Finding the right person to carry out termite inspection services on your home or business can be tricky. While there are many great technicians out there, there are unfortunately just as many who fall short. Below you will find comprehensive information on termite inspections and treatments to help you make a more informed decision — including what to expect during an inspection, what a fair price looks like, and why choosing the right termite inspection company matters more than you might think.
A termite inspection is recommended by Australian Standards to be carried out at intervals not exceeding 12 months. Some properties may have recommendations for inspections at a shorter interval, which would be due to the property being at very high risk of termite attack or having just had a termite control treatment carried out.
The reason termite inspections are recommended in this time frame is that some properties may not have a termite management plan, while others do but it is designed to make termite entry visible rather than prevent it. The purpose of the inspection is to make sure that termites have not breached this system. It is in the homeowner’s interest to get the best inspection they can, as an inspection is only as good as the person who carries it out and the day it is done.
Termites can potentially turn up shortly after an inspection and will not be picked up until the next one. The shorter the time period between inspections, the less risk there is of extensive termite damage to the house or timber structure — which means much less repair work and, in the end, significant savings.
Our standard termite inspection follows the recommendations set by Australian Standards and is what most pest control firms will offer. During this inspection, we carry out a standard visual inspection of your property and also include our Testo 882 thermal camera at no extra charge. We generally recommend this inspection for properties with excellent access — that is, good access to all areas beneath a subfloor if your house has a suspended floor, or if your house is on a concrete slab with 75 mm of concrete slab edge exposure.
This inspection exceeds the base requirements recommended by the Australian Standard and implements equipment that the Standard recommends but does not consider essential — unless there are suspicious areas of possible termite activity that cannot be determined otherwise. In this inspection, we use our thermal camera, our Termite Detection Dogs, and Termatrac to deliver a far more accurate result.
We recommend this level of inspection on almost all concrete slab houses, as nearly all of them do not have 75 mm of concrete slab exposure — and on any house with restricted access, especially in the subfloor area, or where houses are joined to each other.
As previously mentioned, our reports will state any obstructions that may affect our ability to find termites. If your property has any restrictions as mentioned above, having a standard termite inspection done may only be as high as 30% accurate. However, if we were to use our termite detection dog and carry out the high-end inspection, accuracy would be over 90%. This is a huge difference for a small additional investment.
For those requiring termite inspection Taree or the surrounding Mid North Coast region, our high-end inspection service is available and highly recommended for properties with limited access.
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A termite treatment should only be carried out by a professional. Quite often we come across people who have tried to do the work themselves, only to fail and make the job harder for us to fix. Termites are actually not hard to kill individually — it is stopping them from getting into your house that is hard, or eliminating the nest entirely. When you see termites in your house, that may only be 1% or less of what is actually present on your property.
There are many ways to treat for termites, including termite dust or foams, termite baiting, termite monitoring stations, and chemical ground treatment. Not all of these treatments are used on one house — it is usually up to the termite technician to determine which treatment will best suit the property that needs to be protected. From there, it comes down to what options are affordable.
A termite treatment is expected to follow two rules: the Australian Standards and the product label used. The Australian Standard states that colony control is supposed to be gained first, and then a management plan should be implemented after colony control is achieved. Product labels have varying rules depending on the product and how and where it should be applied in order to get effective results.
To start with, you should understand that arsenic dust has now been banned in occupied residences. There are other safer options available. This form of treatment is essentially a spot treatment to try and gain colony control. While these products can work effectively, they need to be applied to all active areas and entry points to achieve the best results. If this is not done, it is very common for these treatments to fail — that is, not gain colony control — and this is usually due to the termite technician not identifying all points of activity.
There are many different termite baits on the market. Some baits work better than others, but at the end of the day it comes down to what the termites want to eat. The hardest part of a termite baiting job is getting the termites to feed on the bait — once they are feeding, it is only a matter of time until the colony is eliminated. Termite baits are all insect growth regulators. When termites go to moult, the active ingredient in the bait prevents this and causes the termite to die. It is important to understand that the termite workers are the only ones that moult, but by effectively eradicating the workers from a nest, all food sources are removed and the rest of the colony will starve and die. If a termite baiting program has been implemented and termites are feeding on the bait, it is 100% effective at eliminating that particular colony. Note that it does not provide any protection from additional attacks, so other strategies need to be implemented. All termite baits are a non-toxic means of gaining termite control.
Certain products are registered for the control of termites. The way they work is by binding with soil particles and preventing termites from travelling through that particular soil — or if they do travel through it, they will die. These products fall into two categories: repellents and non-repellents.
Termites have the ability to detect chemicals in the ground before they pass through them. Therefore, a repellent product should never be used if termites are active in a house, as the termites can detect the product in the soil and will try to avoid it. This can cause termite entrapment in the house or force them to find a way around the product and possibly become undetectable. Bugs Or Us Pest Control will generally only use these types of products on a house that does not currently have termites.
A non-repellent product allows termites to travel through the product and die, and therefore does not generally cause termite entrapment.
Some of the chemicals we use include Biflex (a repellent), or non-repellent chemicals such as Termidor, Termidor HE, Premise, or Altriset.
Our residential termite inspection service covers all property types — from single-storey homes to multi-level houses, older timber constructions, and modern concrete slab builds. Whether you are an existing homeowner wanting peace of mind or a buyer undertaking a pre-purchase timber pest inspection, our team ensures a thorough examination of your entire property.
We understand that your home is your greatest asset. Our inspectors bring over 20 years of experience, industry-leading equipment, and a methodical approach to every residential job, giving you a detailed, accurate report you can rely on.
Our commercial termite inspection service is designed for businesses, strata properties, industrial facilities, and investment portfolios. Termites can cause catastrophic structural damage to commercial premises, often going undetected for extended periods within wall cavities and floor systems. Early detection through regular professional inspections is the most cost-effective way to prevent costly repairs and business disruption.
Bugs Or Us Pest Control provides flexible inspection scheduling to minimise disruption to your operations, along with comprehensive written reports suitable for insurance and compliance purposes.
Ultimately, yes — if you are using the right inspectors. While you might feel that you are throwing money away year after year for someone to tell you that you do not have termites, that one time they do find termites — and it has only been 12 months since your last inspection rather than 10 years — you could be saving tens of thousands of dollars in repair work. Once someone has had a termite problem, they soon become more vigilant about having termite inspections done more regularly.
If you are searching for termite inspection near me, Bugs Or Us Pest Control serves homeowners and businesses throughout NSW with reliable, professional inspections.
All reports are written or approved by our insurance companies, assuming your inspector is insured, so there are set questions we are required to answer and limitations on where we are able to access — all in accordance with the Australian Standard. In your report, we will comment on whether we feel there are active termites, whether there has been previous termite damage, whether a previous termite management plan has been implemented, and any conditions that may be conducive to termite attack. We are also able to carry out a termite management plan proposal that will best suit your property if necessary.
Like all inspections, we attempt to gain access to all accessible areas of the house — the subfloor, interior, roof void, and grounds where applicable — and use our extensive training to detect any evidence of past or current termite activity. We use a vast array of tools to try and identify any termite problems that need to be reported on.
You should expect to pay from about $220–$240 in most areas, and from $300 in Sydney for a basic standard termite inspection on a standard-sized house. There are always variables that may affect pricing, including:
Those searching for termite pest inspection Sydney can rely on Bugs Or Us Pest Control for transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden costs.
Understanding what happens during your inspection helps set expectations and ensures a smooth experience. Here is an overview of our inspection process:
Step 1: Initial Property
Assessment Before beginning, our certified termite inspector will assess the property type, age, construction method, and surrounding environment to determine the most appropriate inspection method and tools required.
Step 2: Exterior Inspection
We examine the perimeter of the property, including garden beds, timber fences, tree stumps, retaining walls, and other structures that may harbour termite activity or provide entry points to the building.
Step 3: Interior Inspection
We inspect all accessible interior areas including skirting boards, door frames, window frames, built-in cabinetry, and wall cavities using thermal imaging and moisture detection equipment.
Step 4: Subfloor and Roof Void
Where applicable, we inspect the subfloor and roof void — two of the most common areas for undetected termite activity.
Step 5: Advanced Detection Tools
Depending on the inspection level selected, we deploy our Termatrac T3i for radar-based movement detection and our termite detection dog for scent-based identification of active termite colonies.
Step 6: Written Report Following the inspection
We produce a comprehensive written report in accordance with Australian Standards, detailing findings, risk factors, and recommended actions.
A certified termite inspector is a licensed pest control professional who holds the appropriate state-issued licence to carry out pest management work, including termite inspections and treatments. In NSW, this is governed by the Pesticides Act and associated regulations. A certified inspector must hold a Pest Management Technician licence and have completed the relevant training and assessment.
When engaging a termite inspector, always confirm they are licensed and insured. At Bugs Or Us Pest Control, all of our inspectors are fully certified and our reports are backed by professional indemnity insurance, giving you complete peace of mind.
An invasive termite inspection will be recommended by a termite inspector when they have a suspicious indication of termites but cannot visually confirm this. They will then request to remove some wall lining or drill holes in areas to try and determine if there is termite activity.
At Bugs Or Us Pest Control, we use all of our equipment — including our termite detection dog and Termatrac — to provide a much more accurate inspection prior to recommending an invasive procedure. This is because most pest control firms rely solely on high moisture readings, whereas we rely on our termite detection dog’s nose and the Termatrac detecting movement. The last thing any homeowner wants is holes put in their wall for what turns out to be no termite activity.
As a leading termite inspection company on the NSW Mid North Coast and beyond, Bugs Or Us Pest Control uses industry-leading technology to carry out inspections at a higher level of accuracy than the large majority of competitors. Our field of specialty is termite inspection work — evidenced by the full suite of equipment we have invested in, including our termite detection dog, thermal imaging, and Termatrac T3i.
In combination with these tools and over 20 years of experience, we set ourselves apart from over 99% of other pest control businesses.
We use our Termatrac T3i, thermal imaging, and termite detection dog to determine exactly where pests are hidden within your home or business. Even if termites cannot be visually seen, these tools help us detect them and save you money. By using these tools, your inspection can be up to three times more likely to detect active termites compared to inspectors not using additional equipment.
We combine our highly effective tools with more than 20 years of experience to stay ahead of 99% of other pest control businesses. We also stay in regular contact with chemical manufacturers, representatives, and trade shows to keep up to date with the latest products, equipment, and methods of treatment.
Our company and our staff are fully licensed and insured. This gives you peace of mind knowing that we follow the strictest industry and government standards when it comes to safety and quality. All staff and equipment are fully insured, so we are prepared for any unexpected circumstances that arise.
We take pride in delivering the highest levels of service excellence and customer satisfaction with every project. Our team operates through careful planning, professional execution, and clear communication with all clients. We let our results speak for themselves.
Our advanced thermal imaging cameras detect hidden termite activity behind your walls without any damage. Catch infestations early and save thousands on structural repairs. Request your free online estimate today!
Australian Standards recommend a termite inspection at intervals not exceeding 12 months. High-risk properties or those that have recently had a termite treatment may need inspections more frequently — sometimes every 3 to 6 months.
While you can look for obvious signs of termites yourself, a professional inspection using calibrated equipment is necessary to detect hidden activity. DIY inspections are not sufficient to satisfy Australian Standards and could leave significant infestations undetected.
A standard inspection follows the base requirements of Australian Standards and includes a visual check with a thermal camera. A high-end inspection also uses a termite detection dog and Termatrac T3i to detect concealed activity, increasing accuracy from approximately 30% to over 90% on restricted-access properties.
A standard inspection on a typical house usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. High-end inspections involving a detection dog and Termatrac may take longer depending on the size and complexity of the property.
If termites are found, your inspector will explain the extent of the infestation, the likely entry points, and the recommended treatment options. A written report will be provided, followed by a treatment proposal tailored to your property.
A pre-purchase timber pest inspection is not legally required but is strongly recommended. It can reveal existing termite damage or active infestations that may significantly affect the value and safety of the property.
Yes. Termite detection dogs are trained to detect live termites and active colonies by scent. When used alongside thermal imaging and Termatrac, they dramatically increase the accuracy of an inspection — particularly in properties with restricted access.
Not all systems are designed to prevent entry. Some are designed to make entry visible so it can be detected during the next inspection. This is why regular inspections remain important even when a management system is in place.
You should expect to pay from $220–$240 for a standard inspection in most areas, and from $300 in Sydney. High-end inspections using additional technology will be priced accordingly. Always be cautious of very low-cost quotes, as they may reflect a lower standard of service and reporting.
A repellent chemical creates a barrier that termites can detect and try to avoid, which can cause problems if termites are already inside the property. A non-repellent chemical allows termites to pass through it unknowingly and die, without causing entrapment. At Bugs Or Us Pest Control, we typically only use repellent products where no active infestation exists.