Termite Inspection in Allentown, PA
Fortiva Pest Control performs full structural termite inspections for homeowners, buyers and sellers across Allentown. Our licensed inspectors document what we find, where we found it and what it means for the structure. Call (610) 885-3370 to schedule an inspection date.
A termite inspection is a documented examination of a structure's accessible interior, exterior, crawl space and foundation for evidence of subterranean termites and other wood-destroying insects. Fortiva Pest Control provides inspections for homeowners, buyers, sellers and lenders throughout Allentown, PA, including written WDI reports.
A termite inspection is the diagnostic step that comes before any treatment decision. Eastern subterranean termites, the species that damages homes throughout the Lehigh Valley, live underground and enter through foundation cracks, slab penetrations and soil-to-wood contact. They consume wood from the inside out, which means a wall stud can be hollowed while the paint surface still looks perfect. Most infestations are found only because someone looked for mud tubes along a foundation wall, tapped a joist and heard the wrong sound, or noticed discarded wings on a windowsill after a spring swarm.
An inspection solves several distinct problems. It tells a homeowner whether suspicious damage is active termites, old pre-treatment damage, carpenter ants or moisture rot. It gives a buyer a written wood-destroying insect report before closing. It gives a seller a chance to resolve a finding before it stalls a transaction. And for anyone with an existing warranty or bait system, an annual inspection is what keeps that coverage current.
Fortiva Pest Control approaches inspections as fact-finding rather than a sales appointment. Our inspectors are licensed in Pennsylvania, carry moisture meters and probing tools rather than relying on a visual walk-through alone, and photograph conditions so you can see what we saw. If the structure is clear, we say so in writing. If it is not, you receive a diagram of the activity, an assessment of conducive conditions and a plain explanation of the treatment options available before you commit to anything.
What Our Termite Inspection Service Covers
A Fortiva termite inspection covers the accessible areas of the structure in a fixed sequence so nothing is skipped. The exterior walk begins at the foundation, where we examine the full perimeter for mud shelter tubes, soil grade above the slab line, wood siding or trim in contact with soil, deck posts set directly in the ground, mulch beds piled against the foundation, and failing downspouts or grading that hold water against the footing. Porches, attached garages, bay window supports and exterior steps receive individual attention because these are common entry points on Allentown's older housing stock.
Inside, we inspect the basement or crawl space in detail: sill plates, band joists, floor joists, subfloor, support posts, the top of the foundation wall and any penetration where plumbing or utilities pass through concrete. Inspectors sound wood with a probe to find hollowed sections, use a moisture meter to identify elevated readings that attract termites, and inspect expansion joints and slab cracks. Above grade, we check window and door frames, baseboards in finished rooms, closets on exterior walls, bathrooms with plumbing penetrations and accessible attic framing. Discarded wings, frass, bubbling paint and pinholes are all recorded.
Findings are compiled into a written report. For real estate transactions, this is issued on the standard NPMA-33 wood-destroying insect inspection form, which notes visible evidence of active infestation, visible damage from previous infestation, evidence of previous treatment and areas that were obstructed or inaccessible. Lenders on FHA and VA loans typically require this document.
A standard single-family inspection takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on square footage, crawl space access and basement finish level. Homes with finished basements or heavy storage take longer because access must be negotiated. Reports are delivered within 24 hours, and in real estate situations we can usually turn one around the same day. If active termites are found, the report includes a diagram of activity locations, a description of recommended treatment approaches and pricing, with no obligation to proceed.
Benefits of Professional Termite Inspection
Damage Found Before It Spreads
Subterranean termite colonies work continuously and quietly, often for years. An inspection catches activity at the mud-tube stage rather than after joists have lost structural capacity, which is the difference between a treatment bill and a carpentry bill measured in thousands of dollars.
Written WDI Report for Closings
Real estate transactions, especially FHA and VA financed purchases, require a wood-destroying insect report on the standard NPMA-33 form. We issue the completed, signed document with inspector license information so your lender, agent and title company have what they need on time.
Correct Insect Identification
Carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, old damage and moisture rot are routinely mistaken for live termites. Our inspectors identify what is actually present, which prevents you from paying for a termite treatment when the real problem is a leaking gutter or a carpenter ant nest.
Conducive Condition Reporting
Beyond live activity, we document the conditions that invite termites in: soil-to-wood contact, high grade against siding, mulch at the foundation, crawl space moisture and drainage faults. Fixing these is often cheap and dramatically reduces the chance of a future infestation.
Photographic Documentation
Inspectors photograph mud tubes, damaged wood, moisture readings and problem areas. You see the evidence rather than taking a verbal summary on faith, and the images stay on file as a baseline for comparison at your next annual inspection.
No-Obligation Findings
The inspection and the treatment decision are separate. If the structure is clear, the report says clear. If activity exists, you receive options and pricing in writing and can take as long as you need, or get a second opinion, before authorizing any work.
How Our Termite Inspection Process Works
Schedule and Pre-Visit Questions
Call (610) 885-3370 and we confirm the property type, age, basement or crawl space access and whether the inspection is for a real estate closing. Transaction inspections are prioritized to meet contingency deadlines, and we tell you upfront what areas need to be cleared before arrival.
Exterior Perimeter Examination
The inspector walks the full foundation line checking for shelter tubes, soil grade, wood-to-ground contact, mulch depth, drainage faults, deck and porch supports, and any exterior wood showing swarmer activity or damage. Photographs are taken of every finding at this stage.
Substructure and Interior Inspection
Basement, crawl space and slab areas are inspected closely, with sill plates, band joists and support posts sounded and probed. Interior rooms, window frames, bathrooms, closets on exterior walls and accessible attic framing are checked for frass, wings, pinholes and blistered paint.
Moisture and Probe Testing
Suspect wood is tested with a moisture meter and probed to determine whether damage is hollow and active or old and dry. This distinguishes current infestations from pre-existing damage already treated, which matters for both pricing and real estate negotiation.
Report Preparation and Review
Findings are compiled into a written report, including the NPMA-33 form where a transaction requires it, with a diagram showing activity and damage locations and notes on inaccessible areas. The inspector reviews the document with you so the terminology is clear.
Treatment Options or Monitoring Plan
If activity is present, you receive treatment approaches, pricing and warranty terms in writing. If the structure is clear, we recommend an inspection interval and the specific conducive conditions worth correcting, then follow up only when your next inspection is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about termite inspection
Termite inspections for Allentown homeowners typically run between $100 and $200 for a standard single-family property, with real estate WDI reports on the NPMA-33 form at the upper end of that range. Larger homes, multi-unit buildings and properties with difficult crawl space access cost more. Call (610) 885-3370 for a firm quote on your address.
Most single-family inspections take 45 to 90 minutes. Square footage, crawl space clearance, basement finish level and stored belongings all affect the time required. Finished basements take longer because accessible inspection points are limited. The written report follows within 24 hours, and same-day turnaround is available for real estate deadlines.
Someone must provide access to the interior, basement, crawl space and attic, so an adult present at the property is standard. You are welcome to follow the inspector, and most clients do, since seeing a mud tube or probed joist firsthand explains more than a report line item. Occupants do not need to leave.
An inspection involves no pesticide application, so there is no chemical exposure to children or pets at any point. Inspectors use flashlights, probes, moisture meters and cameras only. Pets should be secured during the visit, mainly so basement and crawl space doors can be opened without an animal slipping into an unsafe area.
Clear access to the basement perimeter walls, crawl space entry, water heater and furnace areas, and move stored boxes away from foundation walls where possible. Unlock garages, sheds and attic hatches. Any area the inspector cannot reach must be marked inaccessible on the report, which reduces the inspection's value to you.
Active infestation is distinguished from old damage during the inspection using probing, moisture readings and the condition of mud tubes. Intact, damp tubes with live workers indicate current activity; dry, crumbling tubes and old galleries with no live insects indicate a past infestation. The report states which category applies.
Liquid soil treatments can usually be scheduled within a few days of the report and begin killing foraging termites immediately, with visible activity typically ending in two to six weeks. Bait systems work more gradually and generally eliminate a colony over roughly three to six months. Treatment options and timelines are detailed in your report.
Annual inspections are the standard recommendation for homes in eastern Pennsylvania, where eastern subterranean termites are established and swarm each spring. Homes with a prior infestation, an active warranty, a bait system, crawl space moisture or heavy landscaping against the foundation benefit from checking yearly without exception.
Sources
- Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Termite signs, conducive conditions, liquid and bait treatment options
- Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Use of licensed applicators and pest identification before treatment
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