You found out during inspection: carpenter ants. Your closing date is June 1st. Your realtor says you need proof of treatment. Your lender may require a Wood-Destroying Insect Report (WDIR). And you're wondering — can this be fixed in time, or will it kill the sale?

The answer depends on how fast you act and what warranty you put in place. At ProSource Pest Solutions, we've handled dozens of real-estate-driven carpenter ant calls across Connecticut. Here's what home sellers in Waterbury, Southington, Bristol, Cheshire, and the surrounding area need to know to close on time.

1. Why Carpenter Ants Show Up Right Before Your Home Sale

Carpenter ants don't appear on inspection day by coincidence. They've likely been there for months — sometimes years. But home inspectors are thorough. They look in attics, crawl spaces, and wall voids. That's when carpenter ant damage becomes impossible to ignore.

The problem is that a single colony can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage to floor joists, sill plates, and framing. Lenders won't fund a purchase without proof the issue is resolved. Buyers walk away. You'll either need treatment proof or a credit at closing to cover the cost yourself — which usually ends up being higher than just treating it.

The solution is straightforward: professional treatment, documented, with a warranty that transfers to the new owner.

2. The One-Time Treatment Option and Your Real Timeline

Carpenter ants aren't like rodents or cockroaches. They don't require ongoing monthly service. A single, thorough treatment usually solves the problem.

Step 1 — Free Inspection (1–2 days): ProSource sends a technician to identify all entry points and damage. The inspection is free. The tech assesses whether the infestation is active or old damage, and gives you an exact price before any work begins.

Step 2 — Treatment Appointment (1 day): Treatment typically takes a few hours. The technician applies targeted treatments inside walls, attics, and crawl spaces where colonies live. You don't need to leave the home, though we recommend keeping pets and kids away from treated areas for 30–45 minutes after application.

Step 3 — Documentation (1–3 days): ProSource provides a detailed report showing what was treated, what the technician found, and proof of service. This is what your lender and buyer need to close.

3. The Warranty That Actually Transfers

Here's the key difference between ProSource and DIY or discount services: our carpenter ant warranty is transferable to the new homeowner at no extra cost.

One-time treatment is $325 and includes a 90-day warranty that transfers automatically. If the buyer closes before day 90 and sees any activity, they call us in and we handle the retreatment at no cost. No name change required, no paperwork to file — the warranty follows the property.

This takes a major headache off the table during closing. Your buyer isn't taking a pest gamble. They have documented proof and a built-in safety net. Realtors love it because it removes one of the most common deal-breakers from the table.

4. Calendar Math: When You Need to Act

Closing on June 1st? Here's what your timeline should look like working backwards.

3 weeks before closing: Call ProSource for the free inspection. Get treatment scheduled within 2–3 days.

2 weeks before closing: Treatment is complete. Inspection report and warranty document are in hand. Share with your lender and buyer's agent.

1 week before closing: Lender confirms the documentation satisfies their requirements. Buyer's agent confirms with their client.

Closing day: Proof of treatment plus transferable warranty equals green light.

If your closing is within three weeks, call ProSource immediately. We can often fit emergency real-estate treatments into our schedule with 24–48 hours of notice.

5. WDIR vs. ProSource Documentation — What's the Difference?

Your lender may ask for a WDIR, sometimes called a wood-destroying insect report or pest inspection report. Some insurance companies and most VA and FHA loans require them. Here's the difference between the two documents.

A WDIR focuses on detecting wood-destroying insects and damage. It tells the lender whether termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, or other wood-destroying organisms are present. It does not include treatment proof.

A ProSource treatment report shows the work was completed, entry points were sealed, and a transferable warranty is in place. It's the proof side of the equation.

You may need both. When you call, we can clarify what your specific lender requires and coordinate both pieces of documentation in one visit if possible.

Don't Wait — Protect Your Closing Date

Every day you delay is a day closer to closing with an unresolved issue. Real estate agents see carpenter ant discoveries kill deals all the time. Lenders see them hold up funding. Buyers see them as red flags. What separates a smooth closing from a disaster is fast action, professional documentation, and a transferable warranty.

If you're selling your home in Connecticut and carpenter ants showed up on inspection, call ProSource Pest Solutions today for a free inspection. We can have treatment scheduled within 24–48 hours and documentation in your realtor's hands within a week. Your closing date depends on it.