How often should I get a termite inspection in Melbourne?
Australian Standard AS 3660.2 recommends a termite inspection at least once every 12 months, and more often in high-risk areas. Homes with timber framing, sub-floors, garden beds against the walls or nearby trees and bushland are at higher risk. Anyone buying a home should also get a pre-purchase timber pest inspection.
Signs you have termites
- Mud tubes on concrete slabs, brick piers or foundation walls
- Timber that sounds hollow when tapped, or breaks easily
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick or will not close
- Bubbling or wavy paint and sagging plaster or ceilings
- Swarms of winged termites or piles of discarded wings near windows
Why termites need a professional inspection
Termites avoid light and air, so they stay hidden inside walls, floors and roof timbers. Home insurance in Australia often does not cover termite damage. Regular inspections find activity early, when treatment is simpler, and give you a written record. Disturbing termites or spraying them yourself can drive the colony into a new part of the house.
How Pestor treats termites
Inspect
A visual inspection of accessible areas with moisture and thermal tools where appropriate, carried out to the relevant Australian Standards.
Report
A written report with findings, risk factors and photos, and recommended next steps.
Protect
If termites are active, a treatment plan using baiting and monitoring systems, chemical soil barriers, or both.
Maintain
Scheduled monitoring and annual inspections to keep your protection current.
Before your termite inspection
- Clear access to the roof manhole, sub-floor and any outbuildings
- Move stored items away from internal and external walls where possible
- Do not disturb or spray any termites you find. Leave them for the inspector
- Have any past termite reports or treatment certificates ready
Prevention tips
- Keep garden beds and mulch below the weep holes and away from walls
- Fix leaking taps, downpipes and hot water overflows near the house
- Remove old stumps, sleepers and timber lying on the ground
- Keep sub-floors well ventilated and dry
- Book an inspection at least once a year
Common species in Melbourne
| Name | Scientific name | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Giant northern / subterranean termite | Coptotermes spp. | The most destructive group in southern Australia, responsible for most house damage around Melbourne. |
| Dampwood and drywood termites | Various | Less common in Melbourne homes but found in damp timber and imported furniture. |
FAQs about termites
What is a pre-purchase timber pest inspection?
An inspection of a property you plan to buy, checking for termites, borers and wood decay and the conditions that attract them. It is usually done alongside a building inspection before a contract becomes unconditional, and is commonly carried out to Australian Standard AS 4349.3.
What is the difference between termite baiting and a chemical barrier?
Baiting systems use stations in the ground around the home. Termites feed on the bait and spread it through the colony. A chemical barrier treats the soil around and under the building so termites cannot reach it undetected. Many homes benefit from a combination.
Are termites covered by home insurance?
Many Australian home insurance policies exclude termite damage. Check your policy. Regular inspections are the best protection.
Are termites and white ants the same thing?
Yes. "White ants" is a common name for termites, although they are not ants at all.
I found termites. What should I do?
Do not disturb or spray them. Leave the area as it is and call us. Disturbing them can make the colony move, which makes treatment harder.