In our humid subtropical climate, termites are not a matter of if, but when. Brisbane’s warmth, summer storms, and timber-rich housing stock create prime conditions for subterranean termites to thrive. Routine, professional termite inspections are the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy for your home’s structure and your property value.
Recommended Inspection Frequency In Brisbane
The Short Answer
- Standard Brisbane homes: every 12 months.
- Higher-risk homes or zones: every 6 months.
That lines up with Australian best practice (e.g., AS 4349.3 timber pest inspections) and QBCC guidance to inspect annually or more often in high-hazard areas.
Who Needs 6-Month Checks?
- Timber or pole homes (including classic Queenslanders).
- Properties near bushland, creeks, or golf-course green belts.
- Homes with existing or historical termite activity.
- Where chemical barriers are nearing end-of-life or physical systems have been bridged.
- Post-flood or after extended heavy rain events.
- Body corporate/townhouse complexes with shared gardens and irrigation.
Quick Reference For Homeowners
- Annual (12 months): Brick-on-slab suburban homes with up-to-date termite management systems and low surrounding pressure.
- Biannual (6 months): Timber subfloor, complex landscaping, older barriers, or persistent termite pressure in the area.
- Pre-sale or pre-purchase: Immediately, regardless of last inspection date.
Why Termite Inspections Matter In Brisbane’s Climate
Humidity And Warmth Drive Activity
Termites love moisture and stable temperatures. Brisbane’s climate means:
- Faster colony growth and foraging.
- Increased subfloor and perimeter soil moisture, especially after storms.
- Greater risk of concealed entry under landscaping and against slab edges.
Silent Structural Damage
Termites can hollow out framing behind intact paint. By the time you see distortion or sagging, structural rectifications can run five figures. A yearly $200–$350 inspection is a fraction of that.
What A Professional Termite Inspection Includes
Scope And Standards
A thorough inspection follows Australian Standards (commonly AS 4349.3 for timber pest inspections). A proper visit should include:
Internal
- Skirting boards, architraves, door jambs, and window reveals checked for sounding and probing anomalies.
- Wet areas (bathrooms, laundries, kitchens) scanned with moisture meters.
- Roof void assessment for leaks, timbers, and conducive conditions.
External
- Slab edges, weep holes, perimeter soil levels, and garden beds for bridging/bridging risk.
- Fences, outbuildings, timber landscaping, and retaining walls.
- Subfloor (if accessible): stumps, ant caps, bearers/joists, drainage, ventilation, and debris.
Tools And Reporting
- Moisture meter, thermal imaging (where needed), sounding/boring tools.
- Written report with photos, risk rating, and recommendations for management or remedial works.
Triggers For An Immediate Inspection
Don’t Wait For Your Anniversary Check If You Notice:
- Mud tunnels on foundations or subfloor stumps.
- Blistered or rippled paint. Hollow or papery-sounding skirtings.
- Discarded “winged ant” lookalikes near windows (alates).
- Sagging floors or sticking doors without obvious causes.
- Moist smells under the house or in cupboards.
- New garden beds, paving, or deck works that may bridge barriers.
Factors That Increase Your Inspection Frequency
Property And Site Risks
- Timber subfloor vs slab-on-ground.
- Poor subfloor ventilation, drainage, or plumbing leaks.
- Gardens, mulch, sleepers, and irrigation installed tight to the house.
- Landscaping or renovations that conceal or bridge slab edges.
- Previous termite activity on your property or neighbouring houses.
System And Maintenance Factors
- Age of chemical barriers (check your termite management notice in the meter box).
- Missed reticulation top-ups or bait station servicing.
- Physical systems (mesh/ant caps) that have been compromised or bypassed.
Selling Or Buying? Inspection Timing For Property Transactions
As A Seller
- Get a timber pest inspection 2–3 months before listing. You can fix conducive conditions and show buyers a clean, recent report.
- If your last inspection is older than 12 months, most informed buyers will request a fresh one anyway.
As A Buyer
- Always commission a pre-purchase timber pest inspection alongside your building inspection. This protects your finance, your due diligence, and your negotiation position.
- If activity is found, you may seek treatment, repairs, or price adjustments before settlement.
How To Stay Compliant And Protected
Align With Brisbane Expectations
- Book routine inspections (12 months standard, 6 months if higher risk).
- Maintain your termite management system per the installer’s guidance and management notice.
- Keep slab edges visible and clear of soil or garden beds.
- Retain inspection records, useful for warranties, insurance discussions, and future buyers.
For more homeowner guidance, review QBCC’s page: Protect Against Termites https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/your-property/maintain-protect/protect-against-termites.
Preventive Measures Between Inspections
Practical Steps I Recommend To Every Brisbane Owner
- Keep garden beds, mulch, and sleepers at least 75mm below slab edge. Never cover weep holes.
- Divert irrigation and hot water overflow away from the house perimeter.
- Fix downpipes, leaks, and drainage issues promptly.
- Store firewood and timber well off the ground and away from the house.
- Ensure subfloor vents are unobstructed. Improve cross-ventilation where possible.
- Don’t DIY-spray over termite evidence, call a licensed professional so activity can be correctly identified and treated.
Bullet-Point Summary: Brisbane Termite Inspection Frequency
- Standard Brisbane homes: every 12 months.
- High-risk homes or sites: every 6 months.
- After floods or big rain events: consider an immediate check.
- Pre-purchase and pre-sale: book a timber pest inspection right away.
- Maintain barriers and bait systems per manufacturer/QBCC guidance.
Book A Local Brisbane Termite Inspection
If you’re in doubt about your risk, or it’s been more than 12 months since your last inspection, get a licensed Brisbane technician out now. For local support, you can contact us here!