Found termites? What to do first
The first thing to do is nothing. Don't spray them, don't break open the mud tubes and don't pull the damaged timber out. When termites (white ants, as plenty of us grew up calling them) are disturbed, they tend to retreat and pop up somewhere else in the house. That makes the colony harder to reach and treatment slower.
Put the timber back if you've knocked it, take a photo and call me on 0412 205 586. If you're not sure what you've found, my article on the signs of termites in your home shows what mud leads, frass and termite damage look like.
How I handle termite treatment in Brisbane and Logan
Every termite job starts with a full termite inspection. I need to know where the termites are, how far the activity goes, how they're getting in and what's drawing them. I use Termatrac radar to track movement behind walls without breaking into the workings.
From there, the plan usually has two parts:
- Deal with the active termites in the building, often by applying a treatment directly into their workings so they carry it back to the colony.
- Protect the home going forward, with a treated zone in the soil, a baiting system or a mix of both.
Which way I go depends on the construction, the soil around the house, where the termites came from and what you're comfortable with. I only use products approved for termite management in Australia, and I'll explain the option I recommend and why before any work starts.
Treated zones around your home
A treated zone is a band of soil around and under the building that has been treated with a registered termiticide. It's applied by trenching and treating soil along the outside of the slab or footings, and in some cases by drilling through concrete paths or slabs to reach the soil beneath. Subterranean termites travelling through treated soil are affected by the product, which cuts off the concealed routes they'd otherwise use.
A soil treatment suits many slab and highset homes, but not every property. Gardens built up against the house, paths and patios, and soil that's hard to reach all affect how well a treated zone can be put in. I'll look at all of that during the inspection and tell you honestly if it's the right fit.
- QBCC licence 15076438
- Termatrac iTracker
- 12-month internal warranty
- 12 years licensed
Termite baiting systems
A termite baiting system works differently. Stations go into the ground around the house at set spacings. They're checked regularly, and once termites find a station, bait is added which they carry back to the colony. The aim is to eliminate the colony itself.
Baiting suits homes where trenching isn't practical, and people who'd rather avoid a soil treatment around the house. The trade-off is that it relies on regular station checks, so it's an ongoing commitment rather than a single visit.
Why no treatment is a 100% guarantee
A lot of people search for a termite barrier in Brisbane, and plenty of companies still use that word. I don't, because no treatment can promise to keep every termite out. Termites can bridge over a treated zone, come in through gaps where the soil can't be reached, or find their way in after the soil around the house has been disturbed by landscaping or a new path.
Here's what treatment does do. It cuts down the concealed ways termites can get into your home and makes activity much more likely to be spotted early. The people who get the best result combine termite treatment with regular inspections and keep the conducive conditions under control.
Protecting your home after treatment
Treatment isn't something to set and forget. The things that help most after I've finished:
- book a termite inspection at least every 12 months, as Australian Standard AS 3660 recommends, and more often in high-risk spots
- keep garden beds, mulch and soil from building up over the slab edge or weep holes
- fix leaking taps, hot water overflows and blocked downpipes
- tell me before you landscape or lay paths near the house, as it can disturb a treated zone
- move timber, sleepers and old stumps away from the house
With a baiting system, the regular station checks are part of the treatment itself.
What affects the cost of termite treatment
I don't put prices on my website, because termite treatment varies more than almost any other job I do. The size of the home and its perimeter, the type of construction, how much concrete has to be drilled, which treatment method suits the property and whether there's an active colony to deal with first all change the price.
Anyone searching termite barrier cost will find numbers online that don't reflect their house. I'd rather inspect, explain the options and give you a fixed quote you can rely on. My pest control cost guide goes through what sets the price in more detail.
Google reviews
See what Logan and Brisbane customers say about Jon.
Lily Petersen
4 years ago
Jon was professional and prompt with his service and very easy to deal with .He is very honest and very efficient .Nothing is too big a problem and he also is very obliging. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jon and his business and will continue to use him and his services when required.
Rebekah Kelly
4 years ago
We recently had Jon out to do a termite inspection and pest control. The cost was slightly more than we have paid for others but after having him out we think it was well worth it. We were impressed with his services and booked him to do a termite protection barrier. He was on time for both services and we found him to be both friendly and professional. We had a small problem with a pipe after the termite protection but Jon was out within half an hour and sorted the whole issue out for us. Would highly recommend using Deadset and we will be using them again.
Dylan Smith
4 years ago
Jon was fantastic and responded so promptly to my enquiry I couldn't be happier! He was professional, thorough and really informative. I'll be using Deadset for all our needs in future, and it supports a LOCALLY-OWNED, Australian business. Seriously, a great experience and very re-assuring as we found termite nests next to our Queenslander. Jon dealt with the issue swiftly and thoroughly for a great price - thank you!
Frequently asked questions
How long does termite treatment take?
It depends on the method and the size of the home. Some jobs are done in a day. Baiting systems keep going for as long as the stations are being monitored. I'll give you a timeline with your quote.
Do you provide termite treatment in Logan and Ipswich?
Yes. I provide termite treatment in Logan, Ipswich, the Redlands and Brisbane's southside, from my base in Hillcrest.
Is termite control in Brisbane different from other places?
The basics are the same, but South East Queensland's warm, humid weather keeps termites active for much of the year. That's one reason AS 3660 suggests more frequent inspections in high-risk areas.
What is a termite baiting system?
It's a set of in-ground stations placed around the house. Once termites start feeding in a station, bait is added that they share through the colony, with the aim of eliminating it.
Is a treated zone better than a baiting system?
Neither is better for every home. A treated zone and a baiting system each suit different construction, soil and gardens, and I'll recommend one based on what I find on the inspection.
Are white ants and termites the same?
Yes. White ants is the old Australian name for termites. They aren't ants, but the name has stuck.
Is termite treatment safe for my family and pets?
I use registered products and follow Queensland Government guidelines. I'll tell you if you need to keep kids or pets away from any area and for how long.
Do I still need inspections after treatment?
Yes. Treatment lowers the risk but doesn't remove it, so regular inspections are how you catch anything that gets around it early.
Can I treat termites myself?
I wouldn't. Store-bought sprays usually just scatter termites into new parts of the house, which makes professional treatment harder afterwards.
Get a treatment quote
If you've found termites or want to protect your home before they find it, get a fixed quote for termite treatment in Brisbane or Logan. Call or text me on 0412 205 586 or request a quote online. I'll arrange an inspection, explain what I find and price the job before anything goes ahead.