BACK

Arrive at the customer’s address on time and view the site from a distance. Pay attention to:

• The surrounding land;
• Where the water flows and pools;
• Sagging timbers or building structures;
• Trees;
• Retaining walls; and
• Neighbouring properties.

Look for evidence of previous termite treatments as you approach the front door such as drill holes in concrete and termite baiting systems. 

To gain access, you must introduce yourself to the occupant and explain the work order, confirm the client’s request, and ask about the pest problem using a friendly and professional tone. 

You must use the following introduction or something similar:

“Good morning Mr/Ms [Occupier’s last name] my name is [Your name] I am here to treat [inspect] your home for  [pests included in the job allocation]. Is there anything, in particular, you want me to pay attention to?”

Explain to the client the procedure for the inspection and ask if there are any areas they are particularly concerned with. Take note of any information you think will be helpful with the inspection. 

External Inspection

Start the inspection with the external areas of the property. 

• Note or take pictures of the presence of active termites and their species
• Note or take pictures of the damage caused by the termites
• Note all conducive conditions and pay extra attention to those areas during the internal inspection
• Inspect all trees within 50 meters of the building 
• Inspect every piece of loose timber
• Inspect every retaining wall
• Check the meter box for a durable notice and record the details
• Check the perimeter of the structure to determine whether an inspection zone is required and the complaint
• inspect the integrity of any physical barriers
• Make a mental map of the structure and note:
  • The number of roof voids
  • The presence of a subfloor
  • The general dimensions of the structure

If a subfloor is present:

• begin the inspection at the entry;
• inspect the perimeter of the subfloor first:
• compare the shape and size of the area inspected to the shape and size expected from the external inspection, and
• note any inaccessible areas.
• Inspect the entire subfloor in a grid pattern ensuring you inspect every side of every pier in every area of the subfloor, paying special attention to:
• termite shields;
• subfloor walls;
• attached piers;
• all loose timber;
• joists and bearers;
• floorboards;
• plumbing and other penetrations;
• conducive conditions; and 
• note any areas that may require further inspection.

Notify the customer once the external inspection is finished and ask permission to enter the structure.

Internal Inspection

Before entering the building, remove your shoes or use overshoe covers.

• Begin inspection at the front door and systematically sound every piece of exposed timber in the interior using a ‘Donger’.

• Strike all wall linings with the palm of your hand or a clean rubber mallet and listen for falling termite mud or audible signs of termites.

• Visually inspect all surfaces of all walls and exposed timber for signs of timber pest activity.

• Inspect doors and door jambs for sagging.

• Use Tramex moisture meter to take all required measurements of all wall linings and exposed timber, including but not limited to:
  • Wall linings at lateral intervals of 600 mm at three levels;
    • High
    • Middle;
    • low;
  • Exposed timber at lateral intervals of 200 mm or at least 3 places;
  • Use a Listening Device or other authorised equipment to further investigate areas of suspected timber pest activity;
  • Note any inaccessible, restricted or obstructed areas;
  • Note areas that require special attention when inspecting the roof; and
  • Note access points to the roof and compare them to your mental map of the structure to ensure access is available to all roof areas of the structure.

Inspect Roof Void

• visually inspect the perimeter of every roof void and sound every piece of exposed timber;
• systematically inspect and sound every piece of timber in the roof void;
• note inaccessible or restricted areas; and
• refer to www.fedpest.com for OHS policies relevant to inspection within roof voids.

Post Inspection Procedure

• Advise customers they will receive a comprehensive written report via email or in the post.
• Complete the invoice and collect payment.
• Report your findings in accordance with AS 3660.2 and AS 4349.3 using Federal Pest Control-approved software including the following:
• You must ensure you discharge your duty to the customer by reporting your findings factually and properly with due regard that your advice and recommendations may be used as the basis of a large financial decision.
• Reports must be completed and uploaded to the Federal Pest Control booking system on the day of the inspection.
  • Federal Pest Control as the name of the firm issuing the timber pest inspection report;
  • the name of the inspector;
  • the name and address of the client;
  • date of the inspection;
  • the address of the property inspected;
  • description and identification of the buildings or other timber structures inspected;
  • any areas not inspected;
  • where termite activity is detected, the genus and, where practicable, the species of termite involved and its potential to cause significant structural damage;
  • presence of timber pests, other than in item (h) above, identification of pest with recommendations for remedial measures;
  • evidence of inactive timber pest infestation;
  • evidence of timber pest treatment;
  • location of pest damaged timbers and general description of the severity of damage of affected timbers such as slight, moderate or extensive;
  • recommendations for additional investigations or specialised inspection, especially where there is significant damage present, or where the risk of timber pest activity is high;
  • recommend control, remedial or protective measures;
  • areas where inspection was restricted  such as by insulation, air conditioning ducts for pipework, with recommendations for gaining access where necessary;
  • inaccessible areas such as enclosed patios, concrete slab on ground floors, fireplace hearths, double brick cavity walls or flat roofs, with recommendations for gaining access where considered practical, and protective measures in such areas where the risk of timber pest activity is high;
  • areas with excessive moisture caused by such factors as poor ventilation, ineffective drainage, leaks or defective flashing with recommendations for reducing moisture levels, areas conducive to infestation; and
  • Recommendations for frequency of future inspections.
• You must provide a report to the client.
• Contact the client to explain the content of the report.
• A proposal for the installation of a Trelona Advance Termite Bait System must be prepared uploaded to the Federal Pest Control booking system and provided to the client on the day of the inspection and must include:
  • a minimum, one in-ground/in-concrete station for every three lineal metres of perimeter measured under the drip line;
  • description of all structures to be protected;
  • the presence of live termites in the structure or on the property;
  • the species of termite, where applicable;
  • when the warranty will be available; and
  • a site plan.

• Contact the client to explain the method of operation and benefits of the Trelona Advance Termite Bait System including:
  • the placement of the Trelona stations around the perimeter of the structure creating a complete and continuous termite interception zone;
  • the addition of a TMB or a Termite Monitor Base (wood base) and a TIC or Termite Inspection Cartilage (pure cellulose) to every station; and
  • the monitoring of a Trelona Monitoring System should be done by a fully qualified and licenced termite inspector every 8 to 12 weekly intervals until termites are intercepted;
  • the baiting of active stations with non-toxic TBC or Trelona Bait Cartilage to achieve colony elimination; 
  • the inspection of the Trelona ATBS at 4 to 8 weekly intervals, replenishing the bait as required.  
• All contact/follow-up with the client must be noted in the job notes.