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Pest Identification
Dos and Don'ts

Mites

Do

Treat bites with antiseptic and a local anaesthetic to ease irritation.

For scabies mites consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment. If dog scabies is transmitted to man, consult a veterinarian.

Change the bedding – sheets, blankets, pillow cases and mattress pads - often and use non-fibrous bedding

Don't

Don’t simply use any pesticide to treat mites – it’s important to determine the kind of species first for effective treatment. E.g. plant mites are quite different to house dust mites. It is instead important to figure out the answer to these questions to determine what kind of mite you are dealing with.

More help on Mites

Our guide to the pest inspection:

  1. Inspection should take between 3/4 to 2 hours depending on the size, construction type and state of the property.
  2. All accessible areas should be inspected and reported, however many houses are very difficult to inspect. To inspect for timber pests, good access to all timbers in the house is needed.
  3. A timber pest report should include areas that can't be inspected and the potential risk from this.

We Inspect:

Subfloor Spaces (where appropriate)

  • Visually inspect all subfloor areas such as foundation walls, piers, behind plumbing pipes, air/ heat ducts, under loose timbers, builder's debris, and stored materials.
  • Visually inspect and test timber members, such as bottom wall plates, base plates, bearers, joists and the underside of flooring, and all other timbers especially those close to plumbing and drains.
  • Visually inspect and test all timber members in contact with soil, such as stumps, posts and formwork, or any other cellulose containing material.
  • Visually inspect and test soil around piers and foundation walls, noting the existence and condition of termite shields.
  • Visually inspect any electrical junction boxes and conduit for evidence of subterranean termite mud-packing or shelter tubes.
  • Visually inspect and test any other susceptible areas or timber.

Interior areas (where appropriate)

  • Visually inspect and test interior walls, ceilings, partitioning, stairways, flooring, skirting boards, cupboards, and timbers around windows and doors.
  • Visually inspect behind plumbing and around pipe penetrations through slab-on-ground construction, and test all timbers adjacent to plumbing or plumbing fixtures.
  • Visually inspect in and around fireplaces from floor to ceiling. Masonry absorbs moisture and fireplaces often contain voids for subterranean termite nests.
  • Visually inspect slab-on-ground floors.
  • Visually inspect and test any other susceptible areas or timber.

Roof Space (where appropriate)

  • Visually inspect and test timber roof truss members / roof framing, including rafters, ceiling joists, ridge boards, purlins etc.
  • Visually inspect and test timber members adjacent to the fireplace chimney, noting evidence of excessive moisture around the chimney flashing.
  • Visually inspect and test any top wall plates and accessible roof/wall juncture (eaves) timbers.
  • Visually inspect the roof lining, around air conditioning units and water heaters.
  • Visually inspect and test any other susceptible areas or timber.

Exterior Areas (where appropriate)

  • Visually inspect eaves, window/door frames and exterior walls, noting obstruction of ventilators or "weep holes" and signs of activity or excessive moisture such as defective drainage, plugged or damaged gutters and inadequate moisture sealing.
  • Visually inspect slab edges including any cracks and expansion joints, noting evidence of insufficient slab edge exposure.
  • Visually inspect and test timber members that rest on or extend into concrete or soil such as support posts on decks.
  • Visually inspect paths and driveways abutting the building.
  • Visually inspect and test stairways, decks, handrails, and external joinery in general.
  • Visually inspect and test rafters, such as carport or garage that protrude from the roof/eave area.
  • If the structure has a flat roof, note any areas that will hold puddles of water which could serve as moisture source for subterranean termites.
  • Visually inspect and test landscaping timbers, fences, logs, pool surrounds, garden boxes or tubs, fire wood, paving blocks, and sleepers.
  • Visually inspect trees and tree stumps, noting any details of termite nests found.
  • Visually inspect and test any other susceptible areas or timber.
  1. The report should give relevant information on conditions contributing to timber pest attack and how to protect the property.
  2. Old damage as well as any current activity should be recorded in the report. If active timber pests are found they should be formally identified before any chemical treatment is applied.

Here are some more prevention methods to protect your home from timber pests.

  1. Minimise moisture in the soil beneath and next to buildings, as subterranean termites and wood decay fungi are attracted by moisture and humidity.
  2. Keep building timbers and sub floor dry and well ventilated. Moisture in walls can encourage termites to move upwards, so any leaks or plumbing faults should always be repaired.
  3. Vegetation which grows on or close to buildings can prevent the escape of moisture from walls and soil, impede airflow through ventilators and make inspection of the building’s exterior difficult or impossible.
  4. Don't attract termites with woodpiles stored directly on soil near the house or other buildings. Similarly, don't store timber of other cellulose-containing materials such as cardboard and paper directly on soil underneath or next to buildings.
  5. Some form of barrier against termites should be installed in new buildings.
  6. Replace previously damaged or susceptible timber with timber that's more termite resistant.
  7. Create access points for regular inspections.