activity with them? Chuck Crooker/ Crookerhancox Home Inspections Inc.
Chuck,
We have wood borers, but not of the bee variety. There are a few such bees around and about, according to the state, but not to the degree that they are legally considered to be a wood destroying organism. As for our wood borers, see below.
In our area we have serious problems with anobiid wood boring beetles. I consider them one of the most devastating of the wood destroying organisms in our state. We also have the lyctid that gets in imported wood, such as floors. I guess, the way those products are shipped around, that one could be found almost anywhere. We also have the buprestid and the cyrambycid beetles but they are not considered to be re-infesting. We do not, presently, have the old house borer.
So Steve, how many inspectors would there have to be in a room before it would be considered an infestation? Well the answer should be 1 if it is a bad inspector.
Good point Chuck. I agree.