InstaBidsInstaBids
Skip to content
InstaBids
Menu
Use your AIConnector, agent API and ready promptsOpen in ChatGPTOpen in ClaudeOpen in GrokOpen in GeminiCopies the prompt, then opens
Add InstaBids to ClaudeMCP connector, sign in onceSteps for every assistantFor AI agents
How InstaBids works
Use your AIStart my request

What is a termite inspection?

A termite inspection is a visual search of the readily accessible parts of a building, including attics and crawl spaces, for live termites, their signs and the damage they leave. In home sales it is written up on a wood destroying insect report, such as form NPMA-33 or a state form.

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

InstaBids assistantAI · builds your written scope with you

What termite inspection job do you need done in your home? Describe it once to start your written scope.

Start from a common job
You choose who gets your number
Or send it from your own AIChatGPTClaudeGrokGeminiMore ways
  1. Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
  2. Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
  3. Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
  4. You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
InstaBids

For your AI assistant

MCP connector · REST API · plain HTML

Hand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.

  • MCP connector URLhttps://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp
  • Agent API (OpenAPI)https://instabids.ai/openapi.json
  • Start-request linkhttps://instabids.ai/intake?from=glossary-termite-inspection&page_type=glossary&job=Termite+inspection+for+a+home&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=glossary
Open it in your assistantAdd InstaBids as a connector

Every page is plain HTML. Steps for every assistant: add to your assistant.

Do you need a termite inspection when buying a house?

When a house is sold, a termite report is often part of the deal. University of Kentucky entomologists call it normally a condition of sale, and HUD's archived FHA guide lists the four cases in which an FHA loan calls for one: “While termites may infest buildings at any time, they are particularly relevant when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29. “FHA requires inspection only if there is evidence of active infestation, if mandated by the state or local jurisdiction, if customary to the area, or at the lender's discretion.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29. “Or if the property is located in a state having a mandated wood infestation form, then the state mandated form must be used.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29.

What does the NPMA-33 form say a termite inspection covers?

A termite inspection is a careful look through a house for termites and other wood destroying insects, written up on a standard report. The national NPMA-33 form spells out what the inspection covers and which insects count: “A visual inspection was conducted in the readily accessible areas of the structure(s) indicated (see Page 1) including attics and crawlspaces which permitted entry during the inspection.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “For purposes of this inspection, wood destroying insects include: termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and reinfesting wood boring beetles.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “A professional inspection of the structure is usually required to confirm an infestation.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29.

Termite inspection report

The report is the written record of what the inspector saw, and its form depends on the state. HUD's archived FHA guide names form NPMA-33, lists 14 states that use their own form instead, and describes the two sections used on sectioned reports: “The National Pest Management Association form NPMA-33, Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report must be completed.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29. “At this time the following states have their own mandated form for wood destroying insect infestation and the use of the NPMA-33 is NOT required: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29. “This is not a structural damage report.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “Section I: contains items where there is evidence of active infestation, infection or conditions that have resulted in or from infestation or infection.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29. “Section II: items are conditions deemed likely to lead to infestation or infection, but where no visible evidence of such was found.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29.

Drywood termite inspection

Drywood termites live inside the wood itself rather than in the soil, so the inspector looks for what they push out. The University of California IPM program describes the signs, including kickout holes under 2 mm and six-sided fecal pellets: “Drywood termites are cryptic insects that are difficult to detect.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29. “During a structural inspection for drywood termites, inspectors look for feeding damage, shed wings, fecal pellets, and kickout holes, i.e. small holes (less than 2mm in diameter) through which termites push fecal pellets out of the wood.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29. “These fecal pellets have six hexagonal sides and are diagnostic for drywood termites.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29. “By California state law, the minimum requirement for termite inspections includes visual searches of accessible areas.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29.

How is a termite inspection done?

Mostly by eye and by touch: the inspector looks over the accessible areas and probes or taps the wood. Areas that cannot be reached are listed on the report, and the NPMA-33 form sets 24 inches of crawl space clearance as one such limit: “The inspection included probing and/or sounding of unobstructed and accessible areas to determine the presence or absence of visual evidence of wood destroying insects.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “Visual inspection by inspectors for evidence of termites and damage remain the mainstay of the industry.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29. “Crawl spaces (or portions thereof) may also be deemed inaccessible if there is less than 24 inches of clearance from the bottom of the floor joists to the surface below.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “However, detection of difficult-to-find infestations may require removing walls, paneling, and stucco, as well as using ladders and scaffolds.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29.

How long is a termite inspection good for?

For a mortgage or a property sale, the report is used within 90 days of the inspection date, according to HUD's archived FHA guide and the NPMA-33 form; that window is not a promise that no termites arrive later. For a home's own upkeep, UC IPM suggests inspections every 3 to 5 years: “The validity period is 90 days from the initial date of inspection.” Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (archived page), read 2026-10-29. “This report shall be considered invalid for purposes of securing a mortgage and/or settlement of property transfer if not used within ninety (90) days from the date of inspection.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “This shall not be construed as a 90-day warranty.” Source: Office of Indiana State Chemist, Purdue University (form NPMA-33), read 2026-10-29. “Regular inspections every 3 to 5 years help detect infestations before they become damaging.” Source: University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), read 2026-10-29.

Sources

Related pages

Related pages

Start my requestUse your AI