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Start outside: pressure + pathways
We look for mud tubes, soil contact, moisture, irrigation patterns, and entry points around the foundation, patios, expansion joints, and utility penetrations.
ARIZONA TERMITE INSPECTION
How to Do a Proper Termite Inspection in Arizona
Walk your property with a proven inspection flow built for Arizona homes — irrigation pressure, stucco/slab transitions, garages, attics, and block wall pathways.
Mobile Walkthrough Checklist
AZ-Specific Flow
Downloadable PDF
Tip: If you found wings, frass, or repeated moisture near the foundation, don’t guess — document it and get clarity.
Add a short walkthrough video (or image) here
Keep this video short (45–90 seconds). On mobile it should feel like part of the card — not a giant full-width block.
Quick Answer
What does a proper termite inspection in Arizona include?
A proper termite inspection in Arizona checks conditions (moisture/irrigation pressure), pathways (stem wall transitions, slab seams, expansion joints, plumbing penetrations), and evidence (mud tubes, frass/pellets, pinholes, paint bubbling, soft wood) across both the exterior and interior — especially for floating slab (stem wall) and post-tension homes where termites can travel through voids without obvious exterior signs.
Exterior
Irrigation lines • foundation transitions • entry points • block wall corridors
Interior
Baseboards • flooring edges/grout cracks • plumbing walls • door/window trim
Attic (as needed)
Drywood indicators: pellets/frass • kick-out holes • roofline penetrations
Gold Palm inspection standard
How We Do Termite Inspections in Arizona Homes
Arizona homes are different. We inspect outside + inside because termites can enter through foundation transitions, plumbing voids, and even show up as activity through tile grout when there are slab cracks — sometimes with no obvious exterior tubes.
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Hot zones: garage + service lines
Garages often reveal slab edges, cold joints, thresholds, water heater stains, and plumbing penetrations — common AZ pathways.
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Then inside: hidden entry can show here first
On stem wall (floating slab) homes, termites can move through expansion gaps and plumbing voids. On post-tension slabs, they can still enter via plumbing penetrations — and activity may present as baseboard changes, pinholes near trim, or through cracked grout on tile.
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Identify termite type + recommend the right path
We confirm whether signs align more with subterranean or drywood activity and map the treatment path (liquid barrier, baiting, foam, or hybrid) based on access and risk.
Gold Palm standard: If exterior evidence is light but conditions point to risk, we still verify the interior zones
where AZ homes commonly hide activity (baseboards, plumbing walls, thresholds, and slab-adjacent flooring).
Arizona-specific hotspots
AZ Hotspots Where Termites Commonly Show Up
Tap a hotspot to see what it looks like, where to check, and why it matters in Arizona homes.
Arizona reality: most confirmed activity we see ties back to moisture + hidden transitions (slab/plumbing paths, wall lines, and shaded zones).
Tap hotspots to update
What to check
Why it matters
The homeowner vs pro gap
What Homeowners Miss — and Pros Are Trained to See
This isn’t about effort. It’s about knowing where Arizona homes hide termite pathways—especially around moisture zones, slab transitions, and plumbing penetrations.
What homeowners usually look for
Visible • Obvious • Exterior-first
- Mud tubes outside only (if it’s not on the exterior, it feels “safe”)
- Visible damage (soft wood, obvious trails, chewed-looking edges)
- One quick pass on a dry day (no repeat checks after irrigation cycles)
- Single-point confirmation (“I checked one area, so the house is fine”)
- All termites behave the same (subterranean vs drywood signs get mixed)
These checks aren’t wrong — they’re just incomplete in Arizona homes where activity can be subtle and path-based.
What pros verify in Arizona
Conditions → Pathways → Evidence
- Moisture mapping (irrigation, shade lines, repeat wet soil at the foundation)
- Slab + plumbing pathways (stem wall/floating slab transitions, post-tension plumbing penetrations)
- Interior indicators (baseboards, door frames, wall/ceiling junctions, flooring edges near walls)
- Garage seams + thresholds (slab edge, wall-to-slab seam, cold joints, utility penetrations)
- Drywood signs up high (attic frass/pellets, kick-out holes, roofline penetrations)
If the exterior looks quiet but conditions line up (moisture + transitions), the interior can show signs first.
That’s why our inspection flow includes both.
Want a confident answer today? Use the checklist for guidance—then book a pro confirmation if anything lines up.
When DIY Inspections Fail
Why homeowners “don’t see anything” — but termites are still there
Most missed activity in Arizona comes from skipping pressure zones and only looking for obvious tubes. If any of the items below match your home, it’s worth getting a professional confirmation.
High intent
AZ-specific
Confidence builder
Only checking what’s easy to see
A quick walk around the house isn’t the same as a structured inspection. Termites win when visibility is limited.
- Skipping corners where landscaping blocks the stem wall
- Not checking garage slab edges and thresholds
- Not documenting moisture lines (drip aim, overspray, low spots)
Not checking plant life pressure zones
Plant life doesn’t “create termites,” but it can create the moisture + cover that makes activity easier to miss.
- Palms: damp bases, skirt piles, planter rings that stay wet
- Trees/shrubs: shaded soil lines near walls and blocked visibility at corners
- Mulch/soil contact: anything piled against stucco/stem walls
Skipping interior signs (mud tubes + pinholes)
Some of the most important clues show up inside — especially near lower walls and wet areas.
- Mud tubes: thin “dirt lines” along baseboards, garage-side walls, or behind stored items
- Pinhole manifestations: tiny holes, small specks, or faint blistering in drywall/paint
- Moisture walls: bathrooms, laundry, kitchen plumbing lines
Quick interior scan: use a flashlight low across the wall at an angle — texture changes and “dirt lines” show up faster.
Assuming the termite type (and checking the wrong places)
Subterranean termites are typically “soil-first.” Drywood termites often show up as pellets (frass) and exit holes. Mixing them up can waste your time.
- Subterranean: prioritize soil/moisture lines, stem walls, garage transitions
- Drywood: prioritize attic framing, window/door trim, frass accumulation
- If you find pellets/frass, get a pro to confirm scope + treatment path
Not Sure What You're Seeing?
Some termite signs are obvious. Others are subtle.
Mud tubes can look like dirt lines. Frass can look like sand. And moisture patterns near the foundation don’t always mean termites — but sometimes they do.
Mobile Checklist • Walk Your Property
Interactive termite inspection checklist (made for your phone)
Tap items as you go. Add quick notes. When you’re done, email the summary to yourself or download it.
Tap to check
Auto summary
Email / download
Progress
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If you find mud tubes, frass/pellets, or repeat moisture near the foundation, take photos and book a pro confirmation.
Quick notes (optional)
Quick notes (optional)
Quick notes (optional)
Quick notes (optional)
Quick notes (optional)
Quick notes (optional)
Inspection → Treatment Path
A simple roadmap from “I’m not sure” to the right next step
This path helps you choose the next best action based on what you found. Tap any step to expand details. Built for Phoenix + East Valley homes.
Clear next steps
Subterranean vs drywood
Homeowner-friendly
Standards & References
Informed by Arizona-specific guidance and industry standards
We don’t build advice from opinions — we align inspection priorities with credible Arizona resources and widely accepted prevention guidance so homeowners can make better decisions.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Termite Control for Homeowners
AZ termite basics, risk factors, and homeowner-friendly prevention principles.
Arizona Department of Agriculture
Termites + Treatment History Tools
State resources and consumer tools related to termite history and guidance.
NPMA (PestWorld)
Termite Prevention Tips
Practical prevention priorities (moisture control, wood-to-soil contact, monitoring).
FAQ
Arizona Termite Inspection FAQs
Quick answers to the questions homeowners ask most in Arizona.
Is a DIY inspection enough? +
DIY is great for awareness — especially if you’re using the mobile checklist on this page.
A professional inspection is for certainty, because termites can travel concealed at transitions
(stucco/slab edges, expansion joints, utility penetrations, and connected block walls).
Rule of thumb: DIY can spot obvious signs (wings/frass/tubes). Pros confirm concealed routes and whether treatment is actually needed.
How long does a termite inspection take? +
Long enough to follow the Arizona flow: exterior triggers first, then garage transitions,
then key interior/attic areas as accessible. Bigger properties and complex layouts take longer.
Will you check the attic? +
If there’s safe access, yes — attic/framing checks matter in Arizona for drywood clues.
If access is unsafe or limited, we document that and explain next steps.
Does an inspection mean I have to treat? +
No. A good inspection gives clarity. If nothing is found, you may only need prevention/monitoring.
If risk is high, we explain the “why.” If activity is confirmed, we explain options — and you decide.
How often should an Arizona home be inspected? +
If your home has irrigation close to the foundation, connected block walls, or repeated moisture on a wall line,
routine checks are smart. Also schedule an inspection anytime you find wings/swarmers, frass, or persistent moisture.
How do I prep for a termite inspection? +
Simple prep makes inspections faster and more accurate:
- Garage access: clear a path along walls if possible.
- Unlock gates: so side yards and block wall lines are accessible.
- Secure pets: for safe perimeter checks.
- Attic hatch: clear the area beneath it (if you have one).
- Tell us what you noticed: wings, frass, soft wood, moisture, irrigation changes.
Final Step • Get Professional Confirmation
Ready to stop guessing?
Whether you found mud tubes, pellets, pinholes, or just high moisture near your foundation — we’ll confirm termite type and build the right plan for your home.
Here’s what you get
- Clear identification (subterranean vs drywood)
- Pressure zone mapping (soil, stem wall, HOA, interior)
- Treatment options explained simply
- No pressure — just a confident next step