FHA Home Loan Appraisals - Pest Control

FHA requires maximum assurances that a home is free of any infestation.  A pest inspection is always required for and structure that is ground level or any structure where the wood touches the ground.  However, structures in a geographic area with no active termite infestation may not require a pest inspection.

New Construction: The builder of a new home, proposed construction, a home under construction and a home less than one year old must provide a warranty against termite infestation in a new home for a minimum of on year. 

All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatments must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with the EPA label instructions.  In some cases where these methods are not feasible, pressure treated wood may be used as a measure of termite protection.  Also, the use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are applied only around the perimeter of the foundation is not acceptable in new construction. 

Termite inspections are not required for streamline refinances with or without an appraisal.