Termites in Maryland: Native Swarms, Form MD-1 and State Rules

Maryland has one termite, and it's everywhere: the native eastern subterranean termite. What sets the state apart is the paperwork. Maryland requires its own inspection form for home sales, sets out what the inspector must check, and even certifies the dogs some companies use to sniff out termites.

By John Updated 5 min read Termite pressure: Moderate to heavy
Sketch map of Maryland labeled with moderate to heavy termite pressure

The short version

Maryland's termites are native eastern subterranean termites, which live in the soil statewide and swarm in spring. Home sales and real estate loans use the state's own Form MD-1, and Maryland doesn't accept a changed version. Companies are licensed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and you can check a business or applicator in its online database.

Maryland at a glance

Termite pressure
Moderate to heavy
Termites to know
Eastern subterranean
Why termites like it here
Hot, humid summers and cold winters, with native subterranean termites statewide and many older houses on basements and crawlspaces.
Inspection report for home sales
Maryland Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report (Form MD-1)
On this page
  1. One termite, statewide
  2. Signs Maryland Extension tells you to look for
  3. When termites swarm in Maryland
  4. Form MD-1: Maryland's own sale report
  5. Licensing, and how to check
  6. Sniffer dogs need a state certificate
  7. Disclosure, disputes and complaints
  8. For Maryland homeowners
  9. Questions

One termite, statewide

University of Maryland Extension says Maryland's native termites are subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes, the eastern subterranean termite. Colonies can reach several million termites and can use food sources more than 200 feet apart, which is why a colony under a neighbor's yard can be the one in your sill plate.

Mature colonies periodically send out swarmers, winged termites about a quarter inch long. Extension's answer to that 2022 question explains what they mean: alates aren't a danger to the house by themselves, and most that fly indoors die of dehydration, but a flight shows a colony nearby, and swarmers found indoors are worth investigating. In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, Rutgers says swarmers usually leave on warm, sunny days from April to June.

Signs Maryland Extension tells you to look for

From University of Maryland Extension's termite guide.

Signs of subterranean termites in a Maryland house
Sign Where you'll see it
Mud shelter tubes, about a quarter inch wide Foundation walls, exposed wood, even ceilings
Soil packed into cracks Crevices in wood and masonry
Piles of shed wings Floors, windowsills and spider webs
Settling cracks or sagging floors Over damaged joists and sills
Dark or blistered paneling, blistered or peeling paint on wood Walls with feeding behind them

Extension's advice is that damage is usually slow, so there's time to evaluate before treating. See how fast termites damage a house.

When termites swarm in Maryland

Maryland's one termite swarms mainly in spring, by day, often after a warm rain.

Typical swarm months for the eastern subterranean termite
Termite J F M A M J J A S O N D
Eastern subterranean Daytime, often after a warm rain some swarms peak peak common some swarms

Form MD-1: Maryland's own sale report

For a property transfer or a real estate loan, Maryland doesn't use the national NPMA-33. Its regulation, COMAR 15.05.01.14, requires the Maryland Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, Form MD-1. The Maryland Department of Agriculture says the form can't be altered; using a changed form is treated as false and fraudulent and can bring an automatic civil penalty and action against the company's license. The department also hasn't adopted NPMA's later changes to the national form.

The rule sets out what the inspection includes:

  • Sounding or probing readily accessible structural members.
  • The exterior below eye level without ladders, the interior and readily accessible attic, the basement and the crawlspace.
  • A diagram showing where visible evidence and damage were found.

The report has to list inaccessible areas and why, whether wood-destroying insects or their evidence are present, visible damage and whether it has been or will be corrected or evaluated, past treatment evidence, and a department-required statement on conditions conducive to infestation. Companies keep inspection reports for two years. The national picture is in WDI inspection.

Licensing, and how to check

Termite work in Maryland is regulated by the Pesticide Regulation Section of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Inspections are done by licensed pesticide businesses, through their certified applicators or registered technicians, or by licensed pest control consultants. In fiscal 2021 the department counted 1,527 licensed commercial pesticide businesses and nearly 4,000 certified commercial applicators.

You can look up a business or an applicator in the department's online database, by name, license number, category or location. UMD Extension's hiring advice adds the basics: get plans, prices and warranties from several companies, ask which chemicals they use, and check for an active Maryland Department of Agriculture certification. After a termite problem, it suggests a contract with annual inspections and retreatment as needed. More in how to check a pest control license.

Sniffer dogs need a state certificate

Maryland writes rules for termite-detection dogs, too. Under the same regulation, a canine pest detection team must be certified every year. The test uses at least four search areas, each with two distractors and three hidden targets, a 20-minute search limit and two evaluators who each have at least five years of documented experience. Training and certification records are kept for two years. If a company offers a dog inspection, ask for the team's current certificate. More in termite sniffing dogs.

Disclosure, disputes and complaints

Sellers in Maryland deliver either a property condition disclosure statement or a disclaimer statement on a State Real Estate Commission form. The disclosure version covers infestation of wood-destroying insects among its listed items; the disclaimer version only requires disclosing known latent defects that threaten health or safety. A buyer who doesn't get the statement on time can rescind within limits set by law. See termite disclosure laws.

If you disagree with an inspection, the department's advice is to start with the company that did it, then get a second opinion from another licensed firm. The department investigates inspection disputes that those steps don't resolve, and other complaints, through its Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710, by letter, fax or email. In 2021 it carried out 251 routine business inspections and cited 73 businesses.

For Maryland homeowners

Do

  • Ask for Form MD-1 by name in a home sale
  • Read the inaccessible areas and the conducive conditions statement
  • Look up the company in the state's online database
  • Ask for a second opinion before filing a complaint about an inspection

Don't

  • Accept an NPMA-33 or an altered form for a Maryland sale
  • Panic over a swarm outdoors; investigate swarmers indoors
  • Hire a dog team without a current certificate
  • Skip the annual inspection after treatment

Questions people ask

What termites live in Maryland?

The native eastern subterranean termite. University of Maryland Extension says Maryland's native termites are subterranean and live in the soil, with colonies that can reach several million.

What is Form MD-1?

It's the Maryland Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, required for termite inspections tied to a property transfer or real estate loan. The state says it can't be altered, and it includes a diagram of where evidence and damage were found.

How do I check a pest control company in Maryland?

Search the Maryland Department of Agriculture's online pesticide database for the business or the applicator, or call the Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710.

Do Maryland sellers have to disclose termites?

If the seller uses the disclosure statement, it covers wood-destroying insect infestation. A seller can choose a disclaimer instead, which still requires disclosing known latent defects that threaten health or safety.

Sources