Termite Bonds in Georgia: What Homeowners Need to Know

Quick answer

Homeowners often ask whether a termite bond “covers termites.” The better question is: what does this particular contract promise if termites are found? A bond may provide future inspections and treatment, but repair coverage, dollar limits, exclusions, renewal requirements, and transfer rights depend on the written terms.

Georgia regulates contracts for wood-destroying organism services. The Georgia Department of Agriculture uses the term wood-destroying organisms, or WDOs, for termites, certain wood-boring beetles, wood-decay fungi, and other covered organisms. The contract—not a salesperson’s summary—controls what protection applies to your property.

What Does a Georgia Termite Bond Cover?

Most termite protection agreements fall into one of two broad categories. The labels used by a company may vary, so compare the actual obligations rather than relying on a plan name.

Repair coverage is not the same as a promise to repair every damaged board or every moisture-related condition. Read the definitions, coverage limits, reporting deadlines, exclusions, and claims process. Ask for written clarification before signing if any term is unclear.

What Georgia Requires in a WDO Contract

Georgia Department of Agriculture guidance says a licensee must issue a written contract for each WDO protection or control job. Required information includes the type of control measure, effective date and contract period, charges, a diagram, warranty terms, renewal conditions, homeowner signature, and other disclosures.

The agreement should clearly identify whether it provides retreatment without damage repair or retreatment with repair of damage within stated limits. It should also explain:

• the treatment approach, such as a soil treatment, baiting system, wood treatment, or another permitted method;
• locations of active or previous infestation shown on the contract diagram;
• the initial price and related charges for covered work;
• the renewal fee and how long that fee remains fixed;
• whether reinspection is annual, periodic, quarterly, or on another schedule;
• conditions that can change or limit liability after additions or modifications to the structure;
• the three-day right of contract cancellation; and
• the specific warranty, retreatment, and repair obligations.

Initial Treatment, Warranty-Only Coverage, and Ongoing Protection

Some agreements follow an initial termite treatment. Georgia guidance also recognizes certain warranty-only contracts when no initial treatment is performed. These are not interchangeable.

A warranty-only contract for subterranean termites is limited by state guidance to qualifying one- and two-family homes. It cannot be used for a structure with an active subterranean termite infestation or as a substitute for required preconstruction treatment. The company must complete an initial inspection, document findings, identify the treatment that would be performed at the first occurrence, and provide an annual inspection.

If activity is present now, ask how the initial control work will be performed and documented. If no activity is found and a warranty-only option is proposed, ask what happens at the first confirmed occurrence and whether repair coverage applies.

How Renewals and Inspections Affect Protection

A termite bond is valuable only while it remains active and its requirements are followed. Missing a renewal deadline, denying required access, or making unreported structural changes can affect coverage under the contract.

Keep the original agreement, diagrams, treatment records, inspection reports, renewal invoices, and correspondence together. Before each renewal:

1. Confirm the renewal amount and due date.
2. Verify whether an inspection or bait-station service is due.
3. Report additions, finished crawl spaces, decks, patios, insulation, grading changes, leaks, or other alterations.
4. Ask whether the same retreatment and repair terms continue.
5. Save written proof of payment and the completed inspection.

Common Limitations Homeowners Should Review

Coverage may be affected by inaccessible areas, moisture problems, wood-to-soil contact, untreated additions, landscaping changes, foam insulation that conceals inspection areas, or failure to correct a condition specified by the company. The importance of each condition depends on the contract and property.

Ask how the agreement handles detached structures, decks, porches, retaining walls, crawl-space encapsulation, slab additions, finished basements, and areas hidden by insulation or stored belongings. A broad marketing phrase should never replace a property-specific answer.

Can a Termite Bond Transfer When a Georgia Home Is Sold?

Some contracts are transferable and others are not. A transfer may require written notice, an inspection, a fee, or completion before the current term expires. The Georgia termite inspection guide for homebuyers explains how an Official Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report separately addresses current and previous evidence, conducive conditions, treatment history, and whether an existing contract is transferable.

Sellers should not promise that coverage transfers until the pest control company confirms the process in writing. Buyers should obtain the complete contract, not only a renewal invoice or a verbal statement that the property is “under bond.”

Questions to Ask Before Signing or Renewing

• Is this retreatment-only coverage or does it include qualifying damage repair?
• Which termite species or other wood-destroying organisms are covered?
• What treatment or monitoring method will be used?
• How often will the structure be inspected or the system serviced?
• What are the initial charge, renewal fee, and other possible charges?
• What damage is excluded, and is there a maximum repair amount?
• Which property conditions must the homeowner correct or report?
• Are additions and detached structures covered?
• Can the agreement transfer to a buyer, and what must happen before closing?
• What documentation will be provided after treatment and inspection?

When to Request a New Termite Inspection

Do not wait for the next routine visit if you find mud tubes, damaged wood, live termites, an indoor swarm, or piles of shed wings. Photograph the evidence, avoid disturbing the area more than necessary, and request an inspection. A professional needs to confirm the organism, activity, access point, and applicable contract terms before recommending treatment.

Dixie Exterminators provides termite inspections and control across Marietta and Metro Atlanta. The appropriate plan depends on the structure, current evidence, prior treatment, inspection access, and the level of ongoing coverage the owner wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose Termite Coverage by Reading the Contract, Not the Plan Name

Dixie Exterminators can inspect your Marietta or Metro Atlanta property, explain appropriate termite control options, and provide written coverage terms for the recommended plan. Comparing the treatment method, inspection schedule, renewal conditions, retreatment obligation, and repair terms helps you choose protection that matches the home.

Authoritative Resources

These government, public-health, and university sources informed the regulatory, identification, safety, and prevention guidance on this page:

• Georgia Department of Agriculture: Wood Destroying Organisms Contract Fact Sheet
• Georgia Department of Agriculture: Termite Warranty Retreatment Rule
• Georgia Department of Agriculture: Structural Pest Consumer Information
• U.S. EPA: Termites—How to Identify and Control Them