How Often Should A Termite Inspection Be Done?
Termite Inspections
Termites do more damage to Australian homes than fires, storms and earthquakes put together. Termite invasions are frustrating, costly, damaging, and downright devastating. Eating from the inside out, termite damage can be substantial by the time it is detected. Annual termite inspections on your property by a qualified timber pest technician are highly recommended and knowing about the early signs of termite infestation is the key to a fast and long-term solution.
How Do I Know If My Place Has Termites?
· Hollowed wood, with outer shell of wood intact
· Earthen shelter tubes and mud packing on brickwork in sub-floor areas or around home
· Flight tubes from the release of alates (winged form of termites)
· Flight cuts in trees
· Swarms of alates flying from the colony (usually in November/December)
· Presence of termite castes in trees or workings
· Noises
· Presence of mounds or nests in trees.
For more information please visit our termite centre
Visual Inspection
A visual timber pest inspection can be found in the Australian Standard 3660. The inspection reports on Termite activity in your dwelling and up to 50 meters from the dwelling.
In most cases your home is the most expensive item you might own. Termites can result in significant damage and financial loss. The Australian Standard recommends that a Visual Timber Pest Inspection should be conducted every 12 months
During each inspection we inspect the following areas:
- Grounds, landscaping, fences, exterior, interior and roof void.
- During that inspection we would carry out a visual check of all exposed timbers, including skirtings, architraves to doors and windows, ceiling timbers as well as to fences, gardens and landscaping.
- There is a special focus on areas close the structure/s to matters such as weep holes; closeness of gardens, plants, shrubs and trees; areas of excessive moisture; poor building practices (from a termite management point of view); bathrooms, toilets and kitchen areas, and ceiling spaces.
Termite Dog Inspection
Detecting timber pests using traditional techniques such as a visual inspection can sometimes be problematic because timber may be infested but not show any visible signs such as emergence holes or frass. Prevailing weather conditions & or the quality and accuracy of information can hinder visual inspections. Hence Sydney’s Best Pest Control can offer you a solution, a termite inspection dog.
A detection dog is trained to use its sense of smell to detect a specific odour. It is then taught to indicate that it has detected the odour.
Why use a termite dog?
· When a sub floor inspection is not possible due to a no access hole or there are clearance problems between ground and timbers
· If termites have just entered the property and there is no visible evidence to internal timbers
· Termite Detection Dogs are the only detection tool that can detect termites in floor boards if carpet is present.
Preparations
Sydney’s Best Pest Control recommends that if possible, the following steps be followed to ensure an easier, quicker & more thorough inspection.
1. Remove any storage from the areas under sinks in bathrooms and the kitchen.
2. Remove anything that is within a metre or so of the exterior of your house.
3. Move anything that is within a metre or so of the exterior of your garage
4. Trim all bushes and plants around the outside of your home as these could also conceal damage that is important for your inspector to see.
Inspection reports
On completion of the inspection you will be emailed a completed inspection report. Our thorough inspections result in reports which are understandable for everybody with recommendations and findings. Our reports include
- Termite activity
- Termite workings and damage
- Termite nests
- Susceptible areas
- Conducive conditions
- Moisture areas; drainage problems & water leaks
- Fungal decay
- Suspected trees and stumps
- Treatments required
- Recommendations how to resolve any found issues
FAQs
My home is on a concrete slab so doesn’t this mean I won’t get termites?
This is a common misconception. Termites readily penetrate concrete slab floors through gaps such as expansion joints and cracks and also alongside service penetrations such as pipes, drains, electrics etc.
Termites can also gain entry over the outside edge of the slab floor, sometimes by building mud shelter tubes that protect termites from the elements.
In recent years, timber framed, brick veneer homes built on concrete slabs have become extremely popular. This form of construction is one of the highest risk types in terms of termite attack.
If I have a full brick home, does that mean I don’t have to worry about termites?
No. The roof structure in a full brick home is supported by timber framing and termites can gain access by travelling inside the cavity walls. Also, where this type of home has a suspended timber floor, termites can severely damage the flooring and supporting bearers and joists.
Do I need to leave the property?
No, unless of course you want to. Termite controllers primarily use no or low odour materials in and around homes and businesses. If however you would feel more comfortable with leaving, or are chemically sensitive, then let the Technician know.
How long will the inspection take?
Usually, depending on the size of your house and property, it takes less about 1-2 hours. A skilled, experienced technician will check the entire house thoroughly, from foundation to roof.
