Evidence of Previous Termite Treatment (Drill Holes)
Evidence of Previous Termite Treatment (Drill Holes) is a critical termite defect SURE inspectors have documented across 169 inspection reports. Highest concentration in Thornlie.
Causes
- Past active termite infestation requiring chemical treatment.
- Previous active termite infestation requiring chemical treatment
- Improper application of previous chemical termite treatment
- Previous termite activity necessitating chemical treatment
- Durable notice for treatment history has worn illegible
Symptoms to look for
- Drill holes observed with spacing inconsistent with treatment labels
- Absence of a durable notice (which should be in the meter box)
- Drill holes (Chemical Treatment) in concrete or brickwork
- Drill Holes (Chemical Treatment) located at the property
- Presence of drill holes in concrete or brickwork
Remedies
- Have an invasive inspection carried out.
- Engage a registered builder or carpenter to determine the full extent of any identified damage and the estimated cost of repairs, as damage may only be found when wall linings and other obstructions are removed.
- Have an invasive inspection carried out and a registered builder or carpenter determine the full extent of any identified damage and the estimated cost of repairs.
- Request owner's permission to complete a physical inspection (moving items/installations, completing invasive action) to verify any concealed timber framing
- Carry out an invasive inspection and engage a registered builder or carpenter to determine the full extent of damage and estimated repair costs
Where we see this most
These suburbs show the highest concentration of evidence of previous termite treatment (drill holes) in our inspection data (minimum five observations). Click a suburb to see its full defect profile.
Get an inspector through this property.
Findings in this category skew high severity. If you are under contract, we can usually book inside the cooling-off window. Every inspection includes 12 months of free advice.
Curated entries in Termite
- Curated 2–4/5Slab Edge Concealed by Soil, Paving, or Raised Garden Beds
I walked the perimeter and could not see a continuous strip of exposed slab edge - raised garden beds, soil, paving, or decorative stone have buried it. Reference: AS 3660.1 and AS 3660.2. In my experience a concealed slab edge lets subterranean termites bridge the edge barrier out of sight, entering the cavity or framing without leaving mud leads where I can find them.
- Curated 1–4/5Mulch and Garden Beds Against House
Organic mulch and irrigated garden beds placed directly against the external walls create a moisture-rich, cellulose-rich environment that is attractive to subterranean termites and conceals the slab edge from visual inspection. AS 3660.1 and AS 3660.2 identify direct contact between landscaping materials and the structure as a conducive condition requiring correction.
- Curated 1–5/5Timber in Contact with Ground
Timber structural elements - deck posts, pergola framing, sleeper retaining walls, or firewood stacks - sitting directly in or against soil create an unobstructed termite pathway into the building and accelerate fungal decay. AS 3660.1 requires all structural timber to be isolated from soil to maintain a visible inspection zone; ground contact eliminates this requirement entirely and removes any chance of early detection.
- Curated 1–4/5High Termite Risk Due to Environmental Surrounds
The property's location near large trees, bushland, or parkland places it in elevated termite territory. Proximity to established timber sources and native vegetation significantly increases foraging pressure on nearby structures, and AS 3660.1 recognises environmental context as a primary risk factor when specifying termite management requirements.
- Curated 1–4/5Concealed Internal Wall Areas (Termite Risk)
Internal wall cavities, top plates in the roof space, and sub-floor framing cannot be visually inspected during a standard building inspection. AS 4349.3 requires inspectors to report whenever access limitations prevent verification of timber condition - these concealed zones are where termite activity most commonly goes undetected until structural damage is advanced.
- Curated 1–4/5Tree Stumps on Site
Tree stumps left in the ground provide an established food source and potential nesting site for subterranean termites. Once a colony is established in a stump, foraging extends radially - typically 50–100 m - placing any timber-framed structure on the property within reach.