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Bellingham Property Inspection (King of the House, Inc): Carpenter Ants and Wood Destroying Organisms

Those of us who are home inspectors get used to our own lingo. And the realtors who have been in the business for some time understand most of it. Today, I had a reminder, in speaking to a realtor, that all the technical words we inspectors think are common might not be to others. This word, that brought this tedious blog to mind, is an acronym.

Over the years, I have had a number of realtors ask if I inspect for pests -- soon after my showing them a card or telling them that I inspect for WDO's. There is the acronym: WDO. It seems so simple to us inspectors, just like FBI is Federal Bureau of Investigation, WDO is wood destroying organism. Of course, that brings up a sub-category that you probably will not need to know as a realtor, but let me throw in the acronym anyway: WDI. That stands for wood destroying insect. So, when we say WDO, we include in that category fungus such as wood rot and also the insects that damage wood. WDI is only the "bugs." So WDI's are WDO's but WDO's are not all WDI's. Before you thank me for clarifying this, I will tell you that my favorite song is the convoluted tune where, at the end, the guy ends up being his own grandpa.

Since you read all this, here is a treat. This is a head shot (had to be head only as he was otherwise naked and this blog would have been censored) of a WDI who is also a WDO -- as previously explained. Despite being a WDO and a WDI, what a guy, he does not eat wood. With that in mind, anybody care to guess why he is a WDO and a WDI, if wood is not his cuisine of choice.

Pardon me, but how about a bite.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

www.kingofthehouse.com

Bellingham WA home inspections

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector on 07/25/2007 08:53 AM

Comments (10)

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Originally posted at: Steven L. Smith's Blog: Bellingham Property Inspection (King of the House, Inc): Carpenter Ants and Wood Destroying Organisms

10 Comments on Bellingham Property Inspection (King of the House, Inc): Carpenter Ants and Wood Destroying Organisms

JUL

2007

I think we forget the "language barrier" with clients as well. I would guess that this WDI/WDO bores through the wood to make it's home?

Thanks for the great reminders for new and old agents. Looking forwar to more tips.

Scary! Now how do you pronounce "WDO" and "WDI"?

The fellow is less scary when he is shrunk down to life size.But if I did that, you would not be able to see him

Okay Steve, I'm not going to answer this one. I do wish that everyone knew the acronyms because it does get tedious doing this: WDO(Wood Destroying Organism) or WDI(Wood Destroying Insect) on everything I write. Having thus complained about the tedium, I will continue to do it in the above manner anyway. For me, and something that I really work on in my reports, it is harder to not put construction jargon in, because these terms, after thirty years as a contractor, flow out of my mouth naturally. I believe it is very important to write reports in terms that the average person can understand.

David,

If nobody else answers, I guess you can do the honors. Why is this insect classified as a WDO when in fact he spits wood out? And what is he?

Could it be a carpenter ant, I know they destroy wood by creating borrows in them for nesting but don't actually eat the wood.

Michael,

You have it. The ants that damage wood, including the carpenter, build and nest in it. Instead of eating it they spit it back out. In fact, they make holes in lumber where they expel the sawdust. For that reason, when inspecting one is more likely to see sawdust from carpenter ants than the termites -- the termites leave their damage hidden for the most part as they do eat the wood. Carpenter ant sawdust will usually have lots of black specks in it -- dead ant brothers from the work gang and other insects they have dined on and spit back out parts.

Steve

Good job Michael. I might add though that from the front, seeing only the head, there is no positive ID that this specific ant is a Carpenter. Ya gotta see the abdomen where he wears his toolbelt . . . and Steve, does he have a union card?

Now that's one ugly little house-muncher! You're right, it's always good to be sure we're clear on our terminology and that what you mean is what I hear. Thanks for the reminder.

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