Termite risk reduction around Sydney homes: a garden-and-drainage checklist

Keep garden edges observable

Walk the outside of the home periodically and look at the line where soil, mulch, paving or garden beds meet walls, piers and slab edges. Keep plants trimmed enough to see the wall and any inspection points. Avoid building up mulch or soil against the building simply to make a garden bed look finished.

Dense groundcover, pots, edging and stored objects can hide the very areas that need routine observation. Move items only when it is safe and practical, and note changes rather than scraping, breaking or opening anything that looks like suspected termite activity.

A useful maintenance pass is to start at one corner and work around the building, taking a few dated photos of the wall line, deck edge and visible vents. This creates a simple baseline for the owner, tenant or property manager. If landscaping changes later, you can explain what moved, when it moved and whether an access point became harder to see.

Manage water and drainage

Check whether downpipes discharge where intended, gutters overflow, taps drip or irrigation wets the same wall repeatedly. Look for pooling after ordinary household use and for damp areas near decks, fences, bathrooms or air-conditioning drainage. These are building-maintenance observations, not proof of termites.

Arrange suitable repairs for leaks, blocked drainage or failed seals. Do not redirect water in a way that creates a new damp area, and do not cover vents or service points to hide a problem. NSW Fair Trading’s termite guidance emphasises ongoing maintenance and inspection as part of managing risk.

After a plumbing, roofing or landscaping repair, check the same area again rather than assuming the issue is resolved. A dry-looking surface can still conceal a leak, and a new path, garden bed or downpipe outlet can change how water behaves around the building. Keep invoices or notes with the property records.

Store timber and materials carefully

Keep firewood, spare boards, cardboard, pallets and renovation materials raised, dry and away from external walls where possible. Avoid leaving timber offcuts under a deck or in a narrow side passage where they cannot be checked. If landscaping or building work changes the ground level, retain the records and ask how the change affects inspection access.

Garden sleepers, retaining structures and fences may be close to the home without being part of the building. Their condition still matters for maintenance planning. Record what is present, where it sits and whether it stays damp, but do not assume a mark or insect confirms a termite colony.

Protect inspection access

• Keep subfloor vents, slab edges, weep holes and external service areas reachable where the property design allows.
• Before adding paving, soil, mulch or a shed, consider whether it will cover a barrier, vent or inspection zone.
• Keep treatment, warranty, repair and renovation documents together; they provide context but do not certify current conditions.
• Take dated photos of maintenance changes, especially around decks, extensions and drainage work.

For a rental, strata or investment property, share practical observations with the person responsible for maintenance. A short note naming the suburb, location, visible change and date is more useful than a general message that simply says “there may be termites”.

Know when to ask for help

Arrange a property-specific timber-pest inspection if you notice shelter tubes, discarded wings, unexplained timber damage, repeated moisture or a change near a prior treatment area. An online checklist cannot confirm a property is termite-free, and an inspection is limited by access, visibility and agreed scope.

If a pesticide is being considered, use only a product registered for the intended use and follow the current label. The APVMA registered-product search is a useful official reference. Do not disturb suspected activity or apply a household product to it while waiting for advice.