{"id":469012,"date":"2026-02-09T18:59:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/469012\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T18:59:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:59:50","slug":"tradies-sinister-find-behind-air-conditioning-unit-exposes-common-household-issue-costing-thousands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/469012\/","title":{"rendered":"Tradie’s sinister find behind air conditioning unit exposes common household issue costing ‘thousands’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Termites<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

“Most people don’t know what to look for,” he told Yahoo News Australia.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Older homes<\/a> are generally more susceptible to the issue, as timber was more commonly used to frame the homes.<\/p>\n

Modern homes are less susceptible; however, it is still something all homeowners should be wary of.<\/p>\n

Foster said the insects can be attracted to moisture or wood<\/a> left in the area, regardless of what the house is made of.<\/p>\n

In this instance, that’s exactly what attracted the pesky insects.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Cost to fix termite invasions in properties<\/p>\n

The Australian Museum advises that termite colonies are formed during warm, humid weather,<\/p>\n

Those in the industry almost unanimously urge homeowners to get termite inspections<\/a> every year or two.<\/p>\n

An annual inspection costs roughly $250, and for peace of mind, Foster argues it’s “well worth it”.<\/p>\n

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”.<\/p>\n

The longer it goes undetected, the more expensive it becomes.<\/p>\n

“It can cost in the tens of thousands,” he said, if the termites eat away at the home.<\/p>\n

He urges people to get an annual inspection by a professional pest controller.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“A lot of people bury their heads in the sand.”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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