Most homeowners have never seen a professional pest inspection and don't know what the technician is actually doing — or should be doing. Understanding the process helps you prepare your home so nothing gets missed, evaluate whether your inspector is thorough, and understand the report and recommendations you receive.
A proper pest inspection takes 45–90 minutes for an average home. If the technician is done in 15 minutes, they're cutting corners. Here's exactly what a thorough inspection covers.
Foundation perimeter: The inspector walks the entire foundation looking for cracks, gaps around utility penetrations (pipes, wires, AC lines), weep holes in brick, deteriorating mortar, and signs of termite mud tubes. They'll probe wood trim at soil contact points with a screwdriver — soft wood indicates moisture damage or termite galleries.
Roof and soffits: From ground level (or ladder if accessible), they inspect soffit vents for gaps, fascia board condition, roof-wall junctions, and any visible animal entry points. Squirrels and raccoons typically enter through soffit damage or roof vents.
Yard conditions: Standing water (mosquito breeding), woodpiles against the house, mulch depth at the foundation, tree branches touching the structure (bridges for ants, roof rats, and squirrels), and drainage patterns. The inspector notes anything that creates pest-friendly conditions.
Outbuildings: Garages, sheds, and detached structures get a quick assessment for rodent activity (droppings, gnaw marks) and wood-destroying organism evidence.
Kitchen and bathrooms: These high-moisture areas get the most attention. The inspector checks under sinks for leaks (cockroach and ant attractants), behind appliances if accessible, inside cabinets for droppings or frass, and around pipe penetrations through walls. They look for signs of German cockroaches (dark fecal spots in hinges and corners), stored product pests in the pantry, and drain fly conditions.
Basement and crawl space: This is where major findings often occur. The inspector looks for termite mud tubes on foundation walls, moisture on surfaces (condensation, water intrusion), rodent droppings and runways, wood damage, insulation displacement from animal activity, and vapor barrier condition in crawl spaces.
Attic: Evidence of wildlife activity (raccoon, squirrel, or bat droppings), insulation damage, wasp or bee nests, and signs of roof rats. The inspector also notes ventilation — poor attic ventilation creates moisture problems that attract wood-damaging pests.
Living areas: A quicker pass looking for evidence rather than active pests — carpet beetle damage, silverfish feeding (damaged books, wallpaper), bed bug signs in bedrooms, and entry points around windows and doors.
A professional inspector carries more than a flashlight. Expect to see a moisture meter (detects wet wood that attracts termites and carpenter ants), a screwdriver or awl (for probing suspected termite damage), a flashlight (high-powered, for wall voids and dark spaces), glue boards (left as monitors), and potentially a borescope (flexible camera for inspecting inside wall voids without cutting drywall).
For termite inspections specifically, professionals may use a Termatrac (radar-based detection device) or bring a termite-detection dog — trained dogs can locate active termite colonies behind walls with remarkable accuracy.
A proper inspection report includes: findings (what was found, where, severity), conditions conducive (moisture issues, entry points, harborage — things that aren't infestations yet but invite them), recommendations (treatment plan, exclusion needs, environmental corrections), and cost estimates (broken out by service type).
Clear access points: Move stored items away from basement walls, clear the area under kitchen and bathroom sinks, and ensure the attic access is reachable. An inspector can't check what they can't reach.
Note what you've seen: Write down when and where you've seen pests, heard sounds, or noticed damage. Bring any specimens you've collected (dead insects in a sealed bag or jar). Photos on your phone work too.
Don't clean up evidence: If you've found droppings, webs, or damage, leave them in place. Cleaning before an inspection removes the diagnostic clues the inspector needs to identify the pest and locate the source.
Know your home: Age of the home, last termite treatment (if any), recent renovations, and whether you have a crawl space or slab foundation. This context helps the inspector focus on the right concerns.
General pest inspection: Many companies offer free initial inspections as part of their sales process. A standalone general inspection without treatment typically runs $75–150.
Termite inspection (WDI/WDO report): $75–200 depending on home size and whether it's for a real estate transaction. Real estate termite inspections are standardized forms (NPMA-33 in most states) required by lenders.
Bed bug inspection: $100–300 for a thorough inspection. Dog-assisted bed bug inspections run $200–400 but are significantly more accurate for early-stage infestations.
Use our Cost Calculator to compare professional pricing for your specific situation, and verify any company's license before scheduling.