Our Services

Pest Inspections & Termite Inspections

When looking to purchase a new property in Australia, it’s important to get a combined building and pest inspection to check for any termite activity or damage.

Termites tend to avoid open air and bright lights, and as a result, their colonies are typically underground, out of sight or within wood materials so more often than not, termite damage is hidden away from sight. For this reason, it’s important to get a professional pest or termite inspector who knows common areas to check for termite damage or conditions conducive to termites.

Our pest and termite inspections involve a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of the property for evidence of termite activity and/or termite workings or damage. The areas that will be inspected include the interior and exterior of the building as well as accessible roof cavities and subfloor areas. The findings of the inspection will then be noted in your pest report which will be issued via email the following morning, including any recommendations for suitable termite treatments.

Book a pest and termite inspection now.

For more information about our building and pest inspection services visit our Help Centre. To arrange a pest and termite inspection, visit our booking page for a quote or contact us free on 1300 337 447.

Pest & Termite Inspection FAQs

Find out more about our professional Termite Inspection services and what's involved by viewing our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us to discuss your options.

 

What is a Pest Inspection?

A Timber Pest Inspection or Termite Inspection entails a professional pest inspector completing a visual pest and termite inspection of all accessible and available areas of a property for the presence of active termites and/or termite damage. The results of the pest inspection include conducive conditions to termite attacks, risks and recommendations for termite management programs.

What does a Pest/Termite Inspection entail?

A Termite Inspection is a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of termite activity and or termite workings/damage. The inspector will visually inspect the interior and exterior of the home or building including any accessible roof cavities or roof void, and sub-floor areas.

After a pest inspection has been performed, the findings are noted in the pest report which will be issued via email the following morning.

How long does a Pest Inspection take?

On average, Pest Inspections take approximately 60 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and conditions (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property.

How much is a Pest Inspection?

The cost of a comprehensive termite inspection will vary depending on what region you are located in and the size of the property being inspected. For an accurate quote please contact us or view our inspection prices page for an approximate idea of the cost.

What do termites look like?

Subterranean termite colonies consist of three different castes: reproductives, workers and soldiers.

All of the subterranean termites are generally creamy white in appearance and are translucent, looking very much in size, shape and colour as a grain of rice.

The reproductives, or "swarmers", have a pair of even-sized wings and are often mistaken for flying ants. The workers look similar to the "swarmers" only they are a little smaller and do not have wings. The soldiers are also similar except for their oversized heads and large, crushing mandibles.

What is the difference between ants and termites?

There are a number of differences between ants and termites. The body shape of an ant is like an hourglass--it narrows between the abdomen in the rear and the thorax in the front. The body of a termite is more cigar-shaped without the narrowing between the front and back halves of the body. When wings are present, ants have larger wings in the front and smaller wings in the back, whereas termite swarmers have relatively equal-sized wings. Ant wings are less veiny than termite wings.

Also, ant wings have a stigma (dark spot) on the leading edge of the front wing, and termite wings do not.

Ant antennae are bent or curved, while termite antennae are relatively straight. Also, termites eat the wood they tunnel through, causing damage to homes and property, while ants do not.

Sub floor inspectionTermite activity to front entry ceiling of brick houseTermite damage at entry (revealed when wall sheeting removed)Termite entry point visible to exposed slab edge

 

Types of termites

Schedorhinotermes Intermedius

Common throughout south-east Queensland, the Schedorhinotermes Intermedius termite can cause major structural damage to hardwood timbers. Often having multiple nesting points in dead tree stumps, native trees or underground, they travel across the property to get to new nesting points and food sources, making it difficult to locate the source of the infestation.

They eat both softwood and hardwood timbers, usually attacking weathered or moist areas of the home. Ferocious termite attacks can even leave solid hardwood reduced to shambles.

Coptotermes acinaciformis

Coptotermes AcinaciformisConsidered the most destructive termite species throughout Australia, the Coptotermes acinaciformis forms large colonies and can be found anywhere on the Australian mainland. Because of the size of their colonies, they’re capable of causing incredible damage in relatively short periods.

While they can show up anywhere in suburbia, they tend to nest in gum trees, old tree stumps, old logs and even behind retaining walls. They’re a bold species and you can sometimes find them over 100 metres from their nest.

 

Nasutitermes Walkeri

Nasutitermes Walkeri Noticeably darker than other termite species, the Nasutitermes Walkeri is easily identified by its colouring and single sharp point on the head of the soldier caste (most have two acting as incisors). They can be found in eastern New South Wales and south-east Queensland.

They tend to form dark coloured mud mounds as nests in Brisbane’s bushland areas but like to make themselves home in roof cavities. Although they can be found nesting in homes they prefer to feed on decaying hardwood, so it’s possible to have an infestation with very little timber damage.

 

Microcerotermes Turneri

Nasutitermes Walkeri termite speciesAnother local Brisbane species, the Microcerotermes Turneri can be found nesting in light brown coloured mud mounds in bushland areas. While they can damage timber and gyprock walls, these pests prefer to eat weathered and decaying timber.

One of the slower moving termite species, they aren’t too aggressive and rarely cause structural damage. If they do infest your home you’ll find them in roof cavities or within the walls.

How do you treat termites?

There are several termite treatment options available to treat subterranean termites:

1. Chemical treatment is the most common treatment type. The goal of a subterranean termite chemical treatment is to establish a continuous termiticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and timber in a building. Termite barriers are an effective treatment option.

2. In-ground baiting systems are also becoming a popular method for the treatment of subterranean termites. A subterranean termite baiting system involves placement of cellulose (wood material) bait stations at strategic locations around the perimeter of the home.

The cost of termite treatment will vary depending on the type of treatment chosen, the size of the property and the level of infestation. Read more about termite treatments here.

Could there be Hidden Termite Damage?

Pest Inspector Darren

Absolutely!

One of the main characteristics of termites and termite nests is their tendency to avoid open air and bright lights, meaning they will stay underground or within wood materials. It is almost impossible for an inspector to visually identify or locate an active termite infestation just by looking at the finished surface of a wall or the accompanying trim. 

For this reason, professional timber pest inspectors will have a number of tools on hand to help detect termite activity, including thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters.

What can I do to Prevent Termite Infestation?

The current standard method of preventing infestation on homes is to have a Pest Inspector visit the home and inject a liquid termiticide into the foundation areas. The building sciences are continually coming up with new methods of infestation prevention and termite control. A homeowner could also make post-construction adjustments to the home that are less conducive to an infestation of wood-destroying insects and timber pests.

Common conditions that are conducive to an infestation are

Correction of these conditions will greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation.

In addition to proper maintenance and care of the property, annual termite inspections are integral to staying on top of any infestation and potential damage.

Why do I have to treat if there are no live termites?

If there is evidence of a termite infestation and no evidence of a termite treatment having been done it is likely that active termites may be present in areas not accessible by the inspector and a further investigation is essential. This means treatment is necessary even though no live termites were discovered.

Book a pest and termite inspection now.

For more information about our building and pest inspection services visit our Help Centre. To arrange a pest and termite inspection, visit our booking page for a quote or contact us free on 1300 337 447.

Termite workings and damage to a pitched hardwood roofTermite nest in internal wall cavityTermite activityTermite workings under carpet edge

 

 

Helpful Articles

Why Choose Us?

  • We're fully licensed & insured - did you know that inspectors don't require a license in some states?
  • Reports within 24 hours - receive a detailed report by email within 24 hours, or on the same day in urgent cases
  • Detailed reports - our easy to understand reports contain photos and are independent of any third party. We work for you!
  • We'll handle your agent - we will liaise with your real estate agent to confirm an inspection time and keep you informed.
  • Verbal Report - can be provided upon request.
Go to top
Contact Inspector