1. Attic & roof framing
Where 70% of Pompano Beach drywood activity hides — rafters, ridge beam, collar ties, sheathing nails, gable-end vents. We pull insulation back where evidence suggests a gallery and photograph the kick-out holes.
Pompano Beach termite inspection
Free, FDACS-licensed termite inspection — with the species written on the report.
Most inspections in Broward County end with “probable termite activity present.” That phrasing protects the inspector — not you. Our Pompano Beach termite inspection closes with the genus identified — Cryptotermes brevis, Reticulitermes flavipes, Coptotermes formosanus — written in plain language on the official FDACS-13645 form. Free to homeowners. $75–$150 for real-estate transactions. Same-day in Tier 1 neighborhoods.
What we actually inspect
Eight zones, one written report.
A termite inspection is not a quick walk-around with a flashlight. Each of the eight zones below has its own species fingerprint — and missing any one of them is how most failed inspections fail.
2. Slab perimeter
The full exterior foundation line, looking for mud tubes climbing up to the sole plate, weep-hole shelter tubes, and stucco bulges hiding sub-slab activity.
3. Interior baseboards
Tap-sounding every accessible baseboard for hollow points, plus visual scan for blistered paint and soft drywall above floor wells in laundry, bath, and kitchen.
4. Window & door framing
Door jambs, frame headers, sill plates, and window trim — favorite chambers for established drywood colonies. Frass piles on sills are a signature.
5. Garage & storage rooms
Bare drywall, slab-to-stud joints, water-heater closets, and the back wall behind stacked boxes — moisture pockets that subterranean colonies probe first.
6. Mature trees on the lot
Live ficus, oak, mahogany, and royal palm get a base-tap test for hollow centers — the calling card of Formosan and Asian subterranean colonies that then expand into structures.
7. Fence line & decking
Pressure-treated lumber is termite-resistant, not termite-proof, especially after a decade of sun and salt. Fence-post bases and deck stringers are common entry points.
8. Documentation review
Prior treatments, existing warranties, builder pre-construction certifications, and any HOA pest-control history — pulled into the final report so the next operator has the full picture.
The FDACS-13645 report
The only termite report Florida lenders accept.
If your lender, title company, or HOA is asking for a “termite letter,” what they actually need is a completed Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Official Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection Report — form 13645 — signed by a Florida-licensed pest control operator.
Standard sections of every report we issue:
- Section A — Active wood-destroying organisms: species identified, location of evidence, and whether currently active
- Section B — Evidence of previous infestation: healed galleries, prior frass, repaired damage
- Section C — Damage observed: structural vs cosmetic, photographic evidence
- Section D — Prior treatment: any prior pesticide application records the homeowner can produce
- Section E — Obstructed areas: sealed crawl spaces, fixed ceilings, full-height storage — disclosed as un-inspected
The report is valid for the closing window your lender specifies — typically 30 to 90 days from the inspection date. Re-inspections after expiration can usually be turned around in 48 hours.
Form 13645 · Sample
Pompano Beach, FL · 1,852 sq ft
Inspector:
Florida-licensed (FDACS)
Inspection date:
YYYY-MM-DD
Section A:
Active drywood — Cryptotermes brevis, attic rafters east side
Section B:
Previous activity — garage door header (treated 2019)
Section C:
Cosmetic; no structural compromise observed
Section D:
2019 spot treatment record on file
Section E:
Fixed ceiling above living room — un-inspected
Recommendation:
No-tent localized treatment OR whole-house tent fumigation
The four-step inspection
What happens between the appointment confirmation and your report.
1
Walk-around exterior
Foundation, slab seams, weep holes, fence line, deck, AC pad, garden edge, and tree bases. Anything carrying mud tubes or frass piles gets photographed.
2
Interior + attic
Room-by-room moisture meter sweep, hollow-wood tap test, attic access, and gallery probe of any suspicious framing.
3
Species identification
Soldier mandibles, frass morphology, and alate wing venation are checked on-site against an identification key. No sample sent to a lab unless ambiguous.
4
Written report & quote
FDACS-13645 with photos, recommendations, and three treatment options when applicable. Delivered by email before we leave the property.
Inspection pricing
Honest numbers, no upsell scripts.
| Inspection type | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Residential termite inspection — homeowner | Free | Same-day (Tier 1) |
| FDACS-13645 WDO report — real estate | $75 – $150 | 24–48 hours |
| Annual re-inspection (warranty) | Included in contract | Scheduled annually |
| Damage assessment — insurance / claim | $150 – $250 | 24–72 hours |
| Commercial / multi-unit (per building) | By quote | 1–5 days |
VA-financed transactions: the seller typically pays for the WDO inspection per Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines.
Common mis-calls
Five look-alikes that get diagnosed as “termites” when they aren’t.
Half the homeowners who call us during swarm season do not actually have termites — they have one of the look-alikes below. Knowing the difference saves a panic treatment.
- Carpenter ant frass. Coarser than drywood frass, irregular shape, often mixed with bits of insulation and dead insect parts. Ants kick galleries clean too, but you find shredded debris, not six-sided pellets.
- Drywall dust. Fine white powder, almost always near a sheetrock seam or screw pop — easily mistaken for subterranean activity on slab perimeters. A moisture meter and a black-light pass settles the question.
- Mud-dauber wasp nests. Look like termite mud tubes if you only glance, but they’re tubular, terminate in a single chamber, and are usually overhead — not climbing up the foundation.
- Powder-post beetles. Tiny round exit holes (1/16″) with very fine flour-like dust under them. Confined to hardwood furniture and trim — not the structural framing termites prefer.
- Subterranean swarm of another species. The most expensive mis-call. A Formosan or Asian subterranean colony looks just like a native sub on the wing — but the treatment protocol is different. Worth a real ID before anyone treats.
Inspections by neighborhood
Where we’ve inspected most often.
Different Pompano neighborhoods produce different species reports — coastal corridors are heavy on drywood, golf communities favor subterranean. Pick your area for neighborhood-specific termite intel.
Termite inspection FAQ
The questions Pompano homeowners ask before booking.
How much does a termite inspection cost in Pompano Beach?
Our standalone residential termite inspection is free for Pompano Beach homeowners. A certified FDACS-13645 WDO report for a real-estate closing is $75–$150 depending on square footage and crawl-space access. For VA financing, the seller is typically responsible for the WDO inspection fee per VA underwriting guidelines.
What does the inspector actually look for?
Drywood frass piles, subterranean mud tubes, swarmer wings, hollow-sounding wood, blistered paint, kick-out holes, prior-treatment evidence, look-alikes (carpenter ants, powder-post beetles, drywall dust), and fungal decay. Attic, slab perimeter, interior baseboards, doors and window framing, garage, storage rooms, fence line, deck, and mature trees on the lot.
How long does a termite inspection take?
45 to 90 minutes for a typical Pompano single-family home. Two-story homes with attic access points and detached garages run closer to two hours. We don’t rush the attic — that’s where most drywood evidence lives.
Do I need to be home for the inspection?
For real-estate transactions, the buyer or buyer’s agent should be present so we can walk findings together and answer questions for negotiation. For homeowner inspections of an occupied home, being home lets us discuss what we find in real time. Exterior-only inspections can be performed once access is arranged.
What is the FDACS-13645 form?
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Official Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection Report. It’s the only termite report Florida lenders and title companies accept for a real-estate closing. It documents active infestations, previous activity, prior treatments, damage, and obstructed areas.
How often should I get a termite inspection?
Annually is the minimum for any Pompano property. Sentricon® and warranty contracts include automatic 12-month re-inspections. Homes near mature ficus or live-oak canopies should consider biannual inspection during spring and fall swarm seasons.
Will the inspector recommend treatment I don’t need?
No — and that is the most important promise we make on this page. If the inspection finds nothing active, the recommendation is “no treatment, schedule annual re-inspection.” You’ll see that on the report in writing, and we will tell you so out loud. Our entire business depends on that not changing.
Book the free inspection.
Same-day in Tier 1 neighborhoods. Next-day in Tier 2. We will identify the species, document it on form 13645, and hand you the options — before you sign anything.