What Fairfield City Council says
Termites in the reserves
Council says termites found in parks or bushland reserves on council land don't necessarily threaten private property. It also can't carry out termite control in protected natural areas, so what happens on your block is up to you.
Termites on a living tree
Council says most termite species only feed on dead wood, so termites on a living tree don't always mean the tree will die. It's a reason to get them identified before anyone does anything.
Mynas in the ceiling
Council says Indian mynas nest in ceilings, walls and awnings as well as hollows, and lists a potential fire risk when they nest in roof cavities. In NSW, feral animal control is up to the land owner or occupier.
Myna or miner?
Council says the Noisy Miner, an Australian native honeyeater, is often mistaken for the Indian myna. Native birds are protected, so be sure which you've got before anyone touches a nest.
Signs worth a termite inspection
- Timber that sounds hollow, sags or crumbles. Damaged wood is how most people find termites.
- Mud tubes over brickwork, concrete or timber.
- Pipes, fixtures or gutters that leak near wooden structures.
- A subfloor nobody can get into. Council advises easy access to subfloor cavities for this reason.
If you find termites
Don't disturb them, and don't spray. Several control options rely on finding termites still active. Council also says barriers installed at construction aren't completely fool-proof, so even a newer house needs regular inspections. Our termite treatment page explains what happens next.
Building inspection or pest inspection?
| Building inspection | Timber pest inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | A suitably qualified person such as a licensed builder, surveyor or architect | A timber pest inspector |
| What it looks at | The condition of the building | Termites, other timber pests and the conditions that suit them |
| Will it show live termites? | No. NSW Government advice is that it won't | That's what it's for |
| Can we help? | No, that's a different profession | Yes, tell us your postcode |
If we lived here
We'd book a termite inspection before worrying about anything else, then keep gutters running and the subfloor easy to reach. If birds are in the roof, get them identified, then have the gaps closed.
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.
