So you’ve booked a termite inspection—smart move. In Brisbane’s subtropical climate, these silent destroyers are practically knocking at every door. But if you’ve never had one done before, you might be wondering what actually happens on the day.
Here’s your play-by-play guide to what unfolds when our technician arrives at your property.
Before They Arrive: A Quick Heads-Up
First things first: if you’ve spotted anything suspicious, mud tubes on walls, hollow-sounding timber, or actual termites, leave it alone. Seriously. Don’t poke it, don’t spray it, don’t even breathe on it too hard. Disturbing termite activity gives them a chance to scatter and set up shop somewhere else in your home, making them harder to track and treat.
The Knock at the Door
Your technician will arrive with what looks like a toolkit fit for a detective. Expect to see moisture metres, thermal imaging cameras, and sounding equipment. These aren’t just for show—they’re essential for finding termites that have made themselves comfortable behind your walls and under your floors.
The Walkthrough Begins
The inspection typically starts with a chat. Your technician will ask about any concerns you’ve noticed, strange sounds, visible damage, or areas where you’ve seen moisture issues. They’ll also want to know about the property’s history, particularly any previous termite encounters.
Then the real detective work begins.
Inside Your Home
Your technician will work methodically through the interior of your property, checking:
- Skirting boards and architraves – tapping and listening for that telltale hollow sound
- Built-in wardrobes and cupboards – yes, they’ll need access to these
- Wet areas – bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens are termite magnets thanks to moisture
- Windows and door frames – common entry points that often show early signs of damage
The thermal imaging camera comes in handy here, detecting temperature differences in walls that might indicate termite activity hidden from view.
The Subfloor Adventure
If your home has a subfloor, your technician will likely disappear underneath for a while. This is where termites often enter, so it’s prime inspection territory. They’ll be checking stumps, bearers, joists, and any timber in contact with the ground.
Up in the Roof
Roof cavities are another favourite hiding spot. Your technician will inspect the timber framing, looking for damage, mud leads, or live termites. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s essential.
Outside the Home
The exterior inspection covers:
- Garden beds and landscaping – especially any timber retaining walls or sleepers
- Trees and stumps – these can harbour entire colonies
- Fences and outbuildings – sheds, pergolas, and the like
- The perimeter of your home – checking for mud tubes running up external walls
The Verdict
Once the inspection wraps up, your technician will walk you through their findings. If everything’s clear, you’ll get the good news and recommendations for keeping it that way—typically annual inspections and possibly a monitoring system for ongoing peace of mind.
If they’ve found activity or damage, don’t panic. They’ll explain exactly what they’ve discovered, where it is, and what your treatment options look like. This might include chemical treatment zones, baiting systems, or direct treatment methods like dusting or foaming.
How Pest Technicians Actually Find Termites
Finding termites is a mix of smart technology, deep experience, and understanding how termites actually behave. Technicians use advanced tools like thermal imaging cameras to spot heat differences, moisture metres to find damp areas termites love, acoustic devices to detect movement inside timber, radar and microwave tech to see behind walls, and borescopes to inspect hard-to-reach cavities. Just as important is behavioural knowledge. Termites follow pheromone trails, prefer specific moisture levels, and enter buildings in predictable ways, which helps technicians know exactly where to focus their inspections. In some cases, termite detection dogs are used. With around 300 million olfactory receptors compared to our 6 million, trained dogs can smell live termites through walls and even detect past infestations, and research shows they can be several times more accurate than human inspectors alone. On top of this, emerging technology is pushing detection even further, with machine-learning audio sensors, drone-assisted inspections, and smart IoT monitoring systems beginning to play a role in early termite detection.
How Long Does It All Take?
For an average-sized Brisbane home, expect the inspection to take around one to two hours. Larger properties or those with complex access requirements may take longer.
The Paperwork
You’ll receive a detailed written report outlining everything inspected, any findings, risk areas identified, and recommendations moving forward. This document is particularly valuable if you’re buying a property or need to make an insurance claim.
A Final Word
A termite inspection isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s genuine peace of mind. In a city where termites cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage each year, knowing exactly what’s happening in the hidden spaces of your home is worth every minute of that inspection.
Ready to book yours? Give us a call on (07) 3349 8572 or drop us an email. Your home will thank you for it.
Cure All Pest Control services Brisbane and the Gold Coast with professional termite inspections and treatments. Licensed, experienced, and ready to protect your biggest investment.
