What Frankston's council tells residents
Keep the slab edge in view
The council says to keep the whole external slab edge visible, because termites often reach the wall cavity through weep holes and gaps in the mortar. Pavers, garden beds and pot plants against the slab hide exactly that spot.
Second opinions are normal
Before agreeing to further treatment, the council suggests a written inspection report to AS 3660 and a second opinion from another operator. Nobody should mind you asking.
Wasps and bees stay with the owner
Council officers don't remove wasps or bees on private property. To keep wasps from hanging around, pick up fallen fruit, cover compost and food, keep lids on bins, and drink through a straw outside.
Creek, reserve and a health note
Kananook Creek runs 7.5 km parallel to the coast, from the Seaford Wetlands to the Frankston foreshore, and Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve holds 300 indigenous plant species. Better Health Channel lists the Frankston and Langwarrin region among places where Buruli ulcer is being identified; talk to your GP about any concern.
Signs worth a termite inspector's visit
- Timber that sounds dull or hollow when tapped, or skirting that feels papery.
- Thin mud tubes on the slab edge, piers or brickwork.
- Blisters or bubbles in paintwork, which Consumer Affairs Victoria says can indicate termites.
- Winged insects indoors on a warm, humid evening in spring or autumn.
Found some? Leave them be
Don't disturb the area or reach for insect spray. Several control options rely on finding active termites, CSIRO says, and Frankston's council gives the same warning. Note where you saw them, take a photo and leave the timber as it is for the inspector.
Before you say yes to a termite treatment
- Can I have the inspection report and treatment specification in writing?
- Does the technician's Victorian licence include the timber pests authorisation?
- What's the product's full name, and where exactly will it go?
- What follow-up visits are included, and what does any warranty cover, in writing?
If it were our Frankston house
Pull the mulch and pavers back from the slab this weekend, then book a termite inspection and get the report on paper. Two opinions before a big treatment is the council's own suggestion, so take it. For wasps or anything else, tell us what you've spotted and your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
