Your termite report is full of sections, codes, and findings that aren't obvious at a glance. Here's how to actually read one and know what to prioritize.
You get a termite inspection, and back comes a report full of sections, diagrams, and findings — and it's not always obvious what any of it means for you. Reading it correctly is what turns a confusing document into an actionable plan. Here's how to make sense of a termite (WDO) report.
Section 1 vs. Section 2 — Start Here
The most important thing to understand is how findings are categorized, because it drives everything else:
| Section 1 | Section 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Means | Active infestation or existing damage | Conditions *likely to lead* to infestation/damage |
| Examples | Live termites, fungus damage, damaged wood | Earth-to-wood contact, leaks, poor ventilation, debris |
| Priority | Address first — often required before a home sale closes | Preventive; important but usually not urgent |
When you read your report, sort the findings into these two buckets first. Section 1 items are the real, present problems. Section 2 items are conditions worth fixing to prevent future problems. Our deeper post on Section 1 and Section 2 reports breaks this down further.
What Else Is in the Report
- The findings list — each item, its location, and what was observed.
- A diagram — a sketch of the structure marking where findings are.
- Recommendations — the treatment or correction proposed for each item.
- "Further inspection" items — areas the inspector couldn't fully access. These aren't findings of termites; they're flags that a spot (a blocked wall, an inaccessible attic section) needs to be opened up to inspect. Don't ignore them — they represent unknowns, not all-clears.
Reading the Recommendations
For each finding, the report proposes an action. What to look for: does the recommended treatment match the finding (localized for a contained spot, whole-structure for spread or uncertainty)? A report that recommends whole-structure fumigation should have findings that justify it. If the recommendation and the findings don't line up, that's a fair question to ask — and a reason to get a second opinion. Our post on choosing a termite company covers what a trustworthy report and recommendation look like.
What to Prioritize
1. Section 1 first — active infestation and existing damage. These are the real problems.
2. "Further inspection" items — resolve the unknowns; a blocked area could be hiding a Section 1 finding.
3. Section 2 conditions — fix the moisture and wood-to-soil issues that invite future activity, especially since leaving them can void a warranty.
In a Home Sale
If the report is tied to a transaction, Section 1 items are usually what escrow and the lender want cleared, and clearance is issued once they're resolved — see WDO inspection for a home sale. Read it as both a to-do list and a negotiating document.
The Bottom Line
A termite report is readable once you know the structure: Section 1 is what's wrong now, Section 2 is what could go wrong, "further inspection" is what's still unknown, and the recommendations should match the findings. If anything in yours is unclear, a free inspection — or a second opinion on an existing report — is worth getting before you commit to a treatment plan. Our post on what an inspection includes covers how the report is produced.