A WDO inspection (Wood Destroying Organism inspection) in Mobile, AL is a visual inspection of all accessible structural wood for active and prior infestation by termites, beetles, carpenter ants, and wood-decay fungus. The inspector documents findings on the Alabama Wood Infestation Report (NPMA-33 form) – the document lenders require before closing on most Mobile and Baldwin county homes.
What does a WDO inspection cover?
The inspector visually checks every accessible area for evidence of wood-destroying organisms and the conducive conditions that support them. The standard inspection includes:
- Foundation exterior and slab perimeter
- Crawl space (where present) – piers, joists, sill plates, band board
- Interior baseboards, window frames, door frames
- Garage perimeter and door frame
- Attic framing, including bottom chord of trusses
- Bath traps and kitchen sink cabinets (common moisture intrusion points)
- Visible deck and porch framing
- Conducive conditions: wood-to-soil contact, moisture issues, drainage
WDO Inspection in Mobile, AL (Termite Letter / NPMA-33 / Wood Infestation Report)
A Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection — also called
a termite letter, NPMA-33, Wood Infestation Report (WIR), or CL-100
— is required for most VA, FHA, HUD, and conventional-loan real
estate transactions in Alabama. The inspection must be performed by an
ADAI WDC (Wood Destroying Organisms Certified Operator) or WDS
(Supervisor). Call the number below to reach a WDC-certified inspector
covering Mobile or Baldwin County for a real-estate-cycle inspection.
What a WDO inspection is in Alabama
In Alabama, the inspection is officially the Alabama Wood
Infestation Report, documented on the NPMA-33
form (the National Pest Management Association’s standardized form,
accepted by VA, FHA, HUD, and most conventional lenders). The inspector
records visible evidence of active or prior infestation by:
- Subterranean termites (Formosan, eastern, dark southeastern)
- Drywood termites (southeastern drywood)
- Wood-boring beetles (powderpost, old-house borer)
- Carpenter ants
- Carpenter bees
- Wood-decaying fungi
The inspector also identifies conducive conditions and notes any
prior treatment.
Mobile / Baldwin timing realities
- Most Mobile / Eastern Shore closings require the WDO inspection
inside the standard 30-day pre-closing window;
lenders increasingly require even tighter dating. - Hurricane season (Jun–Nov, peak Sep) compresses scheduling
for inspectors after major weather events. - Premium-market Eastern Shore properties (Point Clear, Fairhope
historic district, Ono Island) often require detailed inspections of
piers, boathouses, and outbuildings beyond the main residence.
Alabama Waiver Form (Rule 80-10-9-.20) clearance criteria
To issue a “clear” Wood Infestation Report, the inspector must verify
and document the following structural clearance criteria:
- 8 inches minimum clearance between girders and
soil - 12 inches minimum clearance between floor joists
and soil - All wood-to-soil contacts broken (porch steps,
deck posts, planter boxes against the foundation, mulch piled against
siding) - All cellulose debris removed from crawl space and
perimeter - Mud tubes scraped from sill line and pier faces
- Voids drilled and treated if previous infestation
was visible - Dirt-filled porches and carports treated
What the WDC-licensed inspector will do on site
- Inspect crawl space or slab perimeter, sill plates, piers, framing,
attic. - Probe suspicious wood and check for mud tubes.
- Document active or prior treatment, prior repairs, treatment
stickers, and any existing termite bond. - Provide the completed NPMA-33 form to the seller’s agent, buyer,
and lender. - If the report is not clear, write a treatment / repair quote.
If the report is not clear
Common findings in Mobile and Baldwin transactions include active
Formosan or eastern subterranean termites, dry-wood evidence in older
framing, wood-decaying fungus in crawl spaces, and carpenter bee damage
in cedar trim. A failed report does not always kill a transaction
— the WDC inspector can typically scope a treatment-plus-bond
plan, and lenders may accept treatment-and-warranty in lieu of a clear
report. See the termite control
overview.
Cost expectations
Typical Mobile / Baldwin WDO inspection cost ranges run from
approximately $100 to $199 stand-alone, with bundles into treatment or
bond at $275+. Pricing varies by home size, accessibility (slab vs.
crawl), and whether outbuildings / piers are included. The dispatched
inspector quotes on the call. For broader context see the
WDO inspection cost guide
(in production).
ADAI categories that apply
WDO inspection and reporting requires WDC (Wood
Destroying Organisms Certified Operator) or WDS
(Supervisor). Treatment work may also involve HPC
and, for fumigation, FC. See
ADAI licensing reference.
Service areas covered
Related
- Termite letter for closing
- Termite control overview
- Formosan termite
- Termite treatment cost
- ADAI licensing
- Contact
Frequently asked questions
Are the technicians ADAI-licensed?
Yes. Every operator the call routes to is certified by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) under HPC (Household Pest Control), WDC (Wood Destroying Organisms — required for termite letters / NPMA-33), or FC (Fumigation Pest Control). ADAI licensing is administered under Chapter 28, Title 2, Code of Alabama 1975 and Chapter 80-1-13 of the Alabama Administrative Code.
What’s the typical response time?
Routine dispatch: under 60 seconds on the call. On-site arrival: 2–4 hours during business hours (7am–9pm CT, 7 days) for most Mobile County and Baldwin County service areas. Emergency calls are routed to operators on 24/7 on-call rotation.
Do you cover my area in Mobile or Baldwin County?
The network covers all of Mobile County and Baldwin County, including Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Saraland, Tillman’s Corner, Theodore, and surrounding zip codes. See the full service area list.
What does pest control cost?
Pricing is set by the dispatched licensed operator, not by Mobile Alabama Exterminators. Published industry ranges: general pest service $90–$280/month, termite treatment $1,200–$2,500+, WDO inspection $100–$199, bed bug heat $1,500–$4,500+. See termite cost and bed bug cost guides.
Why choose Mobile Alabama Exterminators?
Broader coverage, faster response (the closest operator is dispatched), no pressure to upsell into a single brand’s bond or plan. Our technicians hold the appropriate ADAI license category for the work performed (HPC, WDC, or FC).
Related Mobile + Baldwin County coverage
Daphne
Fairhope
Spanish Fort
Foley
Gulf Shores
Orange Beach
Saraland
Termite Control
Bed Bug Treatment
WDO Inspection
Emergency Pest Control
Smaller Mobile + Baldwin County communities also covered
Bayou La Batre
Chickasaw
Satsuma
Prichard
Semmes
Mount Vernon
Citronelle
Wilmer
Grand Bay
Dauphin Island
Loxley
Magnolia Springs
Point Clear
Robertsdale
Silverhill
Summerdale
Elberta
Lillian
Stapleton
Perdido
Spring Hill
Midtown Mobile
West Mobile
Old Dauphin Way
The Alabama Wood Infestation Report (NPMA-33) signed by a WDC-certified inspector is what lenders mean when they require a “termite letter” — see the termite letter for real-estate closing reference for the closing-specific document workflow.
For homeowners weighing whether to maintain a termite bond beyond the closing-cycle requirement, the is a termite bond worth it in Mobile reference walks through the math.
The Alabama Wood Infestation Report (NPMA-33) is the standard form used by ADAI WDC-certified inspectors (ADAI Structural Pest Control Section).
NPMA publishes the WDIIR form template and the national professional standard for wood-destroying-organism inspection (National Pest Management Association).
Alabama is one of the strictest states in the country on structural pest control regulation. The ADAI Structural Pest Control Section regulates four primary applicator categories — WDC (Wood Destroying Organisms Certified Operator), WDS (WDO Supervisor), FC (Fumigation Pest Control Certified Operator), and GPC (General Pest Control) — each with separate testing, continuing education, and annual renewal. (Source: ADAI Structural Pest Control rules, Title 80 Alabama Administrative Code.)
The International Residential Code (IRC) Figure R301.2(7) places Mobile and Baldwin counties in Termite Infestation Probability Zone #1 — “very heavy” — the highest pressure zone in the continental US, alongside southern Louisiana and southern Florida. (Source: ICC International Residential Code 2024 edition, Figure R301.2(7).)
Mobile County housing stock skews older than the national median, with a significant share of pre-1980 single-family structures — and pre-1980 framing is more vulnerable to subterranean termite damage than later code-compliant construction. (Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates for Mobile County housing characteristics.)