Tradie’s sinister find behind air conditioning unit exposes common household issue costing ‘thousands’

A tradie’s discovery outside an Aussie home has highlighted a common household issue that can cost thousands to repair. Pest controller James Foster uncovered undeniable signs that termites had entered a brick home on the NSW Central Coast, prompting a warning to homeowners across the country.

Termites can cause tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to properties, prompting Foster to remind Aussies to get an annual check done to avoid misery.

“Most people don’t know what to look for,” he told Yahoo News Australia.

“People have this misconception that you only get termites near the bush, but even in an area where there aren’t trees, people still get termites,” he said.

Older homes are generally more susceptible to the issue, as timber was more commonly used to frame the homes.

Modern homes are less susceptible; however, it is still something all homeowners should be wary of.

Foster said the insects can be attracted to moisture or wood left in the area, regardless of what the house is made of.

In this instance, that’s exactly what attracted the pesky insects.

“There was a bit of timber across from the path which they had got into,” he explained. The insects had managed to invade the family’s home, penetrating the garage.

Cost to fix termite invasions in properties

The Australian Museum advises that termite colonies are formed during warm, humid weather,

Those in the industry almost unanimously urge homeowners to get termite inspections every year or two.

An annual inspection costs roughly $250, and for peace of mind, Foster argues it’s “well worth it”.

If detected, treatment can cost around $3,000 to get rid of an infestation, and removing all of the insects can take a “good couple of months”.

The longer it goes undetected, the more expensive it becomes.

“It can cost in the tens of thousands,” he said, if the termites eat away at the home.

He urges people to get an annual inspection by a professional pest controller.

“Most people don’t think about it,” he said, adding, “it’s only the people who have had termites and know what they can do who are on the front foot.

“A lot of people bury their heads in the sand.”

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