Here’s a question we get asked constantly: how often should you get a termite inspection?
Generally, our answer is pretty much the same – once a year at minimum. But for a lot of Brisbane homes, that’s not enough.
Let us explain why…
Termites in South East Queensland don’t behave the way they do in cooler parts of the country:
- Down south, you get a genuine winter slowdown.
- Up here, the warmth and humidity keep colonies active and hungry pretty much year-round.
In fact, we’ve seen properties where serious structural damage happened in less than 12 months – and the owners had no idea until we got in there to have a really thorough look. That’s not meant to alarm you. It’s just the reality of living in one of the most termite-active regions in the country.
So yes, once a year is the baseline. But there are a handful of factors that should push that frequency up:
1. Your property has had termites before
If your home has needed termite treatment in the past, it needs more frequent termite inspections going forward – full stop.
Termites don’t forget about a food source just because you dealt with them once. A treated property should be inspected every 6 months, not every twelve.
We’d rather catch early activity and deal with it quickly than have a client call us 12 months later with a much bigger problem on their hands.
2. You’re in a high-risk area
Some suburbs and environments carry higher termite pressure than others.
Is your property:
- Backing onto bushland?
- Near creek lines?
- Surrounded by mature trees?
If so, you’re at significantly elevated risk. So are homes with older timber construction, poor subfloor ventilation, or a history of moisture issues. If any of these apply to your property, six-monthly inspections are well worth serious consideration.
For termite inspection Brisbane wide, we’d say at least a third of the residential properties we visit fall into this higher-risk category – and most of their owners don’t realise it.
3. You have a timber construction or an older home
Older homes – particularly those built before the 1980s – often used timber framing and flooring throughout, which gives termites a lot more to work with.
Modern builds typically include physical or chemical termite protection as part of construction, but that protection has a lifespan. If you’re not sure what protection your home has or when it was last checked, that’s reason enough to book an inspection now.
4. You’ve noticed warning signs
This one should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway – don’t ignore the obvious warning signs!:
- Mud leads on your walls or stumps
- Hollow-sounding timber
- Doors or windows that have suddenly started sticking
- Visible damage to skirting boards or flooring.
If any of that sounds familiar, don’t wait for your annual inspection! Call someone immediately – and we mean right now! When termites are visible, they’ve usually been there for a while.
5. You haven’t had one in over a year
We know this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people we speak to who genuinely can’t remember their last termite inspection.
We know life gets busy, and also that it’s not the kind of thing you think about … until something goes wrong, that is. Before you know it, three years can easily pass.
If that’s you, the answer to ‘when should you get a termite inspection’ is very simple:
Now!
What about termite inspection cost?
We understand termite inspection cost is a consideration for a lot of homeowners – especially when there’s no visible problem, and it can feel like an unnecessary expense. But here’s the way we’d encourage you to think about it:
A professional inspection costs a fraction of what termite treatment costs – and termite treatment costs a fraction of what structural repairs cost!
An inspection really is the cheapest part of the whole equation. It’s also the part that makes the other two far less likely to ever occur.
Is termite inspection necessary if my home is treated?
That’s a reasonable question, and it comes up a lot. But the answer is clearly “yes”.
Termite control measures – whether chemical barriers, baiting systems or physical membranes – all have finite lifespans and can be compromised over time by soil movement, landscaping changes or general wear. An inspection confirms your protection is still intact and doing its job.
Without regular inspections, you can have a false sense of security that leaves you seriously exposed.
So how often is often enough?
For most Brisbane homes, once a year is where you start. But it could be every 6 months if:
- You’re in a high-risk area
- You’ve had previous termite activity
- You own an older timber property.
And if you’ve noticed anything that doesn’t look right – don’t wait for any particular schedule at all – just get straight onto it!
Termites are patient, quiet … and extraordinarily good at what they do. Regular inspections are how you stay one step ahead of them.
If you’re based on Brisbane’s Northside and you’re overdue – or just not sure – get in touch with Dale’s Pest Control for a thorough inspection, an honest assessment and an obligation-free quote.