Termites
Termites: inspection, treatment and prevention
Termites can cause serious structural damage before they're noticed. These are distinct steps — understanding the difference helps you make the right decision. We don't promise permanent protection that a treatment can't deliver.
Termite Inspection
A thorough inspection to check for activity, signs and conditions that favour termites.
Read moreTermite Treatment
If termites are found, treatment options to address the active colony and protect the structure.
Read moreTermite Prevention
Practical steps and management options to reduce the risk of termites establishing.
Read moreFound termites?
Don't disturb them.
If termites have been found inside a home, wall, roof space, timber structure or other building component, disturbing active termites can cause them to retreat from the visible area — which can make assessment and treatment more difficult.
- Don't spray the termites
- Don't break open the affected timber unnecessarily
- Don't disturb mud tubes unnecessarily
- Don't attempt DIY treatment before professional assessment
Signs of termites
Termites often work concealed inside timber, so the damage can be well advanced before it's visible.
Mud tubes
Thin, earthen tubes on foundations, walls or subfloor — termites use these to travel while staying moist and hidden.
Hollow or damaged timber
Timber that sounds hollow when tapped, or that is soft, warped or visibly eaten.
Discarded wings
Piles of small, translucent wings near windows or doors, left after termites swarm.
Tight-fitting doors or warped frames
Moisture from termite activity can cause doors and frames to stick.
Why termites are a WA concern
Many areas of Western Australia, including Perth's north-eastern suburbs, are considered termite-prone. Newer and established homes, gardens, retaining walls and surrounding bushland can all contribute to conditions that favour termites.
In WA, termite and timber-pest work is a distinct area of pest-management licensing. Our licence and endorsement details will be shown here once verified: [technician licence / timber-pest endorsement].
Inspection vs treatment vs prevention
| Step | What it is | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | A check for activity, signs and risk conditions. | Before buying a home, annually, or if you suspect termites. |
| Treatment | Addressing an active colony and protecting the structure. | When termites are found during inspection. |
| Prevention | Reducing the risk of termites establishing. | Ongoing — especially after treatment, and for high-risk homes. |
The termite management process
Termite management follows a clear sequence. Understanding it helps you know what to expect from enquiry through to ongoing monitoring.
Initial enquiry
You contact us and explain what you've seen — termites, mud tubes, damaged timber, discarded wings, or suspected activity in a tree, stump or garden.
Professional inspection
The technician assesses accessible areas for evidence of activity and the conditions that favour termites. Findings help determine the management strategy.
Identify the problem
The technician considers evidence of activity, its location, construction, foundation, subfloor access, moisture, drainage, landscaping and existing barriers.
Treatment recommendation
A strategy is recommended based on the property and infestation — which may include soil treatment, baiting, dusting, foaming, nest treatment, monitoring or a combination.
Implement management
The selected treatment is carried out, with clear information on what's treated, preparation, safety, timeframe and what to expect afterwards.
Ongoing monitoring
Termite management isn't always one-time. Depending on the property and system, ongoing inspections or monitoring may be recommended. No home is made permanently termite-proof.
Which termite treatment is right for your property?
There is no single termite treatment suitable for every building. The appropriate approach depends on the type of property, construction, termite activity, access, existing barriers and other site conditions.
Chemical Soil Treatment
A continuous treated zone in the soil around or beneath a building.
Learn moreTermite Baiting
Bait stations that termites feed from and carry back to the colony.
Learn moreTermite Dusting
Targeted dust applied to accessible active termite workings.
Learn moreTermite Foaming
Foam directed into wall cavities and hard-to-reach voids.
Learn moreNest Treatment
Treating a located nest or colony source where it can be found.
Learn moreTermite Monitoring
Stations inspected on a schedule for early detection of activity.
Learn more| Treatment | Main purpose | May suit | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Soil Treatment | Treated soil zone around/under the building | Suitable building & site conditions | Requires appropriate access and continuous application |
| Baiting | Termite management through bait stations | Certain properties & infestations | Requires monitoring |
| Dusting | Targeted treatment of active workings | Accessible active workings | Requires accurate targeting |
| Foaming | Targeted concealed-space treatment | Certain voids & cavities | Site-specific |
| Nest Treatment | Target a located colony/nest | When a nest can be located and treated | Nests may be difficult to locate |
| Monitoring | Ongoing detection & management | Higher-risk properties | Requires regular inspections |
This table is an educational overview, not a universal treatment-selection rule. A recommendation depends on inspection findings.
A simple decision flow
What happens after different termite situations — an educational guide, not a substitute for professional assessment.
Seeing live termites?
Termite damage but no live termites?
Active termite infestation?
Accessible soil & suitable building conditions?
Barrier not suitable, or another strategy preferred?
Concealed active workings?
Nest located?
Termite work you can trust
Local WA service across Ellenbrook and Perth's north-east
Professional inspection before any treatment
Clear written recommendations
Treatment options explained before work begins
Transparent quoting
Ongoing management available
Licence, insurance and endorsement details: [WA registration] · [technician licence] · [insurance] — shown once verified.
Termite questions we're asked
How do I know if I have termites?
Common signs are mud tubes, hollow or soft timber, discarded wings near windows, and tight-fitting doors. Because termites work concealed, a professional inspection is the reliable way to confirm activity.
What should I do if I find termites?
Don't spray them or break open the timber. Disturbing active termites can cause them to retreat and make treatment harder. Arrange a professional termite inspection promptly.
Should I spray termites myself?
No. DIY spraying can scatter the colony and complicate professional treatment. Leave the area undisturbed and arrange inspection and treatment.
Can termites be treated without removing the house structure?
In most cases yes — treatment targets the colony and the conditions favouring it rather than removing structural timber. Damaged timber may need repair, but that's separate from the treatment itself.
How long does termite treatment take?
It depends on the method and the extent of activity. Some treatments are completed in a visit; baiting and monitoring require multiple scheduled inspections. We'll set expectations before any work begins.
Is chemical termite treatment safe?
When applied according to the product label, legislation and professional assessment, chemical soil treatment is designed for use around homes. We explain any relevant safety requirements beforehand.
Is termite baiting better than chemical treatment?
Neither is universally better. Each suits different situations and they can be combined. A recommendation depends on what an inspection finds and the property's conditions.
Can termites come back after treatment?
Yes. Treatment addresses current activity and adds protection, but no treatment guarantees termites will never return. Ongoing inspection and prevention remain essential.
Do I need a termite inspection every year?
For many WA homes in termite-prone areas, an annual inspection is a sensible precaution. We recommend a schedule based on the property's risk rather than a fixed rule.
Can termites be found in trees or garden beds?
Yes. A termite nest can be located in a tree, stump, soil or garden bed away from the building, which is why the surrounding grounds are part of an inspection.
How much does termite treatment cost?
There's no single price — cost depends on property size, construction, foundation, access, extent of activity, treatment method and follow-up needs. See our termite treatment cost page for the factors involved.
What's the difference between termite inspection and termite treatment?
An inspection assesses for activity and risk; treatment addresses confirmed activity. Inspection usually comes first and informs whether and what treatment is needed.
Does termite treatment kill the entire colony?
Some approaches may help suppress or eliminate a colony depending on species, system and conditions, but no treatment can guarantee complete colony elimination in every case.
Will termite treatment prevent future termite attacks?
Treatment reduces risk and addresses current activity, but it can't guarantee no future attack. Prevention, ongoing inspection and system maintenance keep protection working.
Worried about termites? Let's take a look.
Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll help you work out the next step — whether that's an inspection, treatment, or simple prevention advice.