Most Queensland homeowners know they should get a termite inspection every year, but there's a question that comes up again and again: Is a general pest treatment the same thing? Do I need both? And how much should it actually cost?
The short answer is that a general pest treatment and a termite inspection are two distinct services that do different jobs. Some companies bundle them together, others don't mention the difference at all. This guide explains exactly what each service covers, what you can expect on the day, and how Sunshine Coast homeowners can get both done in a single visit at the best possible price.
Pest Treatment vs. Termite Inspection: What's the Difference?
A general pest treatment is a spray service for common household pests: cockroaches, ants, spiders, crickets and silverfish. It is applied to all areas of the home and garden, including the roof cavity, wall cavities and sheds where applicable.
A termite inspection is a separate, more specialised process governed by Australian Standard AS3660.2. It focuses entirely on timber-destroying organisms: primarily termites (white ants), but also wood borers and fungal decay. The inspector checks every accessible timber in the structure: roof framing, wall studs, skirting boards, subfloor bearers and joists, external fences and garden structures. A compliant report must be provided in writing after every inspection.
On the Sunshine Coast, Mick at Radar Pest Control offers both services separately or as a combined visit, and combining them is almost always the smarter choice.
What's Included in a Termite Inspection?
A thorough termite inspection on the Sunshine Coast covers every accessible area of your property where termites may be active or entering. Here's what Mick checks during a full AS3660.2-compliant inspection:
- Roof void: trusses, rafters, sarking and any timber-to-masonry junctions
- Internal wall cavities: using Termatrac T3i radar detection to check for movement behind walls without drilling
- Subfloor space: bearers, joists, piers and soil contact points
- External perimeter: weep holes, expansion joints, garden beds and landscaping timbers
- Outbuildings: sheds, pergolas, fences and retaining walls
- Moisture mapping: high-moisture readings often reveal termite activity before visible damage appears
Radar Pest Control uses the Termatrac T3i: a microwave radar device that detects termite movement through walls and floors without any invasive drilling or probing. This technology is not standard with all pest companies; it allows Mick to identify active colonies in hidden locations that a visual inspection alone would miss.
After the inspection, you receive a detailed written report with photos documenting any evidence of termite activity, past damage, conducive conditions (things that make your home attractive to termites) and recommendations for treatment or protection.
What's Included in a General Pest Treatment?
The general pest treatment targets active infestations and pest pressure across your home and garden. On the Sunshine Coast, the most common pests include:
- Cockroaches: particularly German and Australian species in kitchens and roof voids
- Ants: black ants and coastal brown ants in and around the property
- Spiders: redbacks under eaves and in garden areas, huntsman in roof voids
- Silverfish: in wardrobes, bookcases and roof insulation
General pest treatments are family-safe and pet-safe once dry, typically within a few hours of application. Queensland's subtropical climate means pest pressure is year-round, making an annual treatment genuinely worthwhile rather than just a box-ticking exercise.
How Much Does a Pest and Termite Inspection Cost?
Nationally, termite inspection costs range from $200 to $600 depending on property size, the inspector's credentials and the equipment used. Here's what Radar Pest Control charges on the Sunshine Coast:
A general pest treatment is $260 and a termite inspection is $280. Booked together in one visit they're $480 inc GST, saving you $60. There are no hidden fees or call-out charges. See what's included in the pest control and termite inspection package.
How Long Does the Visit Take?
A termite-only inspection typically takes about an hour. The time varies based on:
- The size of the property (number of rooms, storeys and outbuildings)
- Whether there is a subfloor or slab-on-ground construction
- Access to the roof void
- The number of garden structures, sheds and fences on the property
Combining a general pest treatment and a termite inspection in a single visit adds roughly an hour to the termite inspection, and saves a second visit compared to booking them separately on different days. Most Sunshine Coast homes are completed in about two hours total. Mick works methodically through the full property and never rushes the process: a rushed termite inspection misses things.
How Often Should You Get a Pest and Termite Inspection?
Australian Standard AS3660 recommends a termite inspection at a minimum of every 12 months. For higher-risk properties (timber-framed homes, properties with known termite history nearby, homes near bushland or with garden beds against the structure), inspections every 6 months are recommended.
The Sunshine Coast is one of the highest-risk termite regions in Australia. Queensland's warm, humid subtropical climate means termites are active year-round rather than seasonally. Suburbs like Buderim, Bli Bli, Nambour and Maroochydore all have well-documented termite pressure, particularly on properties backing onto bushland or with mature garden trees.
Pairing your termite inspection with an annual general pest treatment makes practical sense. One visit per year is enough to stay on top of both pest and termite risk, keep your home covered and maintain any termite protection warranty conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A general pest treatment is a spray service for cockroaches, ants, spiders, crickets and silverfish. Termites are a separate inspection category governed by Australian Standard AS3660, which requires a dedicated visual inspection of all accessible timbers, roof void, subfloor and perimeter. Radar Pest Control offers both together in one visit: the easiest and most cost-effective way to cover your home.
At Radar Pest Control, a termite inspection is $280 and a general pest treatment is $260. When you book both together as the Complete Protection combo, the total is $480, saving you $60. Nationally, termite inspection costs range from $200 to $600 depending on property size, inspector credentials and the technology used. Radar uses Termatrac T3i radar detection technology, which is included in the inspection price.
A thorough termite inspection alone typically takes about an hour, depending on the size of the property, number of outbuildings, roof void access and whether a subfloor is present. Adding a general pest treatment adds roughly an hour, so the whole visit takes about two hours. Mick works methodically through the entire property (roof void, subfloor, internal timbers, external perimeter and garden) so you receive a complete picture in a single visit.
A compliant termite inspection under Australian Standard AS3660.2 includes a visual inspection of all accessible internal timbers, wall cavities (using Termatrac radar or moisture meters), roof void, subfloor space, external perimeter, retaining walls, garden beds and any external structures such as fences and sheds. Mick uses Termatrac T3i technology, which detects termite movement through walls without drilling or causing damage. You receive a written report with photos.
Australian Standard AS3660 recommends termite inspections at least every 12 months: more frequently (every 6 months) for high-risk properties or those in termite-prone areas. The Sunshine Coast's subtropical climate makes it one of the highest-risk regions in Australia. General pest treatments are recommended annually, usually timed with termite inspections so you cover everything in one visit.
If Mick finds active termites or termite damage during an inspection, he documents everything clearly in a written report with photos and explains your options on the spot. Depending on the species and infestation size, treatment options include chemical barriers, baiting systems or targeted dusting treatments. There is no pressure: the report is yours and the decision is always yours. Most Sunshine Coast homeowners opt to treat immediately given the speed at which termites can cause structural damage.
Yes: booking a general pest treatment and a termite inspection together as the Complete Protection combo saves $60 compared to booking each service separately. More importantly, combining both means a single visit, with a general pest treatment for your home and garden and a written termite inspection report. For Sunshine Coast homeowners, doing both annually is the most practical way to stay ahead of Queensland's pest season.