Guide
Signs of termites before buying a home in Texas
If you're buying or selling a home in Midland, Texas, there's one form to know: the Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report, form SPCS/T-5.
What the form is
The state form says its use is required for real estate transactions in Texas, and that it reports the visible presence or absence of wood destroying insects and the conditions that favor them. Only a certified applicator or technician licensed in the termite category can complete it.
What it leaves out
- It covers the main dwelling. Sheds, detached garages, fences and guest houses are left out unless noted on the report.
- It covers only parts that were visible and accessible that day. Areas behind wall coverings, furniture or stored goods aren't included.
- It isn't a structural damage report, and it isn't a warranty that there are no termites.
These limits are spelled out in the form itself and the state FAQ. Ask for a contractor or engineer if you need the damage assessed.
What to look for yourself
Walk the outside of the slab and look for mud tubes. Check door frames and wall bases for blistered wood. Note wood touching soil, firewood stacked against the house, wood mulch close to the foundation, and low spots where water collects. Look in window sills for shed wings. None of this replaces the report, but it tells you what to ask the inspector.
If the report finds termites
AgriLife says there is usually time to choose a treatment before closing, if the problem is found early enough, and that it's better to delay a purchase than rush into an incomplete treatment. Ask for the Texas disclosure documents, compare them, and find out whether any warranty transfers to the buyer.
AgriLife also tells buyers to be cautious about homes recently spot-treated. A full treatment with a warranty and a spot job are different things.
Got pests in the house right now?
Call and say what you've seen and your ZIP code. You'll be connected with an independent pest control company. Allow a few minutes for the conversation.
Calls answered: Early morning to late evening