GLOSSARY OF TERMS

This is intended for educational purposes.

COMMONLY MISUSED TERMS:

Is actually a wood destroying pests and organisms’ inspection report
Has a format dictated by State law.
Includes wood damaging insects (infestations such as termites, wood eating beetles, wood destroying ants and bees)
Includes wood destroying fungi (infections)
Includes conditions that have caused or might cause wood destroying organisms.
Includes damage caused by wood destroying organisms.

Is actually a Notice of Work Completed and Not Completed
Is linked to a specific termite report.
Includes work completed, work not completed and secondary substandard items completed.
Includes price of work completed.

The word “clearance” has no official meaning in a termite report but is commonly used when referring to a certification.
There are 3 official certifications that can be used on an inspection report and completion notice. They are found in the California State Business and Professions Code under the Structural Pest Control Act. They are used to certify that:

A property has no wood destroying organisms, damage, or conditions that have lead to wood destroying organisms (used on an inspection report with no Section I recommendations).
A property no longer has infestations or infections of any of these conditions mentioned above (Section I) (used after Section I work is completed).
A property has had some of the conditions mentioned above (Section I) corrected, but some still remain. (Considered a limited or partial certification).

Once we have made a primary recommendation, we can list other options but only if the owner or agent has requested it.
These recommendations are referred to as secondary measures. They are usually considered substandard and are seldom guaranteed.

Are conditions found that involve infestations and/or infections, damage caused by infestations or infections and/or conditions that have resulted in infestations and/or infections.

Are conditions found that might lead to infestations or infections but where they have not yet occurred.

Are findings of areas of a structure that are usually subject to attack by wood destroying organisms but where correctable conditions are preventing access to these areas. This category of finding may also include areas where evidence causes suspicion that wood destroying organisms may exist and opening walls, ceilings or other enclosed areas is considered necessary to prove or disprove that suspicion.

TYPES OF REPORTS:

Is a report where the owner or agent has requested some areas of the structure not be included.

Is a termite colony that lives in the wood itself (no connection with the ground) and are only found in mild/warm climate. They enter a structure by flying in from other infested wood. Colonies develop slow but once established in a structure they are very difficult to spot treat (5 or more years from entry). Mature colonies produce swarms of male and female reproductive flying termites in late summer through early fall on hot days (8 or more years old).

Is a termite colony that lives in the ground and comes up to search for wood as a food supply. They enter a structure by finding an earth to wood contact, building mud shelter tubes up foundations or finding their way through cracks or seams in slab floors or foundations. Mature colonies produce swarms of male and female reproductive flying termites whenever bright sun follows rain.

Are also called alates.
Are flying reproductive male and female termites. They are produced in great numbers by well established, mature and usually large termite colonies. Their purpose is to find a suitable place to burrow in, lay eggs and establish a new termite colony.

Fungi are like plants except they do not need sunlight and their seeds are usually microscopic and airborne (known as spores). Some of these fungi are wood destroying. Wherever the conditions are right (climate, moisture, wood and air) these fungi will grow and damage wood in structures, which is known as dryrot.