A Comprehensive Guide to Termite Inspections
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is a termite inspection?
- The importance of having regular termite inspections
- Preparing for a termite inspection
- What does a termite inspection involve?
- What does a termite inspection report cover?
- Reducing the chance of termite infestation with a termite management system
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Termites are extremely destructive pests. They work 24/7 to feast on the timber found inside buildings and on properties. Before property owners have even discovered them, termites could have already easily caused tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Termite damage isn’t covered by home and contents insurance, so it’s absolutely essential for all property owners to undertake regular termite inspections to catch any termite activity early on.
In this comprehensive guide, we will detail the importance of regular inspections, how to prepare for a termite inspection and what a termite inspection involves. Once you’ve finished reading this guide, you will have a thorough understanding of what is involved in a termite inspection.
If you have discovered termites in your home or business, do not disturb them, as you may impact the ability to treat them effectively. Instead, book a termite inspection with your nearest Termitrust Pest Control service centre so a qualified technician can accurately determine the extent of the infestation.
What is a termite inspection?
A termite inspection involves a detailed examination of a building and the property it inhabits by a licensed pest control technician for signs of active termites and/or existing termite damage.
Pest control technicians undertake specialised training, which provides them with extensive knowledge about termite biology and behaviour. Their training allows them to accurately identify active termites and existing termite damage across both residential and commercial properties.
Engaging their knowledge the technician will conduct a comprehensive visual inspection before using a variety of specialised tools to further investigate any suspected termite activity.
The importance of having regular termite inspections
Having a licensed pest control technician regularly conduct termite inspections on your property is essential in Australia, as both residential and commercial properties are highly susceptible to termite attack.
As mentioned above, termites can easily cause many thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to a property before ever being discovered, which is not covered by your home and contents insurance.
Undiscovered termite activity can eventually lead to major structural issues that can’t be easily repaired. In a worst-case scenario, if the damage is irreparable, the home will need to be demolished.
How many termite inspections should I have a year?
The number of recommended termite inspections you should have within a year depends on your location in Australia.
If you are north of the Tropic of Capricorn (such as the Pilbara region of Western Australia or Far North Queensland), where warmer climates and high humidity persist, termite activity is generally more prevalent. Therefore we recommend scheduling termite inspections every six months.
For property owners south of the Tropic of Capricorn (such as Perth, Adelaide and Sydney), where cooler climates and low humidity dominate, termites still have a significant presence. We recommend scheduling at least one termite inspection a year for properties in this region.
Preparing for a termite inspection
Before your inspection takes place, it’s important that you complete the following steps to ensure your technician can thoroughly assess your property. Improving accessibility will help the technician deliver a more thorough assessment, making detecting the early signs of termites easier.
- Do not disturb or damage any termite mud tubes you’ve discovered.
- Provide complete and easy access to all entry and exit points of your property.
- Move any furniture or items blocking access to your subfloor (crawl space beneath the home) and roof cavity.
- Move any furniture or items stored against internal and external walls.
- Clear items away from wet areas (under sinks, etc.) and let the technician know about any recent water leaks.
- Trim back vegetation against exterior walls.
What does a termite inspection involve?
A termite inspection begins with the pest technician checking the status of the property’s termite management system. The technician will check the type of termite barrier system used and whether it is still protecting the building from termites.
Next, the technician will move to a non-destructive visual inspection of all the accessible external areas on a property. This includes fences, the edge of the concrete slab, decks and all other areas that come in direct contact with the ground.
During this part of the inspection, the technician is looking for visual signs of termite activity and damage, as it provides good information about where termites could be entering the building. If they discover any signs of termite activity outside, they will prioritise investigating the corresponding interior area where the termites may have entered.
After this, the technician will conduct a non-destructive examination of the building’s interior for signs of termite activity. This includes checking skirting boards, door frames, window frames, cupboards and other areas.
Using specialised termite inspection tools, the technician will systematically tap on all internal timber structures to listen for inconsistencies in sound. A hollow sound may indicate that termites have damaged the timber. A technician may conduct a more in-depth investigation using advanced tools, such as a moisture meter.
Destructive methods for inspecting a property for termites are usually considered as a last resort and are done with the property owner’s consent.
Important things to note:
- A termite inspection will take around one to one and a half hours on average to complete on a standard home
- Inspections of larger homes, commercial properties, etc., may require more time to complete
- The time required to inspect a property depends on the access provided to the technician
- Depending on state/territory regulations, the techniques employed by the pest technician may vary.
What does a termite inspection report cover?
After completing the inspection of your home or business, the technician will generate a detailed report that will be sent to you by email. The report will include:
- Status of your termite management system: Is your termite management system protecting your property or has it lapsed?
- Observations of Termites: Any evidence of termite activity or damage that was found.
- Termite Risk Areas: Identified high risk areas that could be prone to future termite infestation.
- Recommendations: Best practices that should be followed to reduce termite risk.
- Termite Treatments: Suggested termite treatments to manage current termite infestations.
- Photographs: Visual documentation of termite damage, termite activity and issues on the property that could attract future termite activity.
Following the inspection, we’ll discuss our findings with you and prepare the inspection report which meets Australian Standard 4349.3.
Signs of active termites or an existing termite infestation
Here are some of the telltale signs of active termites or an existing termite infestation that a pest control technician will look for during a termite inspection. If any of these signs are discovered during your inspection, the technician will note them in their report.
- Mud tubes: Small, tunnel-like structures that look like they are made from mud on walls or foundations.
- Mud buildup in timber cracks: Termites fill cracks and holes of timber that they are eating, so that they aren’t exposed to outside conditions.
- Hollow sounding timber: Timber that has been eaten from the inside out by termites produces a distinct hollow sound, which structurally sound timber should never make.
- Dead flying termites or discard wings: Piles of dead winged termites or discarded wings from termite reproductives.
- Termite droppings (Frass): Accumulated termite poop.
To learn more about these common signs of termite infestation, read our blog 5 Common Signs of Termite Infestation
Termite risk areas and recommendations
The technician inspecting your property will note any high risk areas that could be prone to future termite infestation and will provide recommendations on how to reduce your termite risk. These issues could include:
- Wood structures in contact with soil
- Excessive moisture from inadequate ventilation or water leaks
- Water accumulation, such as a leaking pool pump or hot water system
- Landscaping too close to the foundation or external walls
- Cracks or gaps in the foundation or external walls
- Poorly ventilated crawl spaces
Treatment recommendations for active termites
If termites are detected on your property, the technician will recommend appropriate treatments within their report, which may include:
- Chemical Treatments: Termiticide that is injected around the perimeter of the property to create a barrier.
- Bait Systems: Inground baiting stations installed on the property to draw termites away from the building and eliminate them.
Follow up inspections after termite treatments
If a termite treatment has been applied to your property, it’s important to have regular follow up inspections to ensure the treatment remains effective.
In most cases, the pest control company will arrange a follow up inspection schedule for any active termite treatments on your property..
After the infestation has been eradicated, a good pest control company will then periodically reach out to you to arrange termite inspections so that any future termite activity can be caught early on.
Reducing the chance of termite infestation with a termite management system
The likelihood of termites infesting a home is significantly reduced with the installation of a termite management system during a home’s construction. These systems are a proactive measure designed to prevent termites from covertly entering and causing costly damage to a structure.
Termite management systems are either physical barriers such Termimesh, that block termite access, or chemical barriers that rely on termiticides to deter or eliminate termites.
While the goal of these systems are to stop termites from ever entering your home, their effectiveness can diminish over time or fail. Therefore, it is still highly recommended that you have regular termite inspections conducted to ensure termites haven’t breached your installed system.
To learn more about the different types of termite management system, read our blog Understanding Termite Management Systems for New Homes
Conclusion
Termite inspections are absolutely vital for both residential and commercial property owners, as Australia experiences high levels of termite activity throughout the year.
Being proactive with termite inspections can help detect and address termite infestations early on and save you costly repair bills.
Understanding the process undertaken in a termite inspection helps property owners make informed decisions and take necessary precautions to protect their property. Being proactive is key to safeguarding your property’s value and structural integrity from termites.
If you haven’t had a termite inspection recently, discovered your termite treatment has lapsed or found active termites on your property, book a termite inspection with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. My neighbour has termites. Should I be worried?
A. If your neighbour’s property has had a confirmed infestation, termites may have also spread to your property, as they can travel 50 to 100 metres away from their nest. We recommend that you have a termite inspection completed immediately.
Q. I have a steel framed house. Is a termite inspection still worth it?
A. Yes, absolutely. Even though steel framed houses are less susceptible to termite damage compared to timber framed houses, a regular termite inspection is still important. Termites can cause significant damage to other timber elements in your home, such as furniture, cabinets, or wooden fixtures.
Q. Why does my home and content insurance not cover termite damage?
A. Home and content insurance typically does not cover damage caused by termites because it is considered a preventable maintenance issue. Insurance policies generally cover sudden and accidental damage. Termite damage is often seen as a result of long-term neglect rather than a sudden, unforeseeable event.
