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If you have questions about Arizona Termites email us or call 602.308.4510 Bills Termite Co

Realtors: What is the purpose of a termite report?

What is the purpose of a termite report?

A Phoenix realtor/broker…being sued by her client was asked during a recent deposition. “What is the purpose of a termite report?” The agent with over 16 years experience was caught off guard and could not muster an adequate response. “I think it is to tell if the home has termites!?”

The purpose of a termite report in a real estate transaction is to convey information to the buyer, so they can make the right buying decision. Designed to protect the consumer, the State of Arizona has enacted specific Statutes along with rules and regulations dictating what information should be included on a termite report.

One of the top violations investigated by the State of Arizona is the failure to properly complete a termite report.

A real estate agent/broker is charged with protecting the interests of the client.

As a realtor…do you personally review the termite report? Do you discuss the findings with your client?

The Phoenix realtor/broker being sued…did not. She called title…“Is the report clear?” The escrow officer advised…“It’s clear… no termites.”

That agent/broker has $2000 out of pocket deductible expenses and is being sued for $1.6 million (the cost of the home). Her insurance company hopes to settle for $800,000.

The home in this transaction did not have termites…the inspection reported evidence of previous termite activity and treatment. The sellers who had only lived in the home for 18 months had no knowledge of a previous termite history. The seller’s disclosure reported no known termite history.

Shortly after close of escrow the buyer discovered extensive termite damage during remodeling.

The buyer contends that had his agent properly reviewed the termite report and conveyed the findings… he would have either not bought the home…and/or requested additional information concerning the termite history.

As in many cases the termite report was not signed by the buyer at close of escrow nor was he provided a copy. He was told by the agent/broker that the report was “clear.”

If you want to check the history of a property 602.255.3664 a free service offered by the State of Arizona.

Question of the month:

The contract nor the lender is not requiring a termite report…my buyer wants to know if he should pay for a termite inspection?

Yes…most real estate agents are aware that Phoenix has a healthy termite population and that extensive damage can be caused by a termite infestation. A $50 termite report can be the best insurance for your client and for the agent. You serve your client best when they have as much information as possible to make the right buying decision!


If you have a question(s) sent it to Tustep@aol.com or visit us at http://www.billstermiteco.com/ “We know Arizona termites!”

Termites Swarming in Metro Phoenix

Arizona’s termite season seems to be off to an early start.


Termite swarms in Arizona usually occur during the summer months following afternoon rains.

This year rain totals for Metro Phoenix are up combining with rising temperatures to create conditions conducive to swarming termites.

Local termite expert Bill Trott, owner of Bills Pest and Termite Co reports “Termite swarming calls are up 60% over last year-to-date.”

“This volume of calls is about two months early when compared to years past,” added Trott

The US Department of Agriculture reports over $750 million in damage is caused by termites each year.

According to the Arizona Office of Pest Management, the most common termite in Arizona is the subterranean termite. A good barrier between the ground and the wood in our Arizona homes is extremely important. Homeowners are advised to look for (source: Office of Pest Management):

1. Cracks in foundation walls. It only takes a crack 1/32 of an inch wide to give termites and other wood destroying insects hidden access to your home.

2. Leaking pipes and faucets. Termites as well as other insects, seek out moisture for survival. Leaking pipes can keep wood and soil continually damp and create a perfect home for termites.

3. Wood debris around and under a house. Pieces of scrap lumber or firewood kept next to a structure can support a colony of termites.

4. Sprinkler systems or bubblers placed near the outside wall of a structure. Excessive watering can dilute pesticide treatments around foundation walls.

5. Flower planters. Planters allow hidden and direct access to unprotected siding and cracked stucco when built in direct contact with a house.

6. Trellises and wooden fences. If a trellis or wood fence touches soil and is in contact with a structure, it provides a direct link between the subterranean termites in the soil and wood in the structure.

All of these conditions are things that termites and termite inspectors look for, and so should the homeowner. By eliminating these conditions, you can reduce the risk of infestation. However, it is important to remember that all homes are at risk to termite infestation, and should be inspected by an experienced termite inspector at least once a year.

Bills Pest and Termite Co offers free termite inspections, for more information email us @ Bills Email or call 602.308.4510

So how do I know if I have termites?

How do I know if I have Termites?

Depending upon which “expert” you talk with Arizona has up to 25 different types of termites.




Many of these termite species share common traits…however there is enough of a difference that an untrained homeowner might overlook termite droppings while looking for “mud tubes” and conclude their home is safe from termite infestation.



We recommend that every home in Arizona be inspected at least once a year. Catching a termite infestation early can save a homeowner several thousand dollars in termite damage and depending upon the species can save in treatment costs.



It’s important that a homeowner find an experience termite inspector…who is familiar with all the species of termites found in Arizona. An untrained inspector who simply walks around the exterior looking for mud tubes left by the most common Arizona termite and does not check the interior of a home can miss the most destructive termites found in Arizona.



Bills Pest and Termite offers FREE TERMITE INSPECTIONS to Arizona homeowners. For more information visit one of our websites http://www.billstermiteco.com/.

What are termite stains?

We are buying a home in Peoria and the termite inspector noted “termite stains” on his report. The sellers disclosure reports a termite treatment in 2006 with an active warranty. What are termite stains ? Is this a scam for the termite inspector to sell a treatment?

Many experienced termite technicians will brush down existing termite shelter tubes when treating a structure. Some of the soil used to construct the shelter tube is often left on the drywall and/or stem wall leaving an outline of the former shelter tube. These serve as a follow up “marker” to determine if the treatment(s) was/were effective.

Given that the home has a termite history…visible “termite stains” would not be unusual.

Pursuant to R4-29-413(a) “A wood infestation report shall accurately list or report:” (8) “Visible and accessible evidence of past or present infestation from wood-destroying pests or organisms.”

The termite inspector is required to report “termite stains.”

Box 8E (page one) and Box 20 (page 2) on the termite report (WDIIR) should list supporting information for the previous termite treatment and warranty.

I have termites in my yard should I treat our home?

I recently discovered termites munching on a dying tree in our back yard should we invest in a termite treatment for our home?

We have reports of 20-25 different species of termites noted in Arizona. It is common to find termites around most yards in the greater Phoenix area. While any species of termites can invade a home...most do not.

The mere sight of termites in a yard should not be the sole reason for treating your home.

It should be motivation to get a termite inspection. I recommend that every home in the Valley of the Sun be inspected once a year.

An experience inspector will inspect your home, evaluate the surrounding enviroment, know the history of the neighborhood and provide the information you need to determine if your home should be treated and what type of treatment will provide the best protection.

Most termite companies (including Bills Pest & Termite Co) offer FREE TERMITE inspections..."That's a hard deal to beat!"

Should I pay the home inspector $75 to do a termite inspection?

I’m buying a new home in Glendale…my realtor advises that his home inspector can complete a termite inspection with the home inspection for an additional $75…is this a good price?

The average termite inspection in Phoenix is about $65.

Depending upon the inspectors…it can be a “good price.”

I would caution against the “home inspector” completing the termite inspection.

For the same price…or less…you can have a second set of eyes inspect the home. Two sets of eyes focused on one matter…is usually better than one set of eyes completing two different tasks.

Additionally consider that the average home inspector (in Phoenix) has only been licensed for three years. That home inspector at best averages two inspections per day…while a good termite inspector can average 4-6 per day…giving him/her two or three times the experience.

We have seen an increase in civil litigation involving home inspectors completing termite reports.

As a note to your realtor…I would advise against recommending a home or termite inspector…as a professional charged with “protecting the interests of the client” they often share in the liability when the matter goes south.

It is better to recommend 2 or 3 inspectors and advise the client to research each before selecting one.

When a claim is made…the realtor and broker fork over their deductible leaving the matter in the hands of the insurance company that often pays off the claimant rather than endure the expense to defend. Leaving the realtor/broker with a tarnished reputation, pissed off client and out $1,000 to $5,000 in deductible.

Should I get a termite inspection for the home I'm buying?

"I'm buying a new home in Glendale...my realtor recommended a home inspector who asked if I wanted to add a termite inspection to his service for an additional $75...should I do this and is this a good price?"

I recommend every home buyer get a termite and home inspection prior to agreeing to purchase any home in the Metro Phoenix area.

$75 is a fair price for a good termite inspection...the average price in Phoenix is around $65.

I will caution against the home inspector completing the termite inspection. For the same price you can have two sets of eyes inspect focused on one matter each verse one set of eyes trying to complete two tasks.

Additionally...the average home inspector has less than three years experience as a termite inspector. At best that home inspector completes two inspections a day while a good termite inspector can complete 4-6 a day. Thus giving the termite inspector 2-3 times the experience.

As always I advise that the termite inspection be completed at the beginning of the "10 day inspection period" so that you have time to review the report and make additional requests for information and/or follow up inspections.