Are DIY Termite Inspections and Treatment a good idea?

A termite inspection and treatment can cost hundreds of dollars which might tempt you to do it yourself. But it’s worth asking – are DIY Termite Inspections and Treatment a good idea?

In this blog, we examine that very question to give you an answer.

A DIY inspection is harder than it looks

Termites are surprisingly very difficult to spot.

Pest inspectors require significant training and experience in order to effectively spot termites.

Many building and pest inspectors will have had years of experience in other fields such as construction before they ever inspect a house for termites.

This is because termites are experts at entering wooden structures unseen. They burrow into the wooden frames of your home and can go undetected for months.

A simple visual inspection by the untrained eye may not be enough to spot them.

This is especially true for termite barriers. A trained inspector knows what an ineffective barrier looks like, while a layperson may not.

Proper equipment is very expensive

The equipment that’s required in a thorough, effective building and pest inspection is costly.

For example, some inspectors use a thermal imaging camera to find termites hiding in walls.

Other times, a moisture meter is used to determine the amount of moisture in internal walls. This is because termites are attracted to moisture.

If your walls return a high moisture reading, this is a strong sign that termites are present.

Furthermore, many inspectors use Termatrac which detects motion inside the walls.

Tools such as these can be difficult to use effectively and are best left to professionals.

A DIY Treatment can be dangerous

When you ask yourself "Are DIY Termite Inspections and Treatment a good idea?", health should be a major consideration.

The best way to treat termites is with pesticides and poisons.

However, some pesticides are toxic to both humans and animals.

Inspectors generally use safety equipment like masks, eyewear and gloves.

This is because getting pesticide in your eyes, hands or mouth can make you very ill, or potentially even kill you.

When treating termites, many pest inspectors will put up a chemical barrier. This involves spraying chemicals into a moat type hole around your property

If pesticides aren’t carefully used, your home can be contaminated.

Pesticide contamination damages the environment and can put the lives of your family and your pets at risk.

An accredited pest inspector will know how to safely apply termite-killing chemicals.

Inspections and treatment are very time consuming

Even a skilled inspector can take hours to inspect and treat termites.

For someone with no training and years of experience, what may take hours can take days.

It can quickly become a draining, unfulfilling experience that consumes an entire weekend or more. This is especially true if you encounter unexpected difficulties.

In comparison, a professional can have an inspection and treatment done in a few hours, allowing you to enjoy your leisure time.

The cost of inexperience

An ineffective or botched inspection and treatment can end up costing you more than the cost of professional services.

Over the course of a DIY inspection and treatment, you might damage your home.

A common example of this is the DIY inspector who suspects termites are in his walls, so he cuts a big hole in order to inspect it.

In comparison, a skilled inspector would simply use a thermal imaging camera or use some other non-invasive detection method.

Furthermore, a failed or ineffective treatment can have a major cost as well.

Failing to eliminate termites can cause them to continue to spread and do damage to your property.

The cost of repairing this damage will very quickly exceed the cost of professional inspection and treatment.

Professionals offer a detailed report

One major benefit of getting a professional inspection is the detailed report that you’re given.

This report compiles all the findings of the inspection including walls, the garden, garage, roof, timber, subfloor, barriers and more.

A quality inspector will present these findings in an easy-to-read document that includes pictures.

Having clear evidence of previous pest inspections will benefit you moving forward.

You can use your report as a guide for future inspections.