Frequently Asked Questions | Termite Inspection Melbourne

Industry guidance and most home insurance and building-warranty terms recommend a minimum of one professional termite inspection every 12 months, and every 6 months for higher-risk properties — those with established gardens close to the foundation, known clay soils, timber-in-ground contact, or a prior history of termite activity nearby. Annual inspection is what catches early warning signs while treatment is still simple and inexpensive, well before the sagging floors and structural repairs that come with a colony left undetected for years.

A standard residential inspection typically takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on property size, subfloor and roof void access, and how much of the perimeter needs assessment. Larger homes, properties with extensive gardens, or those requiring more thorough thermal imaging and moisture mapping can run longer. Commercial properties and pre-purchase inspections covering both building and pest assessment usually take longer again given the broader scope involved.

A clear, unobstructed manhole or crawl space access point is needed for both the subfloor and roof void wherever they exist on the property. Stored items, overgrown vegetation, or debris blocking an access hatch is one of the most common reasons an inspection can't fully assess an area — where access genuinely isn't possible, this is documented in the report as a limitation rather than silently skipped over.

Yes. Every termite inspection we conduct is carried out and reported to AS 4349.3, the Australian Standard specifically governing timber pest inspections, covering what a compliant report must assess, how findings are classified, and the non-invasive inspection methodology used. AS4349.3 termite standard compliance is what most insurers, conveyancers and lenders expect to see, and it's the benchmark our AEPMA-certified technicians are trained against on every job.

For most residential inspections, someone over 18 needs to be present to provide property access and answer any questions about previous pest history, but you don't need to follow the technician around the entire time. If you can't be there in person, arranging access through an agent, property manager or key safe is fine, and we're always available by phone afterwards to walk through the findings with you directly.

A termite inspection specifically focuses on timber pest activity — subterranean termites, drywood termites, wood borers and fungal decay — assessed to the AS4349.3 standard. A broader "pest inspection" can also include general pests like ants, cockroaches, rodents and spiders. Our standard termite inspection includes a general visual pest assessment as part of the same visit, so most residential clients get both covered without booking two separate services.

A chemical soil barrier is applied once, either by trenching and treating the soil around the entire perimeter or by injecting product beneath a concrete slab, creating a continuous treated zone termites can't cross undetected. A reticulation system installs a network of pipes around the perimeter during construction (or retrofitted after), allowing future chemical top-ups to be reapplied through the pipe network without re-trenching. Reticulation costs more upfront but makes future retreatment significantly less invasive — worth considering for a long-term property investment.

Termidor is a widely used non-repellent termiticide — termites can't detect it and avoid it the way they can with older repellent chemicals, so they walk through the treated zone, pick up the active ingredient, and carry it back to the colony through normal grooming and feeding contact, eventually affecting the wider colony rather than just the individuals that made direct contact. This transfer effect is what makes non-repellent termiticides like Termidor significantly more effective at addressing an entire colony compared with older repellent-only products.

Most chemical soil barrier treatments carry a manufacturer-backed effective life of up to 8 years under normal conditions, though actual longevity depends on soil type, treatment quality, and whether the barrier is disturbed by later landscaping or construction work. Physical barriers (stainless steel mesh, graded stone) are generally rated for the life of the structure since they work mechanically rather than chemically, without needing reapplication.

Yes — qualifying termite barrier treatments come with a written warranty covering the treatment for its rated effective life, subject to the standard conditions around annual inspection and not disturbing the treated zone through unauthorised landscaping or construction. Full warranty terms are provided in writing before treatment begins, and an annual inspection to confirm the barrier remains intact is typically a warranty condition worth keeping on your calendar.

Both. Reticulation systems are easiest to install during construction since the pipe network goes in before the slab or footings are finished, but a full chemical soil barrier can be retrofitted onto an existing home through trenching and, where a slab is involved, drilling and injection beneath it. Physical barriers can also be retrofitted in some circumstances depending on the existing structure. Our technician assesses your specific property to recommend the most practical and effective option.

HACCP compliance requires a documented, ongoing pest management program rather than a one-off spray — we provide scheduled inspections, targeted treatment, monitoring station placement, and a written service report after every visit that satisfies council health inspectors and HACCP auditors reviewing your pest management file. Treatment is scheduled around your trading hours wherever possible, and we can provide a written pre-treatment checklist ahead of any scheduled visit.

Non-repellent gel baiting is placed in cracks, voids and behind fixed equipment — coolroom motors, dishwasher surrounds, wall cavities behind cooking lines — well away from food-contact surfaces, so service continues uninterrupted during and after application. This is combined with insect growth regulators to break the breeding cycle over subsequent weeks, and a documented monitoring schedule, all without requiring the kitchen to close for a standard infestation.

Yes — most commercial and hospitality clients schedule treatment around closing time, a quiet trading period, or a planned shutdown window specifically to avoid any customer-facing disruption or visibility. We work directly with your management team to find a window that fits your operating hours rather than applying a generic schedule.

Yes — every commercial treatment includes a dated, itemised service report suitable for your pest management compliance file, documenting what was found, what was treated, and the products used. This is exactly the paper trail council inspectors and HACCP auditors expect to review, and we're happy to provide extra copies directly ahead of a scheduled inspection if you need them.

How much is a termite inspection Victoria-wide varies by provider, but our pricing starts from $270 + GST for a small property, $300 + GST for a medium 3-bedroom home, and $330 + GST for a large property, with a same-day digital report targeted where possible. Commercial properties and larger or unusual sites require a custom on-site quote. Every price is confirmed in writing before the inspection, with thermal imaging and moisture meter readings included as standard rather than billed as extras.

Our pricing is fixed and confirmed in writing before any work begins — the price you're quoted through the booking calculator or over the phone is the price on your invoice, with no surprise call-out fees, no undisclosed travel charges, and no "discovered extras" added after the technician has already started. If additional work is genuinely needed beyond the original scope (a follow-up treatment, for example), that's always discussed and agreed before proceeding, never added retroactively.

We service 199+ Melbourne suburbs from our Clyde North base, covering the Melbourne Metropolitan Area broadly, South East Melbourne, Eastern Melbourne, Northern Melbourne, Western Melbourne, and the Mornington Peninsula. If you're unsure whether your specific suburb is covered, a quick call to 0466 929 533 or entering your postcode into the booking calculator will confirm availability and any relevant travel considerations.

Same-day termite inspection quote requests are usually answered within minutes during business hours through our online booking calculator, which gives you an exact fixed price before you enter any contact details. Same-day and urgent appointment availability depends on your suburb and technician route — call before 9am for the best chance of same-day dispatch.

Yes — VIP Member online booking discounts are regularly available and applied at checkout, and returning customers are welcome to ask about loyalty pricing when booking a repeat annual inspection or follow-up treatment. Current offers are always shown on the booking calculator before you confirm, so you'll see exactly what applies to your booking upfront.