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What Does a Pest Inspection Include?
A professional pest inspection is a methodical walk-through of your whole home — inside, outside, attic, crawlspace, and perimeter. Here is exactly what a technician checks, the problems an inspection turns up, what it does not cover, and how to prepare.
A professional pest inspection is far more than a quick look around. It is a structured walk-through of your entire home — interior, exterior, attic, crawlspace, garage, and the perimeter — to find live pests, the evidence they leave behind, and the conditions that attract them. A good inspector tells you what is happening, shows you the proof, and lays out your options.
Expect the inspector to check every accessible area, identify the pest and its source, document the evidence with photos, and give you written findings with a recommended plan. For a home sale, the equivalent is a licensed WDO report.
The areas a pest inspection covers
Pests get in low and hide high. That is why a real inspection follows the structure from the ground up rather than stopping at the living space.
What gets checked, area by area
| Area | What the technician looks for |
|---|---|
| Exterior & perimeter | Cracks, gaps, wood-to-soil contact, mud tubes, nests, and entry points |
| Foundation & crawlspace | Subterranean termite tubes, moisture, dry rot, rodent runways |
| Attic | Drywood termite frass, rodent droppings and nests, gnawed wiring |
| Kitchen & bathrooms | Cockroach harborage, ant trails, plumbing-gap entry, moisture |
| Garage & storage | Rodent entry, spiders, stored-product pests, cardboard harborage |
| Interior walls & windows | Swarmer wings, bed bug evidence, frass, hollow-sounding wood |
The problems an inspection turns up
Most of what an inspector finds is invisible to an untrained eye until it is pointed out. The common findings on Fresno-area homes include subterranean termite mud tubes on the foundation, drywood termite frass (tiny pellets) on windowsills, rodent droppings and pencil-width entry gaps in the attic, rust-colored bed bug spotting in mattress seams, cockroach egg cases behind appliances, and moisture or earth-to-wood contact that invites termites and rot.
These are not just cosmetic issues. The CDC links rodent droppings and cockroach allergens to real health risks — rodents can spread disease and cockroach debris is a well-documented asthma trigger — which is part of why catching an infestation early matters beyond the structure itself.
What a pest inspection does NOT cover
A pest inspection is focused on pests and the conditions that attract them — it is not a general home inspection. It will not assess your roof, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC the way a home inspector does, and it is not the same as the licensed WDO report a lender needs (that is a specific structural-pest report). If you are in a transaction, you typically need all three checked: a home inspection, a WDO report, and any pest treatment that turns up.
How to prepare for your inspection
A few minutes of prep makes the inspection far more complete: clear access to the attic hatch, the garage walls, the water-heater closet, and under-sink cabinets; move stored boxes a foot or two off the perimeter walls; and trim back any plants touching the house. The more the inspector can reach, the fewer areas get marked “inaccessible.” The EPA also recommends sealing the entry points and moisture sources an inspection identifies as the first line of long-term prevention.
General pest inspection vs. WDO inspection
A general pest inspection scopes any pest problem — termites, rodents, roaches, ants, spiders — and recommends treatment. A WDO inspection is the specialized, licensed report focused on wood-destroying organisms that California home sales require. If you are buying or selling, you need the WDO report; if you just want to know what is going on in your home, a general inspection is the place to start.
See all our inspections →Pest inspection FAQ
How long does a pest inspection take?
A typical residential pest inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the home and how accessible the attic and crawlspace are. A full WDO/real-estate inspection can take longer because every accessible area must be documented.
Do I need to do anything to prepare?
Clear access to the attic hatch, the garage, under-sink cabinets, and the perimeter of the house. Move stored boxes away from walls where you can. The more the inspector can reach, the more complete the findings.
Will the inspector treat pests during the visit?
An inspection is about identifying the problem and scoping the fix. If treatment is needed, we explain it and schedule it — some quick issues can be handled same-visit, but most treatment plans are booked separately.
Is a pest inspection worth it if I do not see pests?
Often yes. The most damaging pests — subterranean and drywood termites, rodents in the attic — work out of sight. An inspection catches them early, before the repair bill grows.
How often should I have my home inspected?
For Central Valley homes, a pest inspection every one to two years is sensible, and sooner if you notice droppings, swarmers, frass, or new pest activity. Homes under a termite warranty are typically inspected annually.
Does a pest inspection check for bed bugs and rodents too?
Yes. A general pest inspection covers bed bug evidence, rodent activity and entry points, cockroaches, ants, and spiders — not just termites. We confirm what is present and scope the right treatment for each.
How much does a pest inspection cost in Fresno?
It depends on the property and the type of inspection. We offer a no-cost inspection for most homeowner pest concerns and quote real-estate WDO reports up front. Call (559) 472-8200 for a clear price.
Want to know what is really going on in your home?
Call (559) 472-8200 or request an inspection — a licensed Fresno technician will check every accessible area and give you clear, documented findings.