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Do I Have Termites?
Upload a photo of suspected damage for an instant AI assessment — covering termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter insects, fungal decay, and all wood-destroying organisms California inspectors look for.
Powered by AI trained on California Branch 3 WDO inspection criteria · License #PR7791
What the Tool Can Identify
Trained on all California Section 1 and Section 2 WDO categories — the same organisms a licensed inspector looks for.
Termites
- Drywood termites — frass, kickout holes, galleries
- Subterranean termites — mud tubes, moisture damage
- Dampwood termites — large galleries in wet wood
Wood-Boring Beetles
- Powderpost beetles — fine powder frass, 1–2mm holes
- Old house borers — oval exit holes, rippled wood
- Deathwatch beetles — small holes, granular frass
Carpenter Insects
- Carpenter ants — smooth galleries, exterior sawdust
- Carpenter bees — round ½-inch holes, yellow staining
Fungal Wood Decay
- Brown rot — brown cubical cracking, dry and crumbly
- White rot — bleached/white, stringy or spongy wood
- Wet rot — soft, dark, moisture-saturated wood
- Surface mold — fuzzy growth, usually not structural
Tips for the Best Results
Get Close — Within 12 Inches
The AI needs to see surface detail clearly. Wide shots don't give enough information. Get your phone within 12 inches of the suspected damage before shooting.
Use Good Lighting
Turn on your flash for dark areas like crawlspaces, attics, and under-cabinet spaces. Natural daylight works well for exterior damage. Avoid strong shadows across the damage area.
Focus Before Shooting
Tap the screen on the suspected damage before taking the photo. A blurry photo will return an 'unclear' result. Take 2–3 photos and choose the sharpest one.
Show the Full Damage Area
Capture the complete area of concern — the size and distribution of damage helps the AI identify the likely organism. Include some surrounding wood for context.
What to Do After Your Assessment
Note the finding and take additional photos
If the AI detects WDO activity, take 2–3 additional close-up photos from different angles. This gives the licensed inspector more information when they arrive.
Schedule a free in-person inspection
AI analysis is a useful first step, but it can't assess hidden areas, structural damage, or the full extent of infestation. Schedule a free in-person inspection to confirm findings and get a written report.
Don't treat before inspecting
Avoid applying store-bought treatments before a professional inspection. Improper treatment can mask evidence, make identification harder, and leave an infestation partially untreated. Get the inspection first.
Common Wood-Destroying Organisms in Southern California
Drywood Termites
The most common WDO in Southern California. They live entirely within dry wood — no soil contact needed. Key signs: hexagonal frass pellets (look like coffee grounds or sawdust) below infested wood, tiny kickout holes in wood surfaces, hollow sound when tapping. Found in fascia, attic framing, window frames, and furniture.
Subterranean Termites
Live underground and travel to wood through mud tubes. More destructive per colony than drywood termites — a mature colony can contain millions of individuals. Key signs: pencil-width mud tubes along foundations or walls, damaged wood near soil contact, buckling floors or walls near moisture. Most common in areas with soil-to-wood contact.
Powderpost Beetles
The second most common WDO after termites in California. Larvae tunnel through hardwood, bamboo, and some softwoods. Key signs: fine, flour-like powder (frass) around small round exit holes 1–2mm diameter. Often found in hardwood floors, trim, furniture, and structural hardwood. Active infestations produce fresh powder around exit holes.
Carpenter Ants
Do not eat wood but excavate galleries to nest. Damage is slower than termites but can become significant in structural wood over time. Key signs: smooth, clean galleries (no frass inside), coarse sawdust-like debris outside galleries, large black or red-black ants near infested wood. Often associated with moisture-damaged wood.
Brown Rot
Fungal decay that breaks down the cellulose in wood, leaving brown lignin behind. The damaged wood breaks into brown cubes or crumbles easily — this is called 'cubical checking.' Brown rot is found in areas with chronic moisture exposure: subfloor framing, exterior sills, bathroom framing, and any wood near plumbing leaks.
Conditions Conducive to WDO
California WDO inspectors document conditions that don't yet show active infestation but create high risk: wood-to-soil contact (gives termites direct access), standing water under structures, wood debris stored against foundations, faulty plumbing creating moisture, and inadequate ventilation in crawlspaces. Addressing these conditions prevents future infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the AI WDO photo assessment?
The tool performs well on clear, well-lit close-up photos of damaged areas. It identifies common visual signs across all WDO categories — frass, mud tubes, exit holes, decay patterns, and conducive conditions. It is not a substitute for a licensed inspector, who can access hidden areas, tap and probe wood, and assess structural integrity. Use it as a first step before scheduling a professional inspection.
Is the WDO photo check tool really free?
Yes — completely free. No account, no login, no credit card. You get 3 free AI analyses per day. The daily limit resets at midnight.
What types of photos work best?
Close-up (within 12 inches), well-lit, in-focus photos of the suspected damage area. Good subjects: frass piles, mud tubes, exit holes in wood, discolored or soft wood, visible galleries. Avoid blurry, dark, or very wide-angle shots.
What wood-destroying organisms can the AI identify?
All California WDO categories: drywood, subterranean, and dampwood termites; powderpost beetles, old house borers, and deathwatch beetles; carpenter ants and carpenter bees; brown rot, white rot, wet rot, and surface mold; plus conditions conducive to infestation.
Want a Licensed Inspector to Confirm in Person?
Free inspection, no obligation. Our CA-licensed inspectors cover all WDO categories — termites, beetles, fungal decay, and more. Serving Orange County, LA County, Inland Empire, and Riverside County.