Southwest Florida sits in one of the highest termite-pressure regions in the country — warm, humid, and active year-round. A termite inspection, known in Florida as a WDO (Wood-Destroying Organism) inspection, is a focused inspection by a licensed termite inspector that finds the organisms quietly working through a home's structure — and produces the WDO report a lender or sale often requires before closing.
What a termite (WDO) inspection finds
Florida's WDO inspection covers more than termites alone. As licensed termite inspectors, we locate and identify subterranean termites (including the aggressive Formosan species), drywood termites, wood-decaying fungi, and powderpost beetles — the full set of organisms the state report addresses. We document live activity, past damage, and the conditions that invite them in: moisture, wood-to-ground contact, and poor drainage. We're inspectors, not a treatment company — we identify the problem and partner with a third party to issue the official WDO report your lender accepts.
It's a separate inspection — here's what that means
A standard home inspection will note visible signs of termites if we come across them, but the full termite/WDO inspection is its own service with its own report, and it isn't included in a home inspection's scope unless you book it. If your purchase or lender calls for a WDO report — or you simply want the home checked properly given how common termites are here — add a termite inspection to your booking and we'll generate a separate report for it.
Free WDO reports for service members & VA loans
VA loans in Florida require both a WDO report and well water testing before closing — they're mandatory, not optional. We're proud to make that easier for the people who served: Patriot provides the WDO report free for service members and VA-loan buyers, and offers well water testing at a discount, covering only the lab fees and our travel. If you're buying with a VA loan, tell us up front and we'll take care of both requirements together. See our VA loan inspection requirements page for the full rundown.
Why Southwest Florida homes are high-risk
The same climate that makes Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral great places to live makes them ideal for termites. Activity runs year-round here, and both subterranean and drywood termites are common — in new construction and decades-old homes alike. By the time damage shows on the surface, the colony has usually been working a while. An inspection catches it while it's still a manageable problem instead of a structural one.
What a termite inspection costs
Pricing depends on the size and type of property, and it's often most economical added to your home inspection. See the full breakdown in our termite inspection cost guide, or call (239) 826-5866 for a quote on your specific property. VA-loan buyers: ask about the free WDO report.
Termite inspection near you in Southwest Florida
We serve buyers and homeowners across the region, including: