Termite Inspection vs. Pest Control: Understanding the Difference

The goal of this guide is to provide homeowners with a better understanding of what is involved in termite inspections and treatments in order to address common questions regarding termites, such as what they look like, how much it costs to get rid of them, and how much an inspection costs.

Obviously, don't hesitate to contact us as soon as possible if you suspect a threat to your home or if you discover what seems to be termites. A wide range of physical and chemical approaches are available for pest management, including barriers and traps. 

Termite Inspection: What Is It?

In order to detect termites or their damage, a termite inspector will visually examine the accessible portions of a house or structure. Termite inspections also involve finding potential termite breeding grounds. In such a situation, we will advise you on how to keep your home as free of termites as possible and give you advice on how to prevent them. Typical regions that are examined include:

• Edges of outside walls and building perimeters.
• Outside landscaping, fencing, and yard trees and stumps.
• Underneath structures or houses.
• Rooms within, such as door frames and skirting boards.
• Voids on the roof can be accessed.

Where Should We Look?

Our professionals will search for evidence of termite activity as well as any damage that termites may have done in the past or present during a termite inspection. Garden beds, spaces surrounding hot water units, bathrooms, and kitchens are all possible termite attack hotspots because of the dampness and damp conditions they provide.

A professional exterminator can frequently find termite damage long before the homeowner notices a problem since they are trained to recognise the telltale symptoms of the pests.

Which Tools Are Utilised?

In accordance with Australian requirements, we are required to use the following tools:]

• "Moisture Scan Tool" by Tramex, "Moisture Encounter Plus"
• Trumpet stick (Dinger instrument)
• A tool for driving screws
• Torch

To make sure they check every inch of the house for termite indications as soon as possible, they typically employ a combination of all of these tools and more.

Instruments for Termite Inspection and Their Application

The equipment utilised by our qualified pest control technicians to diagnose and identify potential termite infestations is briefly described below.

Thermal Imaging Cameras

Termite testers must have thermal imaging cameras, also called infrared cameras. These cameras are very expensive but necessary for their job. Termites or active water leaks can cause wetness or heat to get through walls, and these tools use a heatmap signature to help us find them. Because these thermal imaging termite inspection cams have a screen, it's easy to find places that need more research.

Termatrac Motion Sensors

This is a hand-held device that sends information about moving back to another device as a cell phone does. There will be an alarm if there are even a few ants on the wall.

Bug-Eye Termite Scope Camera

After we locate potential problem locations utilising the aforementioned instruments, we will use a bug-eye termite scope camera to verify our initial findings. We must make a pencil-sized hole in the wall to insert the camera, making this inspection method more invasive. Not only can we see the termites in the wall with our own eyes, but we can also show this to our consumers.

How Do You Get Rid Of Pests?

Pest control means taking care of insects, rats, and other animals that are unwanted and stopping them from hurting plants, buildings, and other things.

Controlling Pests Methods

The management of pests is achieved via a variety of techniques and procedures. These techniques and methodologies consist of the following, among others:

• inspection,
• cleaning,
• entanglement, and/or
• chemical insecticides.

Experts in pest management employ a toolbox of methods to keep unwanted visitors at bay, and they modify their strategy based on the kind of pests they're up against. Biocontrol agents, including predators, parasites, and diseases, may occasionally be used in pest control as well.

Having a professional security company protect your property from human invaders is easy, but preventing bugs is an entirely different story. Because bugs can infest homes, taint food supplies, and cause structural damage, pest management is crucial. When it comes to pest control, different kinds of pests call for different approaches.

What Do Pesticides Do?

Pesticides are chemicals that are used to get rid of or control pests. Including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in the word "pesticide" So that bugs, fungus, and weeds don't hurt crops, pesticides are used to kill them.

Common Insects That Can Infest a Business

Some common bugs that come into homes and businesses are:

• Squirrels and birds
• Ants and cockroaches
• Wasps and bees
• Fleas and flies
• Rats and mice
• Bed bugs

Would You Prefer an Inspection for Pests or Termites? How Are They Different?

It doesn't matter if you are buying a new home or already own one; you have probably heard of Pest Inspections or Termite Inspections. What's the difference between these two very important things?

Inspections for pests

The primary distinction is that pest inspections, sometimes known as timber pest inspections, are utilised as pre-purchase inspections. This is something that should be included in your due diligence when purchasing a property. The Check addresses a variety of wood pests that harm the wood in and around your home. These vermin are:

• White rot
• Mold
• Brown rot
• Wood Borers
• Soft rot
• Common Furniture Beetle
• House Longhorn Beetle
• Powder Post Beetle
• Termites
• Wood Decay Fungus

Pest inspections do not cover common household pests like rats and cockroaches, despite what the name may imply.

Termite Inspections

Termite inspections are something we advise all of our clients to get done once a year. A foraging termite infestation can be prevented with yearly inspections. This bug is specifically designed to eliminate termites, as the name implies. 

Pest And Termite Inspections Include What?

A Third-Party Evaluation 

In search of evidence of wood-boring pests (including termites) in and around the house. Termites can burrow up to fifty yards, therefore this encompasses the boundary of the property. Anything made of wood, including gardens, trees, fences, and retaining walls. In order to reduce your termite danger factor, it is necessary to remedy or remove any conducive settings.

Inspections of the Subfloor

This checks for signs of excessive moisture, which can be an indication of termites or wood rot.

Checks Conducted Within 

Encasing all of the wood components within. When it comes to pests like termites, a thermal imaging camera is an absolute must.

How Often Should You Get Your Home Checked For Termites?

Everyone in Australia knows that termites are one of the worst pests there is. However, some people do not know how often they should have termites checked. Australian Standards say that it should be done at least once a year.

Even though this is a good rule of thumb, you may need more frequent visits based on where you live, if you have had termites in the past, and your neighbours. Also, if you want to buy or sell a house, you will need a termite check.

The Current Owners, Tenants, and Families

Termite inspections should be done annually, according to most pest control businesses. This is because of the hot and humid weather that we get here in Australia. Soil conditions ideal for termites are produced when very high temperatures and high levels of moisture are present. The question is, how frequently should you have a termite inspection?

A Brief Overview of Termites

The aforementioned rules do not apply in all cases. Have you ever lived or worked on a place where termites have been found without any kind of physical barrier? If that's the case, you need to establish a termite management system and then have a termite inspection every six months (regardless of region). There is no surefire way to keep termites out unless you set up some sort of physical or chemical barrier.

Do you already have a chemical shield that is almost done its job? You might need a trained professional to put up the shield again with new chemicals. If not, the old method won't work, and termites will get into the house.

Does a friend in the area have a history of termites? If so, your home might be the next one they take. This is why you need to schedule a termite check right away. They can do a full check of your home or business and make a custom termite plan for you if they find a risk.

Purchase and Sale of Real Estate

It is strongly recommended that you obtain a pest and timber inspection before you put your house on the market. You and any prospective purchasers will learn about:

• The history, present, and future of insect problems in the structure.
• System for managing termites, whether implemented in the past or present.
• Verification of damaged wood.
• Plumbing problems.
• Recommended treatment choices.

You can enhance the building's state by fixing and making modifications with this information. Your sale price will go up, and the purchasers' minds will be at ease because of this. You might perhaps bring in a larger number of customers altogether.

A pre-purchase examination can be arranged if you intend to buy and the seller has not previously undergone one. In the same vein as before, this inspection will check the entire structure for signs of pests and damage to the wood, as well as provide maintenance advice. After you have this data, you may utilise it to your advantage to either get a better offer or back out of the sale altogether.

When Is The Best Time To Control Pests?

Is there a certain time of day when you should get rid of pests in and around your house? Right now is when you should apply pesticides. The best course of action is to have your property protected at all times, regardless of the season, because pests can invade at any moment. 

There is never a good or bad moment to contact a pest control service; it is one of the most important things you should know. At certain times of the year, various pests are most active. You can create a year-round pest management strategy if you know in advance what kinds of pests are likely to invade your home. 

Your home's location, the kind of pests you have, and the length of time since your last appointment will determine how frequently you need to call a pest control service each year. Depending on your specific circumstances, longer or shorter durations may be suggested. 

Since no two insect infestations are identical, no two treatments will work for every single one. This is why it's important to hire experts who are well-versed in the various pests and how to eliminate them. In order to keep pests out of your house, you can use one of several treatment methods.

Is Spring the Ideal Time to Apply Pesticides? 

One of the greatest seasons to take care of pest control around the house is in the spring. This is because pest activity resumes when temperatures rise. Even city dwellers can be considered pests. Since most pests hibernate over the winter, it becomes more difficult to trace infestations during this time. 

During the months of September through November, bugs are most active and prepare to deposit their eggs. Pests like ants, cockroaches, rodents, spiders, and termites prefer warmer and more humid environments for their reproductive processes. 

Termites and other pests are very sensitive to timing. They may quickly and extensively damage a structure, making them one of the most damaging pests. As spring arrives, termites become more active. Because of this, you should remain vigilant against them at that period. 

Get in touch with a pest control agency if you wish to avoid pest infestations in spring and throughout the year. Make an appointment for an inspection before the pest problem escalates into an infestation.

Conclusion

Homeowners need to get termite exams to find and stop termite infestations. They involve looking at parts of a building that can be reached physically, like the outside edges of walls, landscaping, fencing, yard trees, underground structures, rooms inside, and roof voids. Professional pest control experts use a range of tools, including the Moisture Scan Tool, the Moisture Encounter Plus, and the Torch, to find places where termites might be living.

Termite testers use bug-eye termite scope cameras, thermal imaging cameras, and termatrac motion sensors to find places where problems might happen. Getting rid of bugs, rats, and other unwanted animals is called pest control. This is done to keep plants, buildings, and other things from getting damaged. Some ways to get rid of pests are to check, clean, trap, or use chemical insecticides.

There are different kinds of pesticides, such as herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Birds, ants, bees, fleas, rats, mice, and bed bugs are some common insects that can get into homes and businesses. Home pests like rats and cockroaches are not covered by pest checks.

Termite checks should be done once a year to keep foraging termites from taking over. During these inspections, a third party looks for signs of wood-boring pests like termites in and around the house. The subfloor is also checked for signs of too much wetness, and all wood parts of the house are checked to make sure they are covered.

There are a lot of termites in Australia, and you should have your home checked for them at least once a year. But the frequency may change based on where you live, how often you've had infestations in the past, and how close you are to your friends. Due to the hot and humid environment, Australian standards say that inspections should be done once a year.

If you live or work in a place where termites have been found without any physical barriers, you should set up a method to get rid of them and have them inspected every six months. It's possible that you need to get new chemicals for a chemical shield that you already have. If you know someone who has had termites in the past, set up a termite inspection right away.

If you are selling or buying a house, you should get a pest and timber check to find out about past, present, and future insect problems, as well as the management system, damaged wood verification, plumbing problems, and suggested treatment options. This knowledge can help the building look better, fetch a higher price, and bring in more buyers.

Pest control doesn't have to be done at a certain time of the year, but it is important to keep your home safe all year long. When you should call a pest control service varies depending on where your home is, what kind of pests you have, and how long it's been since your last appointment.

Pests start to move around again when the weather gets warmer, so spring is a great time to use chemicals. Pests like termites, ants, cockroaches, mice, spiders, and termites like it when it's warmer and more humid, where they can reproduce. To keep pests out in the spring and all year, call a pest control company and set up a check before the problem gets worse and turns into an infestation.

Content Summary

• Termite inspections and treatments aim to address common homeowner concerns about termites.
• Pest management involves physical and chemical methods, including barriers and traps.
• A termite inspection examines accessible areas of a structure for termites or damage.
• Inspections also identify potential termite breeding grounds and provide prevention advice.
• Inspectors check exterior walls, landscaping, underneath structures, and interior rooms.
• Termite activity and damage are searched for in damp conditions, such as around bathrooms and kitchens.
• Various tools, including moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras, are used in inspections.
• Thermal imaging cameras detect heat or moisture indicative of termites through walls.
• Termatrac motion sensors and bug-eye cameras further confirm termite presence.
• Pest control involves managing insects and rodents to prevent damage to structures and crops.
• Pest management methods include inspection, cleaning, trapping, and chemical insecticides.
• Different pests require different management strategies, sometimes involving biocontrol agents.
• Pesticides, including herbicides and insecticides, are used to control pests in agriculture.
• Common household pests include ants, cockroaches, wasps, fleas, and bed bugs.
• Pest inspections, or timber pest inspections, are crucial during property transactions.
• Pest inspections focus on wood-destroying organisms but do not cover all household pests.
• Termite inspections are recommended annually to prevent termite infestations.
• Inspections look for wood-boring pests and signs of moisture that indicate termites or wood rot.
• The Australian Standards recommend termite inspections at least once a year.
• Termite risk factors include previous infestations and proximity to known termite problems.
• A termite management system may be necessary for properties without physical barriers against termites.
• Real estate transactions benefit from pest and termite inspections to identify potential problems.
• Inspections can reveal past and present insect issues, termite management systems, and damaged wood.
• Buyers can use inspection results to negotiate better terms or decide against a purchase.
• There is no specific best time for pest control; it should be an ongoing effort.
• The frequency of pest control services depends on the location, type of pests, and last service date.
• Spring is an effective time for pest control due to increased pest activity with warmer temperatures.
• Termite activity also increases in spring, making it a critical time for vigilance and treatment.
• Professional pest control services offer expertise in managing diverse pest infestations.
• Homeowners should stay informed and proactive about pest and termite control measures.
• Early detection and treatment of pests can prevent significant damage and expense.
• Termite inspections can save homeowners from costly repairs by identifying issues early.
• Understanding the differences between pest and termite inspections helps homeowners make informed decisions.
• Investing in regular termite inspections and pest control services protects property value.
• The use of advanced technology in inspections ensures thorough detection of hidden problems.
• Termite and pest management strategies should be tailored to the specific needs of each property.
• Homeowners are advised to address conducive conditions for termites to reduce the risk of infestation.
• Comprehensive pest control includes addressing both immediate infestations and preventive measures.
• Educating homeowners about the signs of termite activity can aid in early intervention.
• Professional exterminators are trained to identify subtle signs of termite presence and damage.
• Proper use of pesticides requires expertise to ensure effective and safe application.
• Regular inspections and maintenance are essential for long-term pest and termite management.
• The cost of termite treatments and inspections is an investment in property preservation.
• Homeowners should choose qualified and experienced pest control professionals for inspections and treatments.
• Understanding local pest and termite risks can help homeowners prepare and protect their homes.
• Physical and chemical barriers are important components of a comprehensive termite management plan.
• The impact of pests on property and health underscores the importance of effective pest control.
• Collaboration between homeowners and pest control professionals enhances the effectiveness of management strategies.
• Ongoing education on pest and termite control practices benefits homeowners and communities.
• Proactive measures, including regular inspections and treatments, are key to preventing pest and termite problems.