Termite Control & Management Brisbane
Every Brisbane property is in a moderate-to-high termite risk zone. Annual AS 4349.3 inspections from $280. Termidor chemical barriers from $1,800. Sentricon and Exterra baiting systems from $2,800. Warranties up to 50 years.
If you have found active termites: do not disturb the area
Do not spray them, break open mud tubes, or fill cracks near the activity. Disturbance causes termites to seal off and relocate, making treatment harder and less effective. Call 0406 178 471 immediately for same-day attendance. Leave everything as found.
Why Brisbane Has One of the Highest Termite Pressures in Australia
Brisbane's subtropical climate is ideal for Coptotermes acinaciformis, Australia's most destructive termite species. Warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant native eucalypt timber in the urban environment support large, active colonies year-round. Unlike southern cities, Brisbane has no true winter to slow colony activity.
White Ants and Termites: Same Insect
White ants is the common Australian name for termites. There is no difference between them. Understanding the termite's biology explains why standard ant treatment products do not work on them and why specialist treatment is required.
"White ants" is the common Australian term for termites
The name comes from the pale cream colour of worker termites. Despite the name, termites are not ants. They are more closely related to cockroaches. They have straight antennae, a broad waist (not pinched like ants), and are strictly social insects that cannot survive outside the colony. Treating them as ants with consumer ant products will not work. Do not confuse termites with carpenter ants, which are a separate pest requiring different treatment. See our carpenter ant page for the comparison.
How to Identify Termite Activity
Termites operate inside timber and behind surfaces. Most activity is hidden until damage is significant. These are the signs that indicate termite presence. If you see any of these, do not disturb the area and call 0406 178 471.
Mud tubes
Pencil-thick tubes of soil and debris running up walls, piers, and timber members. Termites build these as protected travel routes from the soil into the structure. The most visible and reliable indicator of subterranean termite activity.
Hollow-sounding timber
Tapping skirting boards, door frames, and wall studs with a screwdriver handle produces a hollow or papery sound rather than a solid knock. Termites eat timber from the inside, leaving a thin veneer of paint or surface material intact.
Blistered or bubbling paint
Paint that appears blistered, bubbled, or raised from a surface with no moisture source is often caused by termite galleries directly behind the paint layer. The surface looks like water damage without the stain.
Swarmer wings
Piles of discarded wings near windows, doors, and light fixtures in spring. Termite swarmers shed their wings after the mating flight. Piles of equal-length wings are a reliable indicator of a mature termite colony nearby or inside the structure.
Tight-fitting doors and windows
Doors or windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close in the absence of weather changes can indicate termite damage to the surrounding frame, which shifts the door or window opening.
Visible damage or frass
In more advanced infestations, actual timber damage becomes visible: collapsed skirting, soft spots in floors, or visible galleries in exposed framing. Frass from Drywood termites appears as fine sandy pellets near entry holes in furniture or structural timber.
Annual Termite Inspection: What It Covers
An AS 4349.3 termite inspection is the foundation of any termite management program. It confirms whether termites are present, identifies risk conditions, and produces a written report that satisfies lender, insurer, and warranty requirements. See our full termite inspections page.
Full property inspection
Internal and external inspection of all accessible areas: subfloor, roof void, garden, fences, and all internal rooms. All at-risk timber members tapped and tested.
Thermal imaging and moisture detection
FLIR thermal camera detects heat anomalies in walls and floors consistent with termite activity. Moisture meters identify high-moisture zones that attract and sustain termite colonies.
Termatrac T3i radar
Detects termite movement through walls and ceilings without drilling. Confirms live activity in suspected zones non-invasively. Used where thermal or moisture readings indicate possible activity.
AS 4349.3 written report
Full written report with photos, risk rating, treatment recommendations, and next inspection date. Accepted by all major Australian banks, insurers, and warranty programs.
Termite Treatment Methods: Barriers vs Baiting
The two main treatment approaches in Brisbane are chemical barriers and in-ground baiting systems. Each has different installation requirements, costs, timelines, and warranties. The right choice depends on the property's construction, site conditions, and whether active termites are present.
Termidor SC (Fipronil)
Termidor SC is injected or trenched into the soil around the building perimeter and under the slab where applicable, creating a treated zone. Worker termites contacting the treated soil pick up fipronil and transfer it to nestmates via trophallaxis (food sharing), eliminating the colony from within. The transfer effect means termites do not need to contact the barrier directly to be eliminated.
Sentricon / Exterra / Trelona
In-ground monitoring stations are installed around the building perimeter at 2-3 metre intervals. Stations contain cellulose monitoring material. When termite activity is detected in a station, the monitoring material is replaced with active bait (Recruit HD, Requiem). Termites carry the bait back to the colony and share it, eliminating the colony over 3-12 weeks. Stations remain in place for ongoing monitoring and protection.
See our barrier page and baiting page for detailed product and system information.
Termidor Barrier vs Baiting System Comparison
Both are effective. The decision criteria are practical rather than effectiveness-based.
| Factor | Termidor Chemical Barrier | Baiting System |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $1,800-$3,800 (one-off) | $2,800-$5,500 installation |
| Ongoing cost | Nil (re-treat at 8-10 years) | $550-$1,100/year monitoring |
| Active infestation present | Best choice | Slower but effective |
| New construction (no active) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Drilling to concrete required | Yes, around perimeter | No |
| Disruption to established gardens | Trenching required | Minimal. In-ground stations only. |
| Manufacturer warranty | 8 years (Termidor) | Ongoing (while monitored) |
| Chemical-free option | No | Yes (minimal soil chemical) |
| Kill speed (active colony) | 3-12 weeks transfer effect | 3-12 weeks after bait uptake |
| Pre-construction use | Yes (Termidor soil treatment) | Post-construction only |
Termite Treatment Warranties
Warranty terms vary by product and system. These are the manufacturer warranty periods for the main products used in Brisbane. Our own workmanship warranty is provided separately alongside the product warranty.
Manufacturer warranty when applied by a licensed contractor at label rates. Subject to correct application and unmodified soil conditions.
50-year manufacturer warranty when correctly installed during construction. Subject to no breach of the barrier by subsequent building works.
Operational warranty maintained while the annual monitoring service is active. No fixed years. Service must be maintained to keep warranty current.
Home insurance policies in Australia do not cover termite damage as a standard inclusion. Some specialist cover exists but is limited and requires proof of a current prevention program. This is why active prevention and annual inspection are the industry standard recommendation.
Highest Termite Risk Areas in Brisbane
All Brisbane suburbs carry at least moderate termite risk. The areas below have consistently higher call-out rates based on proximity to creek lines, bushland reserves, and high concentrations of older timber construction. No Brisbane suburb is termite-free.
Red: highest risk. Orange: higher risk. All other Brisbane suburbs: moderate risk. Risk classification based on proximity to bushland, creek lines, and historical infestation data.
Pre-Construction Termite Protection for New Brisbane Builds
The Building Code of Australia requires termite risk management for all new residential construction in Queensland. Pre-construction treatment is applied during the building process before the slab is poured. This is the only opportunity to install a physical barrier (Kordon) or apply chemical soil treatment before the structure is complete. See our pre-construction page.
Kordon Physical Barrier
Sheet membrane installed around all penetrations, under slab edges, and in expansion joints during construction. 50-year warranty. Cannot be retrofitted after construction.
Pre-Construction Soil Treatment
Termidor SC or Altriset applied to the soil under the slab and around the footprint before pouring. $1,200-$2,800 depending on slab size. Complements Kordon installation.
Termite Treatment Cost Brisbane
All prices are for Brisbane metro. Property size, construction type, and site conditions affect final pricing. A formal quote is provided after inspection. See our termite pricing page for full details.
Termite Control FAQ
Annual Inspection. Termidor. Sentricon. Brisbane-Wide.
Found Active Termites? Call Now. Do Not Disturb.