How often should you get a termite inspection?

The CSIRO recommends a professional termite inspection at least once a year for most Australian homes — and every six months for high-risk properties near bushland. In the Sutherland Shire, with national park on so many edges, annual is the minimum and bush-fringe homes should consider twice yearly.

The annual baseline

A yearly inspection catches activity before it becomes structural damage — it's the single most effective protection there is, and far cheaper than the repairs it prevents.

When to go every six months

Homes near bushland or reserves (Menai, Engadine, bush-fringe Sutherland), homes with a prior termite history, and homes with known conducive conditions — a damp subfloor, timber touching soil, a timber-heavy garden — all justify a six-monthly check.

Why annual self-checks aren't enough

You can and should watch for signs yourself, but subterranean termites work hidden in walls, subfloor and roof voids. A professional checks the places and conditions you can't easily see or reach.

It's cheaper than the alternative

An inspection costs a few hundred dollars a year. Undetected termite damage runs into the thousands and usually isn't covered by insurance. The maths isn't close.