Termite Treatment & WDO Inspections in Northern Michigan
Termites are uncommon in Northern Michigan, but they can turn up here, and the damage stays hidden until it is expensive. Inner Banks Pest Solutions inspects for and treats termites in homes, cottages and cabins from our East Jordan base, and we provide WDO (wood-destroying organism) inspection reports for home sales. If you have found mud tubes, winged insects or soft, hollow wood, call us and we will find out what you are dealing with.
Signs of Termites in Northern Michigan Homes
Michigan has one established termite, the eastern subterranean termite. MSU Extension says populations in the state are fairly low because the climate is not humid enough for large colonies, and a statewide survey in The Great Lakes Entomologist found the most activity in the southwestern Lower Peninsula. The same survey noted that heated buildings and basements make termites possible almost anywhere in the state, so a Northern Michigan home is less likely to have them, not immune.
Mud tubes: pencil-width tunnels of soil running up a foundation, pier or basement wall to the wood above.
Swarmers: small, dark winged insects indoors, usually on warm, humid days in spring, or piles of shed wings on a windowsill.
Damaged wood: trim, sill plates or joists that sound hollow, feel soft, or have tunnels packed with soil.
Bubbling paint or tight doors: sometimes a sign of moisture and hidden activity in the wood behind it.
Most of a colony is pale workers that never leave the soil and wood, so the signs above are usually all you will see.
Termites vs. Carpenter Ants vs. Other Wood-Destroying Insects
In our part of the state, carpenter ants are far more common than termites. MSU calls them one of the largest and most common ants in Michigan, and they are the usual cause of wood damage we find in lake cottages and wooded lots. The two are easy to mix up, especially when they swarm.
| Termites | Carpenter ants | |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | Thick, no pinch | Narrow, pinched |
| Antennae | Straight | Elbowed |
| Swarmer wings | Two pairs, equal length | Front pair longer |
| Wood | Eat it; tunnels packed with soil | Don't eat it; smooth, clean tunnels |
| What you find | Mud tubes, shed wings | Piles of coarse sawdust (frass) |
Other wood-destroying insects include carpenter bees, which drill round holes in exposed wood like fascia and decks, and wood-boring beetles, which leave small exit holes and fine powder. A WDO inspection looks for all of them.
Think it is carpenter ants? See our ant and carpenter ant control page.
Carpenter bees drilling your deck? See wasps, hornets and carpenter bees.
Our Termite Inspection and Treatment
Every job starts with an inspection. We check the foundation, sill plates, crawl spaces, basements, porches, decks and any wood that touches soil for mud tubes, swarmers and damage. We also look for carpenter ants and the moisture problems that draw both insects to wood.
If we find termites, we show you what we found, recommend a treatment plan for your home, and explain how it works and what to expect before any work starts. If it turns out to be carpenter ants or another pest, we tell you that too and treat the right problem.
Every property is different, so call for a quote.
WDO Inspections for Home Sales
Buying or selling a home in Northern Michigan? We provide WDO inspection reports, often written on the NPMA-33 Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, the industry form that HUD lists as approved for FHA and VA loans.
Michigan is not on the VA's list of states that require a wood-destroying insect inspection on every loan. For VA and FHA loans here, an inspection is usually required only when the appraisal notes signs of insects or damage, or when the lender asks for one. Conventional lenders and buyers set their own terms, so your lender or real estate agent will tell you if you need a report. Call us as soon as you have a closing date.
Service Area
We provide termite inspections, treatment and WDO reports from our East Jordan base across Charlevoix and Emmet counties and nearby: East Jordan, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, Ironton, Walloon Lake, Traverse City, Gaylord, Bellaire, Central Lake, Ellsworth and Alpena. Not sure if we come to you? Call (231) 350-3495, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.
Termite & WDO Inspection FAQ
Are there termites in Northern Michigan?
Yes, but they are uncommon. Michigan's only established termite is the eastern subterranean termite, and MSU Extension says populations are fairly low statewide, with the most activity historically in the southwestern Lower Peninsula. Heated basements can let them survive farther north, so if you see mud tubes or swarmers, have it checked.
How can I tell termites from carpenter ants?
Look at the waist, the antennae and the wood. Carpenter ants have a pinched waist and elbowed antennae, and they leave smooth tunnels and piles of sawdust. Termites have a thick waist and straight antennae, and they leave mud. Termite swarmers have four wings of equal length, while a carpenter ant's front wings are longer.
Can termites fly?
Only the swarmers. Each colony produces winged reproductives that leave to start new colonies, usually on warm, humid days in spring. Finding small dark winged insects or piles of shed wings indoors is a good reason to call for an inspection.
How are termites treated?
It depends on what the inspection finds. We start by confirming it is termites and finding where they are getting into the wood, then recommend a treatment plan for your home and explain it before any work starts. Call (231) 350-3495 for an inspection and a quote.
Do I need a termite inspection to sell a house in Michigan?
Not always. Michigan is not a state where the VA requires a wood-destroying insect inspection on every loan, and VA and FHA usually ask for one only when the appraisal notes signs of insects or damage. Your lender or real estate agent will tell you if a WDO report is needed, and we can provide one.
What does a WDO inspection report cover?
It records visible evidence of wood-destroying insects on the date of the inspection. The standard NPMA-33 form covers termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and reinfesting wood-boring beetles in the readily accessible areas of the home. It is a visual inspection, not a structural report or a guarantee.
Call (231) 350-3495 for a Termite Inspection
Call (231) 350-3495, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, or send us a message. Every property is different, so call for a quote.