Choosing a pest control company in Brisbane should be straightforward. In practice, it often isn’t. The industry ranges from highly qualified, properly insured operators who take their work seriously, to unlicensed individuals offering suspiciously cheap quotes through social media and disappearing once payment is made. Somewhere in between are franchises, fly-by-night operators, and well-meaning but underqualified technicians who may leave your pest problem partially treated and your protection compromised.
Getting this decision right matters more in Brisbane than in most Australian cities. Queensland’s subtropical climate means pest activity is year-round and intense. Termites cause more property damage in south-east Queensland than in most other parts of the country, and a poorly conducted inspection – or worse, a treatment that doesn’t meet Australian Standards – can leave you exposed to tens of thousands of dollars in uninsured damage.
This guide walks you through what a reputable Brisbane pest control company looks like, what licences you should ask for, what warranties actually mean, and the warning signs that should send you looking elsewhere.
Understanding Pest Control Licensing in Queensland
Queensland has one of the more complex pest control licensing frameworks in Australia, regulated across two separate government bodies depending on the type of work being done. Understanding the difference helps you ask the right questions before you book.
Queensland Health: Pest Management Technician Licence
Any person carrying out pest management work in Queensland for fee or reward using regulated pesticides must hold a current Pest Management Technician (PMT) licence issued by Queensland Health. This licence requires completion of a nationally recognised qualification, typically Certificate III in Urban Pest Management, along with competency assessment and a “fit and proper person” check.
PMT licences are issued for up to five years and must be renewed. Technicians are also required to complete ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain their licence.
Trainees must work under the supervision of a licensed technician and are not permitted to operate independently outside the conditions of their training.
For termite-related work involving building structures—such as inspections for property transactions, installation of termite management systems, or compliance-related advice—a separate licence issued by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is typically required. Relevant licence classes include Chemical Termite Management and Physical Termite Management.
In many cases, companies carrying out termite work in Queensland must hold both a PMT licence and the appropriate QBCC licence, along with required insurances such as professional indemnity. This dual licensing framework is a key feature of Queensland’s regulatory system and is worth checking before engaging a provider.
How to Verify Licences
You can verify a technician’s Queensland Health PMT licence by contacting Queensland Health’s Public Health Licensing Unit. QBCC licences can be verified through the QBCC licence check tool at qbcc.qld.gov.au. Any reputable company will be comfortable providing their licence numbers upfront – and should have them displayed on their vehicle signage, which Queensland Health requires for any vehicle used in pest management activities.
If a company is reluctant to provide their licence numbers, treat that as a significant warning sign.
What Australian Standard AS 3660 Means for You
If you are engaging a pest controller for any termite-related work, you will hear reference to Australian Standard AS 3660. Understanding what this standard actually requires – and why it matters to your insurance and your protection – is important.
AS 3660 is the national technical standard governing termite management in and around buildings. It covers everything from how inspections must be conducted and reported, to the installation requirements for chemical and physical termite management systems. AS 3660.2-2017 specifically governs termite management in existing buildings, including ongoing inspections, treatment planning and system maintenance.
Why AS 3660 Compliance Affects Your Insurance
Most standard Australian home insurance policies do not cover termite damage. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of home ownership, and it is the reason professional termite management matters so much financially.
Where insurance companies do consider termite-related claims – for example, in cases where damage is related to an insured event like a storm that compromised a structure – they increasingly require evidence that AS 3660-compliant inspections and treatments were conducted. A treatment that does not meet the standard can be grounds for an insurer to reject a claim on the basis that the homeowner did not take ‘reasonable precautions’. Conversely, documented, compliant treatment provides clear evidence that you took your obligations seriously.
A company conducting termite inspections and treatments to AS 3660 will provide you with a written inspection report documenting all areas assessed, findings, conditions conducive to termite activity, and recommended actions. If a company cannot provide this documentation, they are not meeting the standard.
What a Proper Termite Inspection Actually Involves
One of the most common complaints about pest control in Brisbane involves termite inspections that are conducted far too quickly, without the specialist equipment required to find concealed activity, and without a meaningful written report.
A thorough termite inspection conducted to AS 3660 should include assessment of all accessible areas of the property: interior rooms (including tapping skirting boards, architraves and built-in cabinetry), wet areas, the subfloor if present, the roof void, external walls, fencing and all timber structures within the yard, and the garden including any trees, stumps and landscaping timbers. AS 3660 specifies that all trees within 50 metres of the structure that are 200mm or greater in diameter should be assessed.
The inspection should also use specialist detection technology. AS 3660.2-2017 specifically encourages the use of non-destructive detection tools including termite radar units, thermal imaging cameras and moisture metres. These tools find termite activity concealed within wall cavities and subfloor spaces that a visual inspection alone cannot locate. A company that arrives with only a screwdriver and a torch is not conducting a proper inspection.
What to expect from a Cure All termite inspection – including how the technician works through your property and what your report should cover – is detailed on our website.
At the conclusion of the inspection, you should receive a written report that covers:
- All areas inspected and any areas that could not be accessed (with reasons)
- Presence or absence of termite activity, including species identification if activity is found
- Evidence of previous termite damage
- Conditions conducive to termite activity (moisture issues, subfloor problems, soil-to-timber contact, etc.)
- Recommendations for treatment or preventative action
If a company offers you a verbal summary and no written report, do not accept that as a completed inspection.
Understanding Pest Control Warranties
Warranties in pest control are not standardised across the industry, and the gap between what a warranty appears to offer and what it actually covers can be significant. Before you sign off on any treatment, make sure you understand exactly what you are and are not being guaranteed.
General Pest Control Warranties
For general pest treatments covering cockroaches, ants, spiders and similar pests, warranties typically run for 12 months, though some companies offer six months for certain species. The warranty should mean that if the targeted pests return within the warranty period under normal conditions, the company will re-treat at no additional cost.
Key questions to ask:
- Which specific pests are covered under the warranty? Not all pests treated in a service are necessarily covered by the same warranty period.
- Does the warranty cover both internal and external areas?
- Are there conditions that can void the warranty – such as the property being repainted, renovation work, or changes to garden landscaping?
- Is a call-out fee charged for warranty visits? A reputable company should not charge you to honour their own guarantee.
Termite Treatment Warranties
Termite treatment warranties are more complex, and the conditions attached to them matter considerably.
A chemical termite treatment zone typically provides protection for approximately eight years, depending on the product used and soil conditions. However, the warranty on a treatment is not the same as the life of the treatment. A warranty is the company’s commitment to stand behind their work if problems arise within a specified period – usually one to two years for active treatment, with ongoing protection dependent on annual inspections being maintained.
The most important condition attached to almost every termite treatment warranty is this: the warranty is only valid if annual inspections are carried out by a licensed professional. Missing a year’s inspection – even in a property with no visible problems – will typically void the warranty. This is not fine print designed to trap you; it reflects the reality that termite management is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.
Be cautious of warranties that promise extraordinary protection without any maintenance obligation. A genuine termite warranty will be specific about what it covers, what conditions apply, and what documentation you need to maintain.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Book
A few direct questions will tell you a great deal about a pest control company’s professionalism before you commit to a booking.
‘Can you provide your Queensland Health PMT licence number and your QBCC licence number?’ Any legitimate company will answer this immediately. A company that hedges, says they will ‘check’ or changes the subject should be avoided for termite work.
‘Will the technician attending be a licensed technician or a trainee?’ If a trainee is involved, they must be directly supervised by a licensed technician. Ask to confirm this.
‘Do you carry public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance?’ For termite work, professional indemnity insurance is a QBCC licence requirement. For general pest control, public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong at your property.
‘Will the inspection and/or treatment be conducted to Australian Standard AS 3660?’ For termite work, the answer should be an unambiguous yes, with documentation provided.
‘What will my written report include, and when will I receive it?’ Same-day reports are achievable with modern reporting technology. A company that cannot tell you when you will receive a written report may not have robust reporting processes.
‘What does your warranty cover, and what conditions apply?’ Ask this before treatment, not after.
Red Flags to Watch For
Having reviewed the research and spoken with homeowners about their experiences, a consistent set of warning signs emerges for pest control engagements gone wrong.
Unusually Low Prices Without Explanation
Pest control is a service that requires licensed technicians, insured vehicles, registered chemicals and specialist equipment. A quote that is dramatically lower than others you have received is worth scrutinising. In some cases, a low quote reflects a streamlined service model. In others, it reflects the absence of proper licences, inferior products, unlicensed labour, or an incomplete service scope. Ask specifically what is included and what is not.
No Written Quote or Contract
A reputable company will provide a written quote that specifies the pests being treated, the areas covered, the products to be used, the warranty terms and the price. A verbal quote over the phone with nothing in writing offers you no protection if there is a dispute about what was agreed.
Pressure to Commit Immediately
High-pressure sales tactics – particularly around termite treatments, where scare tactics about urgency are easy to deploy – are a warning sign. A genuine pest professional will explain what they found, what the options are, and give you time to make a decision. If you feel pressured to authorise treatment before you have a chance to think, decline and get a second opinion.
No Property Inspection Before Treatment
A treatment without a prior inspection is almost always inadequate. Pests require identification, source location and an assessment of contributing conditions before the right treatment can be selected. A company that turns up and starts spraying without thoroughly inspecting your property first is applying a generic response rather than a targeted solution. For termite treatments in particular, proceeding without a full inspection is not only poor practice – it may not meet Australian Standard requirements.
No Written Report After a Termite Inspection
As covered above, AS 3660 requires a written inspection report. If a company conducts a ‘termite inspection’ and offers only a verbal summary, the inspection almost certainly did not meet the standard required.
Warranties With Unreasonable Exclusions
Some companies issue warranties that appear comprehensive but include conditions that make them effectively unenforceable. Watch for exclusions related to the presence of trees on your property, neighbouring properties, soil type, or any condition that a technician could argue was ‘pre-existing’. A good warranty should be clear, specific and practically achievable.
Cannot or Will Not Provide Licence Details
This bears repeating because it is the most fundamental check. Queensland Health and the QBCC both maintain public registers. If a company cannot provide verifiable licence numbers for both the technician and the company, do not engage them for pest or termite work.
The Value of Experience and Local Knowledge
Beyond licences and warranties, experience matters in pest management – particularly in Brisbane, where the pest challenges faced by a Queenslander in Coorparoo, a 1970s brick home in Capalaba and a new townhouse in Carindale are meaningfully different.
A company with deep experience in Brisbane’s specific pest pressures – the soil types, the housing eras, the local termite species, the seasonal patterns – will provide better outcomes than one applying a standardised approach regardless of the property. Ask how long the company has operated in Brisbane specifically, and whether their technicians have local experience in your area.
Cure All Pest Control has been protecting Brisbane homes since 1966. Our licensed technicians carry out termite inspections to AS 3660 using Termatrac detection radar, thermal imaging and moisture assessment technology, provide written reports for every inspection, and back all work with clearly stated warranties and a commitment to follow up. For general pest control, we guarantee your home pest-free for at least 12 months.
A Simple Checklist Before You Book
Use this as a reference when evaluating pest control companies for your Brisbane property:
- PMT licence from Queensland Health confirmed
- QBCC licence confirmed (for termite work)
- Public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance confirmed
- Written quote provided specifying scope, products, warranty terms and price
- Inspection conducted before treatment is recommended
- Treatment conducted to AS 3660 (for termite work)
- Written inspection report to be provided after any termite inspection
- Warranty terms clearly explained, including maintenance conditions
- No unreasonable pressure to commit before you are ready
Choose a Pest Controller You Can Trust
The pest control industry in Brisbane has many excellent, qualified operators. It also has those operating outside the rules, with inadequate training, improper products or no intention of standing behind their work. Asking the right questions before you engage any company is the best protection you have.
If you would like to speak with a licensed Cure All technician about your pest concerns, request a termite inspection, or discuss a treatment plan for your Brisbane home or business, contact us today or call us on (07) 3349 8572.
