Summer is when pests go from background nuisance to front-and-centre risk. Warm, humid weather accelerates breeding cycles for the big four: termites, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and ants. A proactive plan now can prevent costly repairs, reduce health risks, and, if you’re selling, protect buyer confidence and your contract.
Termites: Brisbane’s highest-stakes risk
Termites are active year-round here, but summer moisture and warm nights amplify foraging.
What I recommend before peak season
- Book a professional timber pest inspection at least annually (6–12 months in high-risk areas or if you’ve had termite pressure nearby).
- Keep the slab edge, weep holes, and perimeter inspection zones visible and unobstructed.
- Don’t bridge or cover inspection zones with soil, garden beds, pavers, or turf.
- Keep mulch light and pulled back from the house perimeter.
- Repair leaks (showers, hot water systems, AC overflows, gutters/downpipes) and improve drainage to remove constant moisture sources.
- Store firewood, cardboard, landscaping timbers, and garden sleepers off the ground and away from exterior walls.
- If you see mud tubes or damaged timber, do not disturb them, call a licensed technician immediately. Breaking tubes can push colonies deeper and complicate treatment.
Treatment options if activity is found
- Localised spot treatments can stop active galleries, but we nearly always recommend an integrated approach.
- Soil treatments/chemical zones installed to code can provide durable protection, particularly for slab-on-ground homes.
- Termite monitoring and baiting systems offer colony elimination with minimal disruption and are a strong choice around complex structures or sensitive sites.
Mosquitoes: health and comfort
Container-breeding mosquitoes love Brisbane backyards in summer. The single biggest win is eliminating standing water that allows eggs and larvae to develop.
- Empty or refresh water in buckets, pet bowls, plant saucers, and birdbaths frequently.
- Clear blocked gutters and ensure rainwater tanks are mosquito-proofed with screens.
- Maintain lawns and trim dense foliage where adult mosquitoes rest.
- Use door and window screens; consider fans for outdoor areas to disrupt mosquito flight.
- For official guidance on backyard mosquito control (including removing standing water), see Brisbane City Council’s advice.
Cockroaches: sanitation, proofing, and targeted treatments
- Deep clean kitchens: degrease rangehoods, clean under appliances, and remove food debris.
- Store food in sealed containers; empty bins nightly and use liners with tight-fitting lids.
- Seal cracks, gaps around pipes, expansion joints, and kickboards; fit door sweeps to external doors.
- Use targeted gel baits and insect growth regulators (IGRs) as part of a professional program for sustainable control.
Ants: exclusion and habitat changes
- Trim vegetation touching walls and roofs; ants use foliage as bridges.
- Fix weeps and leaks; reduce accessible water.
- Seal entry points around windows, doors, and conduits.
- Use non-repellent sprays or baits along trails identified by a professional, repellents can cause colony splitting and worsen the issue.
Rodents: proofing first, baiting safely
- Seal gaps larger than a pencil around services, vents, and under doors.
- Fix external rubbish storage; elevate and seal pet food.
- Use lockable bait stations and snap traps positioned along walls and known runs; keep out of reach of children and pets.
- In multi-dwelling setups, coordinate with neighbours/body corporate for best results.
Room-by-room pre-summer checklist
- Exterior and yard
- Clear vegetation off walls/roof; keep garden beds back from the slab edge and weep holes.
- Repair guttering, downpipes, and stormwater drainage; remove standing water.
- Store timber off the ground and away from the house.
- Keep inspection zones visible; don’t cover weep holes or slab edges.
- Subfloor (if applicable)
- Ensure good airflow; clear debris and stored items.
- Check ant caps, posts, and bearers for mud tubes or moisture issues.
- Kitchens and laundries
- Deep clean, fix leaks, caulk gaps, and use sealed containers.
- Bathrooms
- Reseal/tile grouts; fix slow leaks; ventilate well.
- Roof void
- Check for entry points, nests, and droppings; proof potential access.
If you’re selling this summer, what buyers and building/pest inspectors notice
As both a contractor and seller, I’ve seen contracts wobble over preventable pest and moisture issues. To keep buyer confidence high:
- Provide a recent, independent timber pest inspection report.
- Remedy minor moisture defects (leaks, drainage, overwatering near the house).
- Keep inspection zones clear and visible, inspectors will note obstructions as risk factors.
- Disclose any past termite treatments; make treatment certificates and warranties available.
- Implement a basic mosquito and rodent management plan before the first open home (screens intact, bins managed, no standing water).
- Consider a pre-listing pest service targeting cockroaches and ants to reduce buyer “ick” factors at open homes.
Insurance and compliance notes
- Home insurance in Australia generally excludes termite damage because it’s considered preventable and a maintenance issue. Keep your inspection schedule up to date and file reports and invoices. This documentation matters for future buyers and risk management.
- Maintain access to your termite management system (labels, site plans, and renewal dates). If you’ve got a soil treatment or monitoring/baiting system, keep it serviced on schedule to retain effectiveness.
When to call a professional
- You see termite mud tubes, live insects, or hollow-sounding timber.
- Persistent cockroach or ant activity after store-bought treatments.
- Mosquitoes remain heavy despite removing water sources (you may have cryptic breeding or drainage issues).
- Rodent noise/droppings in roof voids or subfloor continues more than a few days.
What a comprehensive summer service includes
- Timber pest inspection with moisture mapping and thermal where indicated.
- Written report with risk conditions and a practical action plan.
- Targeted treatments for cockroaches/ants, plus recommendations for sealing and sanitation.
- Rodent proofing advice and safe bait station placement.
- Yard and drainage recommendations to remove standing water and reduce mosquito pressure.
Final word from the toolshed
Summer in Brisbane rewards the homes that prepare: keep moisture down, inspection zones clear, and sanitation tight. Combine that with an annual termite inspection (more frequently in high-risk pockets), and you’ll prevent 90% of the problems I’m called out for in January-March. If you’re planning to sell, doing this now sets you up for cleaner reports and fewer contract delays. Book an appointment to protect your home.