Georgia (Termite Reports) On Our Minds ...

Advisory Report - June 2003

Georgia (Termite Reports) On Our Minds ...

The Georgia Wood Destroying Insect Report, due to its unique scope and format, often creates questions and debate within the real estate community. Recent changes in the Rules of Georgia Structural Pest Control may stir additional questions and debate.

Not to worry, the changes to the Georgia WDI Report are relatively subtle and only affect the liability of a pest control company issuing wood destroying insect reports.

In the past, Georgia Pest Control operators who issued a wood destroying insect report, were responsible to provide localized treatment on a property if an area showed signs of infestation within 90 days of the issuance of the report. The liability was incurred regardless of whether or not the infestation was new or if the inspector had been negligent in his inspection.

However, the new laws, effective Feb. 1, 2003, state in 620-6-.03 that, 

Such instrument shall carry a guarantee that, if an infestation of wood destroying organisms from which apparent freedom is certified, is found within ninety (90) days from date of issuance, the infested structure(s) shall be treated by the licensee, free of charge subject to the following:

(a) Subterranean Termites – Structures will receive a full minimum adequate treatment pursuant to Paragraph 620-6-.04. However, if a structure has received a full minimum adequate treatment within the past one (1) year, a partial treatment may be made to at least 10 feet in either direction of any and all areas of termite infestation except as defined in Rule 620-6-.07(5).

The new section refers to subterranean termite treatment and differs in that pest control operators, in the event of a successful claim being made against them for a house showing signs of infestation by subterranean termites within 90 days, would be responsible for a full treatment of the property. However, the new rule does say that a partial treatment is acceptable if the property has been treated within the last year. 

So, what does this mean for Georgia termite inspectors? Probably a bit more caution at issuing termite letters for real estate closings. More and more, pest control companies in the U.S. are either not offering termite letters as a part of their services or they are requiring that they treat the property to issue a letter. Increased attempts at customer service, coupled with increases in litigation and consumer awareness are contributors to this and other changes nationwide in wood destroying insect reporting. 

Contributed by Daniel Sebastianelli
Senior Specialist, Environmental Division
U.S. Inspect, LLC