Termites
Termite inspection
- How often
- Annual inspections are recommended
Get your home ready
Before we arrive
Any area deemed unsafe may not be inspected. The more access provided, the more thorough the inspection can be.
What we do on the day
- A termite inspection takes about 3 hours.
- Outside, we look as far as 50 metres from the walls, as long as that is inside your property boundary.
- On every inspection, we also go through a checklist of conditions around the property that can help termites get in or stay.
- We photograph what we find.
- If we find activity in one place, we keep looking. One active area doesn't mean it's the only one.
- Anything we couldn't check is written down in the report as a limit.
- If our equipment can't get a reading somewhere, we say so. We never record that spot as clear.
After the inspection
- We'll provide you with an initial verbal recommendation based on our findings
- A written report with termite protection plan will also be provided
Common questions
If no termites are found, does that mean I don't have termites?
Not always. We inspect visually and with moisture detection, noise detection and a keyhole camera, but nothing can see inside walls, underground or other concealed areas.
How often should I have a termite inspection?
Annual inspections are recommended.
Can termites still enter after an inspection?
Yes, termites are always a risk in Australia, which is why ongoing protection is recommended.
What areas are inspected?
Accessible internal, external, roof void and subfloor areas we can get to.
Why is access important?
Limited access can reduce the effectiveness of the inspection.
What attracts termites to a property?
Moisture, timber contact with soil and hidden entry points increase risk.
Do termites only affect old homes?
No, termites can affect new and old buildings.
Should I disturb suspected termite activity?
No, disturbing termites may cause them to relocate and make detection harder.
Can I treat termites myself?
If not performed correctly, DIY treatment can cause active termites to spread into new areas.
What is the benefit of a termite protection plan?
Inspection finds termites sooner, and prevention gives them fewer ways in.
Are termites the same as white ants?
No. White ants is an old name, but termites aren't ants. They're more closely related to cockroaches.
How do I tell flying termites from flying ants?
Look at the antennae. Flying termites have straight ones, and flying ants have elbowed ones. Termites also shed their wings very easily, when they land or when you handle them.
Is it only the timber frame at risk?
No. Termites can also damage timber flooring, wall linings, architraves, books, furniture and even the paper backing on plasterboard.
Signs you've got termites
- Mud tubes on outside footings, brickwork, stumps or the edge of a concrete slab. They can also turn up on inside pipes and power points.
- Timber that sounds dull and hollow when you tap it, or breaks easily and shows thin layers.
- Small cracks or holes in timber or plaster, with fine dust around them.
- Piles of shed wings. Winged termites drop their wings after they fly.
- Swarms of winged termites, often at dusk in warm, humid weather.
- A wall surface that looks slightly discoloured, or timber panelling that starts to warp.
- Termites eat timber from the inside, so it can look solid and still be badly damaged. Water, fungus and knocks can mark timber too, so it takes an inspection to tell them apart.
Where termites live, and how they get in
Where they live
- Underground, or with a link back to the soil, which gives them the moisture they need.
- In trees, stumps, logs and roots, and sometimes in damp spots inside buildings.
- Some kinds nest under concrete floors, in wall cavities and in enclosed verandahs.
- Often some distance from the house. Termites can forage tens of metres from the nest, and sometimes 100 metres or more.
How they get in
- They build mud tubes up and over concrete, brickwork and other materials they can't eat.
- Through cracks as small as 1.5 millimetres, into wall cavities and under floors.
- Through outdoor timber that touches the soil, such as posts, steps and pergolas.
- Behind siding or sheeting that runs right down to the soil, where an entry point can stay hidden.
Keep them away
- Remove timber contact with soil
- Firewood, timber sleepers, garden beds and stored wood against the home increase risk.
- Maintain good drainage
- Ensure gutters are clear and water is directed away from foundations.
- Schedule annual inspections
- Yearly inspections give termites less time to do damage before they are found.
- Install termite monitoring or baiting stations
- In-ground systems provide continuous monitoring.
- Fix leaks quickly
- Moisture attracts termites and increases risk.
- Maintain ventilation in subfloor areas
- Poor airflow increases humidity levels which attract termites.
- Avoid covering weep holes
- Weep holes allow ventilation and inspection visibility.
What happens next
Booking an inspection
A termite inspection is the one that matters before you buy, renovate, or after you've seen mud on a wall.
Still have a question?
Call us and we'll help. If you're still seeing activity after the times on this page, let us know.