Termite inspections and pre-purchase pest inspections are two different types of inspection…
Professional termite inspections are carried out for property owners to check their property for termite activity, termite damage and conditions that may make their home more likely to come under termite attack.
Pest managers use a range of termite inspection equipment to help with their termite inspection. Some even use a termite detection dog. However, it is the skill and experience of the pest manager that will ensure that you receive a comprehensive pest inspection, so make sure you choose a termite inspector you can (A thermal inspection camera doesn’t make a poor termite inspector a good termite inspector).
It is important to remember that a professional termite inspection which will take 1.5-2 hours for a standard 4 bedroom house, is not the same as a free “termite check”. Don’t think a termite check is providing you with the confidence that your home is termite free and the property without issues. If something is amiss, you will not be protected by professional liability insurance.
Pre-purchase pest inspections are professional inspections carried out on buildings that are being sold, primarily by the buyer. These inspections report on termites, borers and wood decay – whether they are present, if there is any damage or whether there are any conditions present that may make an attack by one of these timber pests more likely.
These inspections need to have an agreement signs prior to the inspection being carried out to make sure the customer understands what’s involved and the limitations. As you can image the liability issues can be significant if mistakes are made during the inspection, so the insurance companies require the pest managers to get customer to sign a pre-inspection agreement before carrying out the inspection.
More information on termites and termite inspections.
Termite expert and director of ATP Research Scott Kleinschmidt shares his experience of undertaking a large-scale termite and timber inspection as part of a complex construction project.
Whilst the good old donger still has a place in the inspector’s toolkit, researchers are now investigating more advanced methods of termite detection within timber.
Learn about the basics of thermal imaging and camera choice from Flir.
Danny Kelly of Pest-Ex on the Gold Coast shares a sobering tale of just how damaging termites can be to a home, and the implications of buying a property without due diligence.
Jay Turner gives his advice on how to execute a professional termite inspection, every time.
David Collins, claims manager for Rapid Solutions, explains why it is vital to report the limitations of your pest inspections.
Shane Clarke, inventor of the Dogwall, has trained Cocker Spaniels to become an elite force in the detection of pests.
Termite detection dogs are a valuable asset to any pest management team, believes Shane Clarke of Pestforce.