The following FAQ's will assist you with our comprehensive Pest and Termite Inspection reports.
1. My next-door neighbor has termites and is going to have his house treated. Are the termites going to attack my house next?
Termites move randomly through the soil searching for a source of food (wood)...
so they don't know where where your house is exactly. So, if your next-door neighbour treats his home for termites, your house isn't automatically the termites' next lunch. Your house does not need to be treated; but, if there are active termite infestations in your neighbourhood, it is a good idea to have it inspected.
2. What is a Timber Pest Inspection?
A Timber Pest Inspection is a VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY carried out in accordance with AS 4349.3 Inspection of buildings Part 3: Timber Pest Inspections. The Inspection is confined to reporting on the discovery, or non discovery, of infestation and/or damage caused by subterranean and dampwood termites (white ants), borers of seasoned timber and wood decay fungi, present on the date of the Inspection.
3. When are termites most common?
Once a colony is established, termites are a year-round problem. However, there is an increase in colony expansion activity during warm weather.
4. If treatment is done correctly, how long will the termiticide barrier be effective?
Before chlordane was taken off the market as a termiticide in May of 1988, it was the most widely used product for termite control because of its long-term effectiveness. In fact, a house could be protected for 20 years or more using chlordane or like products.
Chlordane was taken off the market because of misuse. The termiticides used today for termite control are much less persistent in the environment than the older chemicals. With the products today, you should expect a properly applied termite treatment to protect your home for five years.
5. What about inaccessible areas where an inspection is not possible?
No inspection is conducted, and no report is submitted, of inaccessible areas. These include, but may not be limited to, locked rooms, cavity walls, concealed frame timbers, eaves, flat roofs, fully enclosed patios subfloors, soil concealed by concrete floors, fireplace hearths, wall linings, landscaping, rubbish, floor coverings, furniture, pictures, appliances, stored items, insulation, hollow blocks/posts, etc.
However, the inspector will look for signs that are conductive to timber pest infestation such as high moisture areas, timber in ground contact, dead trees or stumps and poor ventilation and drainage. If the inspector feels that timber pest activity and/or damage may exist in concealed areas, an invasive inspection will be recommended in the Timber Pest Inspection Report. It is then up to you in conjunction with the homeowner (if different) to accept the recommended invasive inspection.
6. What is an invasive inspection?
With the permission of the owner of the premises a more invasive physical inspection can be performed that involves moving or lifting: insulation, stored items, furniture or foliage during the inspection. The inspector will physically touch, tap, test and when necessary force/gouge suspected accessible timbers. Access will be gained to areas, where physically possible and considered practical and necessary, by way of cutting traps and access holes. The style of report submitted on completion of an invasive inspection will be greater than a VISUAL INSPECTION. It involves disruption in the case of an occupied property, and some permanent marking is likely.
7. Does the Timber Pest Inspection and Report guarantee that the property is or is not free of timber pest activity or damage?
No. As mentioned previously, the inspection is limited to a VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY in accord with the requirements of AS 4349.3.
The visual inspection DOES NOT include breaking apart, dismantling, removing or moving objects including, but not limited to, foliage, mouldings, roof insulation/sisalation, floor or wall coverings, ceilings, floors, furnishings, appliances or personal possessions.
The inspector WILL NOT dig, gouge, force or perform any other invasive procedures unless a more invasive physical inspection is accepted by the owner of the premises.
Again, if the inspector is concerned with the possibility of concealed timber pest activity and or damage, an invasive inspection will be recommended in the report.
8. What can I expect to see in the Timber Pest Inspection Report?
The Timber Pest Inspection Report is quite detailed, anywhere from 7-15 pages long and will comment on, but is not limited to:
- All areas inspected
- All areas not inspected
- Areas in which the inspection was obstructed or restricted
- Areas in which an invasive inspection is recommended
- High risk areas where full access should be gained
- Whether Timber Pest activity and/or damage was located
- Whether signs of a possible previous termite treatment was located
- Whether a termite management program is required
- The overall degree of risk of subterranean termite infestation to the property
- All areas that are considered conductive to Timber Pest activity
- Recommended frequency of future inspections
9. What areas of the property are inspected for timber pest activity and damage?
Only structures, fences &/or trees within 50m of the building but within the property boundaries are inspected. The inspector will inspect and report upon the property interior, roof void, subfloor, property exterior, any outbuildings, fences and retaining walls etc.
10. Why is it important to have a Timber Pest Inspection and Report carried out?
If you are going to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a property, you need to be aware of the degree of risk of timber pest infestation. Even though the report is not a guarantee that timber pest activity and or damage does or does not exist, it is the best possible guide.
The limitations in carrying out the inspection may be great, however, if the inspector has concerns a more invasive inspection will be recommended. Not only that, the report will also outline how you can make the property less conductive to potential timber pest infestation.
The price you pay for a Timber Pest Inspection is small considering the value of your property, or the property you are considering purchasing. But, the information you receive in the report is valuable when making a decision on your home or investment.
