Pests & Wood-Destroying Organisms.
Pests do more than annoy — wood-destroying insects and rodents can quietly cause real structural and health problems. Here’s the evidence we look for and how to keep critters out.
What we check during an inspection
We note visible evidence and conducive conditions. A full wood-destroying-organism (WDO) report is a specialist service.
✓ Insect evidence
Signs of termites or carpenter ants — mud tubes, frass, or damaged wood — where visible.
✓ Rodent evidence
Droppings, nests, and gnawing in attics, crawlspaces, and along the structure.
✓ Conducive conditions
Wood-to-soil contact, moisture, and debris that invite pests.
✓ Entry points
Gaps, unscreened vents, and utility penetrations that let pests in.
✓ Compromised wood
Wood that looks damaged or sounds hollow in accessible areas.
✓ Moisture overlap
Because moisture attracts pests, we connect the two where we see them.
Common problems we find
✓ Wood-to-soil contact
Framing, siding, or posts touching soil — an open invitation to termites and rot.
✓ Insect damage
Carpenter ant or termite damage discovered in framing.
✓ Rodents above & below
Activity in attics and crawlspaces that ruins insulation and leaves droppings.
✓ Open entry points
Unsealed penetrations and gaps around the foundation.
✓ Debris against the house
Firewood and mulch piled against the foundation.
✓ Moisture magnets
Damp areas drawing pests in.
What you can maintain yourself
✓ Move wood & mulch away
Keep firewood and heavy mulch off the foundation.
✓ Seal entry points
Close gaps around pipes, vents, and the foundation, and screen vents.
✓ Eliminate moisture
Fix damp areas — moisture is the number-one pest attractant.
✓ Trim vegetation
Keep plants and branches off the house.
✓ Store food & trash securely
Deny easy meals and watch for droppings.
✓ Call a pro for evidence
Signs of termites or persistent rodents warrant a licensed pest professional or a WDO inspection.
Front Range pest realities
✓ Mice are the main event
Colorado’s signature pest problem isn’t termites — it’s rodents. Deer mice (a hantavirus carrier) move into foothills homes every fall; sealing entry points beats trapping every time.
✓ Termites exist here — quietly
Subterranean termites are less common than in humid states but absolutely present along the Front Range. Wood-to-soil contact and moist foundations are what invite them.
✓ Carpenter ants love our decks
Moist, weathered deck framing and log construction are carpenter-ant habitat. Sawdust-like frass below wood members is the tell we look for.
✓ Bigger neighbors too
Woodpeckers drilling siding, bats in gable vents, raccoons in chimneys — mountain-adjacent homes collect wildlife stories. Screening and sealing are the boring, effective answers.
Common questions
Are termites a problem in Colorado?
Less than in the humid South, but yes — subterranean termites live along the Front Range and we find their damage. Risk concentrates where wood meets soil and where foundations stay damp. Colorado’s dry climate means infestations build slower, which cuts both ways: less common, and often further along when finally noticed.
How do mice keep getting into my house?
Through gaps you’d never guess — a mouse needs about a dime-sized opening. Usual suspects: garage door corners, utility penetrations, gaps under siding, and unscreened vents. Fall is entry season as temperatures drop. Exclusion (steel wool + sealant + screening) is the fix; traps alone are a subscription, not a solution.
What is hantavirus and should I worry about mouse droppings?
Deer mice in our region can carry hantavirus, which spreads through particles from droppings, urine, and nests. Never dry-sweep or vacuum a heavy accumulation — wet it down with a 10% bleach solution, wait, and wipe with gloves, or hire a pro for attics and crawlspaces with significant activity. Colorado records a handful of cases most years; caution is warranted, panic isn’t.
What’s the difference between a home inspection and a WDO inspection?
A home inspection notes visible pest evidence and the conditions that invite it. A wood-destroying-organism (WDO) inspection is a dedicated, often lender-required report by a licensed pest professional with its own standards and form. If we see suspicious wood damage, our report will say so and point you to the specialist.
Does mulch against the house really attract termites?
Thick mulch holds moisture against the foundation and gives insects covered highway to the siding — termites, carpenter ants, and earwigs all appreciate it. Keep mulch a few inches below siding, pull it back from the foundation, and in wildfire country replace the first five feet with rock anyway — the fire rule and the pest rule agree here.
This guide is for general education. It reflects what we look for during a home inspection, not a substitute for a licensed professional. If you have a specific concern, please contact a licensed pest control professional — and of course, we’re always happy to take a look during an inspection.
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Read →Concerned about your pests & wood-destroying organisms?
We’ll give your home a thorough, plain-English inspection and flag anything worth a closer look.