Selling a House With Termite Damage in Florida: Inspections, Tenting and Disclosure

Selling a house with termite damage in Florida is more common than most owners think, and it can go smoothly if you deal with it early and in writing. Termites thrive in our warm, humid climate. As a result, buyers here expect a wood-destroying organism inspection on almost every sale. This guide explains the two main kinds of termites, how the Florida WDO report works, what treatment and repair look like, what you must disclose, and how a termite history can affect your price in Palm Beach County, Hobe Sound and Port St. Lucie.

Key takeaways

• Florida has two main termite groups that matter to sellers: drywood termites, which live inside wood, and subterranean termites, which live in the soil.
• Drywood termites are often treated by tenting or spot treatment. Subterranean termites are treated with soil termiticides or baits, not tenting.
• Florida WDO inspections must be done through a licensed pest control company on a state form. The report covers only visible, accessible areas and is not a guarantee.
• Under Johnson v. Davis, Florida sellers must disclose known facts that materially affect value and that a buyer cannot readily see.
• You can treat and repair, offer a credit, or sell as is. Paperwork showing treatment and a transferable warranty helps in every case.

Drywood vs. subterranean termites in Florida

Knowing which termite you have shapes everything that follows. University of Florida IFAS describes the main types this way.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites live inside sound, dry wood, such as framing, trim, furniture and attic beams. Their colonies tend to be small and stay inside the wood they infest. The usual sign is tiny six-sided fecal pellets that spill from small "kick-out" holes and pile up like sand.

Subterranean and Formosan termites

Subterranean termites nest in the ground and travel up into the home through mud tubes. Those tubes, often found on foundation walls, are the classic warning sign. Formosan and Asian subterranean termites are invasive species that also spread in Florida. Their colonies can be very large, so they can cause serious damage if no one catches them.

Both groups swarm. Winged termites often show up in spring, and some species swarm in the fall. A pile of shed wings near a window is worth a closer look.

How the Florida WDO inspection works

Most Florida buyers order a wood-destroying organism inspection, or WDO, during their inspection period. On the standard Florida Realtors and Florida Bar "AS IS" contract, that period is 15 days unless the parties write in a different number. The buyer can cancel for any reason during that window.

Section 482.226 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for the report. A licensed pest control company must provide it on a form the state prescribes. The inspector also posts a notice near the attic access or another easy-to-reach spot in the home.

The report lists any live wood-destroying organisms, evidence of past infestation, visible damage and signs of earlier treatment. It also lists areas the inspector could not reach. Just as important, the law states that the report is not a guarantee that no termites or damage exist, unless it says so.

For a seller, that means two things. First, a clean report helps, but it does not erase what you know. Second, a report that notes "evidence of previous treatment" will lead buyers to ask for records. So gather them before you list.

Treatment options before selling a house with termite damage

The treatment depends on the termite. Here is how the main options compare, based on UF IFAS guidance.

• Tent fumigation: the whole house is covered and filled with a gas fumigant. It reaches drywood colonies you cannot see, so it is the common choice when infestations are spread out.
• Spot treatment: a local treatment for drywood termites when the problem sits in one small area.
• Soil termiticide: a liquid barrier around and under the foundation for subterranean termites. IFAS says these can last from 2 to more than 15 years.
• Bait systems: stations placed around the home to wipe out subterranean colonies. IFAS puts their protection at 4 to 7 years or more.

Tenting does not stop subterranean termites, since those colonies live in the soil. So if a company recommends a tent for mud tubes, ask why. Get two or three written quotes, and ask each company whether its warranty can transfer to a buyer.

Repairing the wood when selling a house with termite damage

Treatment kills the termites. However, it does not fix the wood they ate. Damage can be cosmetic, like trim and baseboards, or structural, like rafters, sill plates and wall framing.

For minor damage, a handyman or carpenter may be enough. For anything that carries weight, hire a licensed contractor and, if needed, an engineer. Then pull permits where your city requires them. A buyer's inspector and appraiser will both look for signs of past damage, and permits make the story easier to tell.

Keep every invoice, photo and report. A neat folder with the treatment date, the company's warranty and repair receipts turns a scary word into a solved problem.

What you must disclose when selling a house with termite damage

Florida's disclosure rule comes from the 1985 Florida Supreme Court case Johnson v. Davis. Under it, a seller of a home must disclose facts that materially affect its value, that the buyer cannot readily see, and that the buyer does not already know.

Termite damage hidden in walls or an attic can fit that test. Past treatment, a current warranty and known repairs are also worth sharing. Even on an "AS IS" contract, the duty to disclose what you know still applies. "As is" limits your repair duties, but it does not hide known defects.

The safest path is simple: tell the truth in writing and attach the records. Ask a Florida real estate attorney if you are unsure whether something counts.

How termite damage can affect the price when selling a house

No public data tracks termite discounts in Palm Beach County. Still, the pattern is easy to see in practice. Buyers pay less for uncertainty than for a known, fixed problem.

A home with active termites, no treatment plan and unknown damage invites low offers or a request for big credits. By contrast, a home with a recent treatment, a transferable warranty and repair receipts often trades much closer to similar homes. Local market conditions matter too. In August 2026, Palm Beach County single-family homes sold for a median 95% of list price, so buyers were already negotiating, per Miami Realtors.

Three ways to handle selling a house with termite damage

Once you know the facts, you can choose a path. Each one has trade-offs.

1. Treat and repair before listing. This usually brings the most buyers and the fewest surprises. It costs money and time up front, though.
2. Treat, then offer a repair credit. You stop the termites and give the buyer money toward repairs. This works well when damage is cosmetic and buyers want to choose their own contractor.
3. Sell as is, with full disclosure. You price for the condition and let the buyer handle everything. Cash buyers and investors are often more open to this, but expect a lower price.

Financed buyers may face extra steps if damage is serious, since lenders and appraisers look at condition. So if you go as is, think about who your likely buyer is. Our page on home selling options compares listing on the market with faster routes, and our guide on selling as is without an inspection covers that side in more detail.

Records to gather before you list

Good records do a lot of the selling for you. So pull these together before the first showing.

• Every past WDO report you have, with dates.
• Treatment invoices that name the termite type and the method used.
• The current warranty or service contract, and whether it can transfer.
• Repair invoices, photos and any permits or engineer letters.
• Your completed seller disclosure, with the termite history written out in plain words.

Then hand the folder to your agent. They can share it with buyers' agents early, which cuts down on worried calls during the inspection period. It also helps an appraiser see that the issue is fixed. If a buyer's WDO report later finds old damage, your records show you already dealt with it. That can keep a small finding from turning into a big price fight.

Prevention tips for buyers and new owners

If you are buying in Boca Raton, Port St. Lucie or anywhere nearby, a few habits help keep termites away. UF IFAS suggests these:

• Keep about 6 inches of clear space between soil or mulch and siding.
• Avoid wood touching the ground.
• Direct water away from the house.
• Plant shrubs at least 2 feet from the foundation and trim branches off the roof.
• Schedule a yearly inspection by a trained professional.

Also ask the seller for past WDO reports and warranty papers. Then check how they compare to your own report. You can browse local homes on our Boca Raton and Port St. Lucie pages.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell a house with active termites?

Yes. There is no Florida rule that bans the sale. However, you must disclose what you know, and most buyers will expect treatment or a price that reflects it.

Does a clean WDO report mean there are no termites?

No. Florida law says the report covers visible, accessible areas and is not a guarantee unless it states otherwise.

Is tenting needed for subterranean termites?

No. Tenting targets drywood termites. Subterranean termites live in the soil, so they are treated with soil termiticides or bait systems.

Should I fix termite damage before selling the house?

If the damage is structural, fixing it usually widens your buyer pool. For small cosmetic damage, a credit may be easier. Talk with your agent about local buyers before you decide.

Sources

• UF IFAS, Termite Prevention and Control (ENY-2044)
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Dampwood and drywood termites
• Florida Statutes, section 482.226 (WDO inspection report)
• Johnson v. Davis, Florida Supreme Court (1985)
• Florida Realtors and Florida Bar, AS IS Residential Contract (2026 redline)
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 home sales

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Disclosure duties depend on your facts, so consult a Florida real estate attorney about your own sale.

Dealing with termite damage? Sit down with a Pure Equity agent to compare a cash offer against listing on the open market, with no obligation. Schedule your comparison or check what your home is worth. Buying instead? Talk to a buyer's agent about reading WDO reports.