An annual termite program books a full termite inspection around the same date each year and keeps every written report on file. AS 3660.2-2017 recommends inspections no more than 12 months apart. Pest Fox runs annual programs across metro Adelaide and the Hills at $180–$350 per inspection. Join through the quote form or call.
An annual termite inspection program is a recurring service that books a full termite inspection — following AS 4349.3 and the guidance in AS 3660.2-2017 — around the same date each year, and keeps the written reports on file. That record also helps you meet the inspection conditions that many treatment and barrier warranties carry. We run annual termite inspection programs across Adelaide on residential and commercial properties from $180 per inspection cycle, with the cadence matched to the property’s risk profile.
This page covers how the program is structured. For inspection scope and standards detail, see the termite inspection service page.
Why annual termite programs need their own approach
A one-off termite inspection is a snapshot. A program is a baseline. The two operate differently:
- AS 3660.2-2017 calls for regular inspections no more than 12 months apart. Anything longer falls outside the standard’s guidance.
- Year-on-year comparison is where infestation gets caught early. Year one is the baseline; year two compares moisture readings, conducive-condition flags, and structural changes. A drift in subfloor moisture between consecutive inspections is a signal a once-off inspection has no way to read.
- Warranties often depend on it. Many manufacturer warranties on termite treatments, baiting systems and barriers require documented regular inspections to stay current. Check the terms of your system — a missed inspection can void the cover.
- Higher-risk homes may need a tighter cadence. Older villas in Norwood, Unley, Prospect, Walkerville and Semaphore — built long before modern termite-management standards — and bushland-edge foothills properties (Mitcham, Stirling, Aldgate, Mount Barker) may be recommended a 6-monthly schedule. We confirm after the baseline inspection.
How Pest Fox handles annual termite programs
Every program is written to the property, not sold as a one-size package.
- Baseline inspection — full inspection following AS 4349.3-2010 and the guidance in AS 3660.2-2017, with a written report, thermal imaging, moisture metering and termite radar to check any anomaly. Report stored as the program’s reference document.
- Risk profile and cadence — one of three cadences:
- Annual (12-month) — standard residential cadence.
- Semi-annual (6-month) — older homes, bushland-edge properties, reactive-clay sites with established gardens, properties with a prior infestation.
- Quarterly (3-month) — properties with in-ground monitoring or baiting stations (AS 3660.2 calls for monitoring-system services no more than 3 months apart), post-treatment monitoring, and commercial sites with food-handling exposure.
- Recurring cycle — calendar booking on the baseline anniversary. Same inspector where possible. Thermal scan, moisture metering, conducive-condition review, written report against the prior baseline.
- Record keeping — every cycle’s report is kept on file, so you have the inspection history that manufacturer warranties usually ask for.
- Cycle communications — booking reminder ahead of the due date, confirmation, and a written report after each inspection.
Pricing context
Annual program pricing tracks the underlying inspection scope:
- Residential annual cycle — $180–$350 per inspection. Same band as a one-off inspection; no program premium.
- Residential semi-annual cycle — two inspections per year, typically bundled as a 12-month pre-pay at $320–$580 to lock cadence.
- Quarterly monitoring (active baiting, commercial) — bundles at $400–$800/year on residential baiting; commercial pricing scales with property size and food-handling requirements.
- Multi-year arrangements — available on request, with the terms set out in writing. Most useful on properties under active baiting.
A program doesn’t change the inspection cost; it locks the cadence.
When to choose this vs the parent service
Choose an annual termite program if:
- You own the property and intend to keep it for the long term.
- You’ve had a prior treatment, barrier installation, or active baiting system installed (its warranty may depend on regular inspections).
- Your property is higher risk — an older home, a foothills bushland edge, or reactive clay soils with mature established gardens.
- You’re a body corporate or commercial operator that needs inspections on a fixed schedule.
Choose a one-off termite inspection instead if you need a single inspection right now — for a specific worry, before a renovation, or as part of a pre-purchase decision — and you’ll move to a program later.
Guides from our blog
- Termite Inspection Adelaide: What’s Checked & How Often
- Spring Termite Swarm Adelaide — When Alates Fly
FAQs
Q: Why 12 months? A: AS 3660.2-2017 calls for regular termite inspections no more than 12 months apart. Shorter intervals (6-monthly, or 3-monthly for monitoring systems) apply in higher-risk situations. Longer than 12 months is outside the standard’s guidance.
Q: Does the program help with my treatment or barrier warranty? A: It can. Many manufacturer warranties on baiting systems and chemical barriers require documented regular inspections. The program produces and files that inspection record — check your warranty terms for the exact conditions.
Q: Can I cancel a multi-year program early? A: Yes. The cancellation terms are set out in writing before you sign up — a program is a convenience, not a lock-in.
Q: What’s the difference between an annual program and a baiting program? A: An annual program is an inspection contract — it tells you the state of the property each year. A baiting program is an active treatment — it works on a colony through monitored stations. They’re complementary: properties under active baiting need quarterly monitoring of the stations and an annual full-property inspection. The program covers the inspection side; the baiting contract covers the treatment side.
Q: My house is from the 1920s — do I need a 6-month cadence? A: Possibly. A 1920s home was built long before modern termite-management standards, so it usually has no termite management system from construction, and a century of movement, settlement and re-stumping can create hidden entry points. We often recommend 6-monthly inspections for older villas, and we confirm after the baseline inspection.