What the river brings
Trap results close by
NSW Health's Georges River sites recorded Stratford virus at Alfords Point on 29 January 2025 and at Illawong on 10 February 2025. Alfords Point also returned Gan Gan virus on 18 March and Barmah Forest virus on 25 March 2025. Those are trap results, not human cases, and a pest business can't stop disease.
River country
NSW National Parks describes Georges River National Park as rock formations, steep forested hillsides, plateaus and riverside flats, with more than 100 bird species recorded. Bush close to home tends to bring possums, spiders and ticks with it.
Funnel-webs
The Australian Museum gives the Georges River as the southern end of the Sydney funnel-web's main range. That's not a fence. Treat any big black spider as one, and call 000 for a bite.
Building and pest inspection before you buy in Menai
Book both
A building inspection and a timber pest inspection are separate jobs. NSW Government advice says a building report won't show whether termites are still around, and most consultants need at least 2 to 3 days' notice.
Get your own report
A seller's pre-sale report can help, but NSW Government advice is that it's no substitute for your own independent one.
Check the insurance
Choose an inspector with adequate insurance, particularly professional indemnity.
Watch the clock
You get a 5 business day cooling-off period after exchange, but no cooling-off at auction. Pull out during cooling-off and you forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price.
Around the house this summer
- Tip out anything that holds rainwater, and check roof gutters that sit under trees.
- Screen tank openings.
- Shake out shoes left outside, and wear gloves in the garden.
- Keep wood stacks away from the walls, and off the ground.
Where we'd start with pests in Menai
Keep standing water down through the warm months, and get a termite inspection done if you're buying or it's been a while. Tell us what you've seen, with 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.
