Termites in Ohio: What Columbus Home Buyers Should Check

Are termites really a problem in Columbus, Ohio?

Orkin placed Columbus at No. 50 on its 2025 list of termite cities. That is the bottom of the list, but it still means termites are a real concern here. The main wood-eaters in Ohio are subterranean termites. They live in the soil, reach a house through foundation cracks, mud tubes and wood that touches the ground, and can feed unseen for years.

Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood-boring beetles and fungal decay also damage wood, and a good report looks at all of them. That is why we call the service a timber-pest inspection, not a termite check alone.

What does a home buyer's termite inspection cover?

The inspector looks for evidence of wood-destroying insects and the conditions that invite them. The goal is a written record you can hand to your agent or lender.

• Foundation and sill plates: mud tubes, cracks, wood in contact with soil.
• Crawl space and basement: moisture, rot, damaged joists, stored wood and cardboard.
• Exterior wood: porch posts, decks, siding, fascia, door and window frames.
• Attic and garage: signs of carpenter ants, sawdust piles and old wings.
• Past treatment: stickers, drill holes in slabs or any sign the house was treated before.

The report is a snapshot of what could be seen on the day. It cannot see inside finished walls or under stored belongings, so clear access before the visit helps. Written documentation after an inspection is how you compare one house to another.

Who is allowed to do a wood-destroying insect inspection in Ohio?

For wood-destroying insect inspections tied to a home sale, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) requires a Pesticide Business License, at least one licensed commercial applicator and liability insurance. The same rule covers applying pesticides for hire and soliciting that work. That rule applies to any company, so check before you hire one.

The ODA lookup tool is linked in the sources below. Search the company name and read the result. You can also ask the company for proof of insurance. Doing this check before you book is quicker than discovering a problem with the paperwork at the closing table. Whoever you choose, keep a copy of the lookup result with the report.

What is the NPMA-33 form, and what should a buyer read on it?

Ohio Administrative Code rule 901:5-11-13 requires a complete record of each real estate wood-destroying insect inspection on form NPMA-33, signed by the applicator. Ohio State University Extension's Pesticide Safety Education Program adds that these inspectors hold a Category 12 commercial applicator license and complete OSU Extension training.

On the form, read three things. First, the findings: live insects, evidence of past activity or visible damage. Second, any signs of previous treatment. Third, the areas the inspector could not reach, since those are the gaps in the picture. Ask about each one before you close.

Which central Ohio homes need the closest look?

Age and moisture matter most. Columbus has roughly 188,000 homes built before 1978, about 45% of the city's units (Census ACS), and the city's median home was built in 1980. Older houses have had more years of settling, more wood near the soil and more chances for a leak. That link is our read from the trade, not a published finding.

Water is the other clue. In Gahanna, where the median home dates to 1985, Big Walnut Creek and its tributaries run through the city, so we look hard at grading, downspouts and basement dampness on lots near the water. The same goes for Franklinton, which sits behind a floodwall of about 7 miles and was laid out in 1797. Wet soil and old foundations are the combination to read closely.

Newer slab homes are not exempt. Termites reach a slab house through expansion joints and utility penetrations, so the report on a 1990s house matters as much as the one on an older brick house.

When should you order the inspection?

As early as your inspection contingency allows. Most purchase contracts give you a short window to inspect and respond, and termite inspectors can book up. Ask your agent for the exact deadline and whether your contract or loan calls for a wood-destroying insect report. Some do, and some leave it to you.

1. Read your contract for the inspection deadline.
2. Ask your lender whether a report is required.
3. Book the inspector the same week you get the accepted offer.
4. Ask the seller for access to the crawl space, attic and garage.
5. Attend the inspection if you can, so the inspector can show you what they find.

What if the inspection finds termites or damage?

Do not panic, and do not walk away before you understand it. There is a difference between active termites, old inactive damage and conditions that could invite trouble later. The report should say which you have.

If there is activity, ask the seller to treat it before closing, or negotiate a credit so you can arrange termite treatment after you take possession. If there is old damage, a contractor or structural engineer can judge what needs repair. Homeowners insurance usually will not pay for either, so the negotiation is your leverage. Our post on whether insurance covers pest damage explains why.

Three kinds of finding come up, and each calls for a different question: