Book an assessment and agree on the next steps
In short
For a Brisbane property, choose a company that can assess the particular pest and explain the proposed work. Check the attending technician's Queensland Health pest management licence and the activities it covers. Termite advice, reports and systems can also require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence. Ask for a written quote that separates inspection, treatment and future visits, and read the pesticide precautions before the appointment. A termite inspection and a general pest treatment serve different purposes, so confirm which you are booking.
Step 1
Describe the problem before choosing a treatment
Tell the company what you have seen and where, even if you do not know the pest's name. Include when the activity started and whether it follows an earlier treatment. Ask whether it needs to inspect the property before proposing a method or firm price.
Match the booking to the concern
| What you have noticed | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Ants, cockroaches, spiders or signs of rodents | Assessment of the affected areas, identification of the pest and a treatment scope naming the pests and locations covered. |
| Possible termite activity or damaged timber | A termite inspection and written findings, with treatment quoted separately if recommended. Ask what cannot be inspected. |
| An existing termite management system needs attention | A review of its records, inspection access and maintenance requirements before agreeing to a replacement or additional treatment. |
Step 2
Check the technician and any termite contractor
Ask for the attending technician's name, current Queensland Health pest management licence and authorised activities. Urban pest and timber pest authorisations are distinct, so check that the licence covers the proposed pesticide work. If a trainee will attend, ask who will supervise them. Queensland Health requires pest management trainees to be appropriately supervised.
For termite advice or reports about a building's infestation or management system, check the contractor's relevant QBCC termite management licence. A QBCC licence is also required for installing termite management systems in new building work. Chemical systems require the relevant occupational pesticide authority as well. If the proposed work or licence class is unclear, ask Queensland Health or QBCC to clarify before booking.
Ask about experience with your property type and request evidence of insurance relevant to the work. Keep the contractor's legal name and licence details with the quote.
Step 3
Share the observations, records and access details
Give each company the same information: your Brisbane suburb, property type, affected rooms or outdoor areas, photos and previous treatment records. Mention roof and underfloor access, locked gates and whether someone else must authorise work in shared areas.
For termite work, look for the existing management notice, often in the meter box, and share it with the contractor. It records the system and inspection recommendations. Mention recent landscaping or structures added beside the house, as these can bridge an existing termite barrier.
Example brief: Termite inspection requested for a house in The Gap. Previous report attached; a new garden bed has been added beside the rear wall. Underfloor access is through a locked side gate. Please quote the inspection and report, identify inaccessible areas and explain any recommended follow-up work separately.
Step 4
Compare the initial visit and ongoing costs
Request a written quote showing the inspection charge, treatment method, covered pests and areas, total price including GST where applicable, and any return visits. Ask what happens if the inspection reveals additional work. Agree that changes need your approval before they begin.
For a termite proposal, ask why that system suits the property, what it protects and what monitoring, servicing or renewal will cost. Read warranty conditions alongside these costs. QBCC recommends regular termite inspections at least every 12 months, with more frequent inspections in high risk areas; ask for a schedule suited to your property and system.
Queensland consumer guidance recommends at least three written quotes for expensive services. Read the whole quote, including cancellation and payment terms, because accepting a quote forms a contract. Save the agreed scope and approved changes.
Step 5
Read the safety advice and keep the treatment record
For urban or timber pest control, Queensland's regulation requires the licensed technician to give you pre-treatment advice before starting. It must include precautions to minimise pesticide exposure, warranties and limitations. Ask for clear instructions on food, belongings, pets, cleaning and when each treated area can be used again. Arrange these precautions before the appointment.
The technician must also provide post-treatment advice before leaving an occupied property, or within 24 hours after leaving an unoccupied one. It identifies the technician's licence number, pesticides and active ingredients, treatment location and timing. Keep it with the invoice and any inspection report.
Before the technician leaves, ask what activity to expect next, when to report continuing signs and which maintenance actions are recommended. Confirm who to contact and whether the next visit is included in the agreed price.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- Queensland Health: pest management technicians
Current pest management licences, authorised activities and trainee supervision.
- QBCC: termite management systems guide
Termite contractor licensing, regular inspections, system notices, barrier maintenance and ongoing costs.
- Queensland Government: getting quotes and signing contracts
Written quotes, checking all terms and the contract formed when a quote is accepted.
- Medicines and Poisons (Pest Management Activities) Regulation 2021
Sections 13–16: pre-treatment precautions, warranties and limitations, plus post-treatment advice and delivery timing.
