Timber pest and termite inspection in Bendigo

A visual check for termites, borers and wood decay, and a report on the conditions around the home that invite them.

What a timber pest inspection checks

The inspection is carried out to AS 4349.3, the standard for visual timber pest inspections and reports (ABLIS: AS 4349.3-2010). It looks for three groups of timber pests:

1. Subterranean termites, which travel from the soil through mud tubes and eat timber from the inside out.
2. Borers, beetle larvae that leave small exit holes and powdery dust in floorboards, furniture and framing.
3. Wood decay, the fungal rot that sets in wherever timber stays wet.

The report also lists conducive conditions, the things that make an attack more likely: leaking taps and downpipes, timber touching soil, garden beds or paving built up over the weep holes, poor subfloor ventilation, and firewood or building offcuts stacked against the house. These are often the most useful part of the report, because most are cheap to fix.

Signs of termites buyers can spot

At an open for inspection, look for:

• bubbling or blistered paint, which Consumer Affairs Victoria notes can indicate termite activity (CAV: inspect before you buy)
• mud leads on stumps, piers or brick footings
• door frames, skirtings or architraves that sound hollow
• floors that dip or doors that suddenly bind.

Treat these as reasons to ask questions, not as a diagnosis.

Termite risk in Bendigo

There is no published, authoritative rating of termite risk for Bendigo, so be wary of anyone who gives you one. What is known is that termites, borer and wood decay all occur in Victoria. Ask the City of Greater Bendigo whether your area is a termite-declared area. For older Bendigo homes, borer in old softwood floors and decay in stumps, verandahs and window joinery are at least as likely to show up in a report as termites.

Termite management systems and paperwork

Newer homes may have been built with a physical or chemical termite management system. Ask the vendor for the details, any warranty, and records of inspections. Additions such as decks, paving and new garden beds can bridge or break a barrier. The QBCC explains that in Queensland a termite management notice is placed in the electrical meter box (QBCC); Victorian homes may or may not have an equivalent notice, so check the meter box and ask.

Inspection is not treatment

An inspection tells you what is there. It does not remove it. If live termites or significant damage are found, a licensed pest manager quotes the treatment, and a builder or carpenter quotes the repairs. Get at least two treatment quotes, and talk to your conveyancer about what the findings mean for the contract before any deadline passes.

Not just for buyers

Owners book timber pest inspections too, particularly before renovating an older home, after spotting damage, or when buying a home they plan to keep for decades. If you are buying, the pre-purchase building and pest inspection covers both reports in one visit. See how to read your report, the buyer checklist, or request a quote.

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