"While many people regularly maintain their vehicles and have annual health check-ups, home inspections for pests are often overlooked. This oversight can lead to costly consequences, particularly when dealing with termites.."
In Australia, the likelihood of termites invading your home is 12 times higher than experiencing a house fire. Despite this, most home insurance policies do not cover termite damage. Given that many termite species can cause significant damage in just six months, it’s essential for homeowners to implement a termite management plan.
A comprehensive termite management plan typically involves routine termite inspections and the installation of an appropriate termite management system. The plan is initiated by a timely termite inspection, which is something property owners would naturally be interested in understanding.
The standard inspection process primarily involves a visual examination of the property’s accessible areas by a skilled and experienced technician. Before the inspection begins, the technician will explain which areas will be inspected and which will not. If any areas are inaccessible during the inspection, they will be noted in the final inspection report, along with an explanation of why they were not inspected.
If a severe infestation is detected, the inspector may request access to private areas or the removal of necessary panels.
The termite inspection begins outside the property, with the technician carefully examining gardens, fences, and any existing tree stumps. These areas are often vulnerable to termite attacks or may even contain a termite nest. The inspection also includes structures within the property’s boundaries, such as outhouses, sheds, and garages.
After the outdoor spaces have been inspected, the internal inspection commences. This process involves checking all accessible rooms, window frames, door frames, and all available skirting boards. Roof voids and sub-floors must also be accessed for a proper assessment. If these areas are difficult to reach, Australian standards 4349.3 provide guidelines on what constitutes reasonable access to such crawl spaces.
Every area of the property should be inspected, but inspectors may skip the sub-floor space and the roof void for valid reasons. These exceptions are guided by specific criteria.
After the inspection, a detailed report of the technician’s findings is prepared. This report, which must meet Australian standards and be in a format approved by insurance companies, includes the inspector’s observations, the areas checked, the termite risk level, and recommendations on how to minimize this risk.
Furthermore, the termite species found in the property will be identified in the inspection report. This information is crucial for effectively controlling the termite population in the long term. The pest control technician may also recommend the best treatment options for managing the existing termite infestation.
If you’re about to purchase a new property or want to have your current investment checked for termites, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our technicians will conduct a thorough assessment of your property and provide clear recommendations for achieving long-term termite control. Call us today on 0448606078
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