When experienced NSW pest controller Christopher Moschella tiptoed through a dark roof space last week, he wasn't prepared for what awaited him. What he discovered was nothing short of extraordinary—and terrifying.
'This is an absolute monster,' he marvelled as his torch illuminated a termite nest stretching more than 1.5 metres wide and weighing an estimated 30 kilograms. As he edged closer to document the find, the house's timber framing literally crumbled beneath his feet.
'This is an absolute monster... Look at that. Absolute destruction'
The Sydney homeowner was fortunate—this colossal nest was already dead, likely eliminated by previous baiting treatments.
But the termites had 'worked their way up here from the floor and living among the roof tiles, eating out the timbers and just absolutely causing destruction' before they were stopped.
This discovery serves as a stark reminder of what's lurking unseen in Australian homes. The nest had grown so massive that it developed its own sub-nest, representing years of unchecked feeding on the home's structure.
The insurance shock most Australians don't know about
Here's what might surprise you most: if this had been your home, you'd be paying for every dollar of repairs yourself.
Insurance reality check
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that termite damage or any termite treatment cost will be covered by your home building insurance.
The majority of home insurance providers exclude loss or damage caused by insects, vermin and other household pests—including termites—from their home insurance policies.
This applies to all major Australian insurers, including ANZ, Suncorp, GIO, and Qantas Insurance.
Home insurance is designed to cover loss or damage resulting from sudden or unexpected events—for example, a fire or storm. Termites however, are considered to be a common occurrence and therefore do not fall under this category, according to Qantas Insurance.
This reality hits particularly hard for those on fixed incomes. The average termite infestation can cause around $7000 of damage! And that comes straight out of the pocket of homeowners.
In severe cases, repair costs can reach $7,000 to $30,000, depending on the severity of the infestation and the structural damage.
What termite protection really costs in 2025
Understanding the true cost of termite management helps you budget appropriately:
Annual inspections: A pest inspection can help to identify if your home has been affected by termites and usually costs between $250 to $500.
Treatment costs: Termites are highly destructive pests, with termite treatment costs ranging from $300 to over $3,500—depending on the treatment used.
For many seniors, these preventive costs represent significant value when weighed against potential repair bills.
According to the University of Technology Sydney, these timber-loving pests are a huge problem in Australia, causing more than $1.5 billion worth of damage to homes each year.
A single colony can have more than 10 million workers, all feasting on your home.
Climate change is making the problem worse
Climate change is also playing a role in termite behaviour. Warmer temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are leading to longer periods of termite activity, as they can remain active throughout milder winters.
This means that properties may face year-round termite threats rather than seasonal spikes in activity.
Recent weather patterns have made the situation even more concerning. With unusually wet weather in recent months, some parts of the country have been more prone to termite activity, with one pest control company on the south coast of NSW telling Yahoo in December the pests had been 'on the move'.
Your home isn't immune—even if it's brick
Don't assume your brick home offers complete protection. When you've got a brick home, a double brick home, it doesn't really matter too much. A brick home still has a timber structure roof. It'll still have doorways, windowsills, and eaves that can still be eaten, explains Christopher.
Termites are among the most destructive pests in Australia, causing billions of dollars in property damage each year. With climate changes and evolving termite species behaviour, it's essential to stay updated on what termites look like in 2025.
Essential prevention steps for your home
- Have a pest controller inspect the house every 12 months, especially if you are in a high hazard area
- Address plumbing leaks, drainage problems and roof leaks promptly, as termites are attracted to damp conditions
- Do not build up garden beds and mulching against walls, as this allows termites an undetectable entry point to the building
- Do not stack materials against walls, as this can allow termites to enter without early detection
- If you have a brick home, ensure the weep holes (gaps between the bricks around the base of the perimeter of your home) are kept clear of concrete, dirt, garden mulch
Warning signs you shouldn't ignore
Termites are masters of stealth, but they do leave clues. Things to look for include: weak timber that breaks easily, revealing wafer-thin layers—skirting boards are often the first point of damage.
Other warning signs include:
- Mud tubes—subterranean termites build shelter tubes along walls or foundations
- Warped doors and windows—termite activity can cause structural shifts
- Droppings (Frass)—drywood termites leave behind tiny wood-colored pellets
- Discarded wings—found near windows and doors after a termite swarm
The professional warranty alternative
While insurance won't cover termite damage, most pest control companies offer warranties on their termite management systems or termite treatments. This is about as close as you can get to 'termite insurance'.
In some cases, your pest controller may even cover the cost of building repairs if termites attack your house when you're under their warranty.
This makes choosing a reputable pest control company with comprehensive warranty coverage particularly important for homeowners concerned about potential repair costs.
Take action now
Don't play with nature, get your termite inspections done yearly and take any advice given seriously, even a small leak can sustain a colony while they eat your home, warns Christopher following his monster discovery.
The Sydney nest serves as a powerful reminder that termites don't announce their presence until it's often too late. According to recent studies, over 1 in 4 homes in Western Australia will experience a termite infestation at some point in their lifespan.
This makes termites one of the most common and destructive pests in the region, affecting thousands of properties annually.
What This Means For You
For Australian seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, the combination of no insurance coverage and potentially devastating repair costs makes preventive action not just sensible—it's essential.
Regular inspections and prompt action on any moisture issues around your home represent the best investment you can make in protecting one of your most valuable assets.
What termite prevention measures have you put in place around your home? Have you had any close calls with termite damage that you'd like to share with other readers?
Original Article
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-ho...d-in-roof-absolute-destruction-011105942.html
Aussie homeowners warned as inactive 30kg 'monster' found in roof: 'Absolute destruction'
Cited text: '[They've] worked their way up here from the floor and living among the roof tiles, eating our the timbers and just absolutely causing destruction.'
Excerpt: the termites had 'worked their way up here from the floor and living among the roof tiles, eating our the timbers and just absolutely causing destruction'
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-ho...d-in-roof-absolute-destruction-011105942.html
How much does termite treatment cost in 2025? | Canstar
Cited text: Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that termite damage or any termite treatment cost will be covered by your home building insurance. The majority of home i...
Excerpt: Unfortunately, it's unlikely that termite damage or any termite treatment cost will be covered by your home building insurance.
https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/termite-treatment-cost/
Does home insurance cover termite damage? - Help & Support | Qantas Insurance
Cited text: Home insurance is designed to cover loss or damage resulting from sudden or unexpected events—for example, a fire or storm. Termites however, are co...
Excerpt: Home insurance is designed to cover loss or damage resulting from sudden or unexpected events—for example, a fire or storm.
https://insurance.qantas.com/help-a...sics/does-home-insurance-cover-termite-damage
Does Your Insurance Cover Termite Damage? [2023]
Cited text: The average termite infestation can cause around $7000 of damage! And that comes straight out of the pocket of home-owners.
Excerpt: The average termite infestation can cause around $7000 of damage! And that comes straight out of the pocket of home-owners.
https://www.dentecpest.com.au/blog/insurance-cover-termite-damage
Termite Attacks in Western Australia: Current Trends and Statistics—ABI PEST Control
Cited text: In Western Australia alone, the average cost of repairing termite damage can range from $7,000 to $30,000, depending on the severity of the infestatio...
Excerpt: $7,000 to $30,000, depending on the severity of the infestation and the structural damage
https://abipest.com.au/termite-attacks-in-western-australia-current-trends-and-statistics/
How much does termite treatment cost in 2025? | Canstar
Cited text: A pest inspection can help to identify if your home has been affected by termites and usually costs between $250 to $500.
Excerpt: A pest inspection can help to identify if your home has been affected by termites and usually costs between $250 to $500.
https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/termite-treatment-cost/
How much does termite treatment cost in 2025? | Canstar
Cited text: Termites are highly destructive pests, with termite treatment costs ranging from $300 to over $3,500—depending on the treatment used.
Excerpt: Termites are highly destructive pests, with termite treatment costs ranging from $300 to over $3,500—depending on the treatment used.
https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/termite-treatment-cost/
How much does termite treatment cost in 2025? | Canstar
Cited text: According to the University of Technology Sydney, these timber-loving pests are a huge problem in Australia, causing more than $1.5 billion worth of d...
Excerpt: According to the University of Technology Sydney, these timber-loving pests are a huge problem in Australia, causing more than $1.5 billion worth of damage to homes each year.
https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/termite-treatment-cost/
Termite Attacks in Western Australia: Current Trends and Statistics—ABI PEST Control
Cited text: Impact of Climate Change: Climate change is also playing a role in termite behavior. Warmer temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are leading ...
Excerpt: Climate change is also playing a role in termite behavior. Warmer temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are leading to longer periods of termite activity, as they can remain active throughout milder winters.
https://abipest.com.au/termite-attacks-in-western-australia-current-trends-and-statistics/
Aussie homeowners warned as inactive 30kg 'monster' found in roof: 'Absolute destruction'
Cited text: With unusually wet weather in recent months, some parts of the country have been more prone to termite activity, with one pest control company on the ...
Excerpt: With unusually wet weather in recent months, some parts of the country have been more prone to termite activity, with one pest control company on the south coast of NSW telling Yahoo in December the pests had been 'on the move'.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-ho...d-in-roof-absolute-destruction-011105942.html
Aussie homeowners warned as inactive 30kg 'monster' found in roof: 'Absolute destruction'
Cited text: ... 'When you've got a brick home, a double brick home, it doesn't really matter too much,' he told Yahoo News previously.Pest control expert Christop...
Excerpt: When you've got a brick home, a double brick home, it doesn't really matter too much.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-ho...d-in-roof-absolute-destruction-011105942.html
What Do Termites Look Like in 2025? | Identify & Prevent
Cited text: A Complete... ... Termites are among the most destructive pests in Australia, causing billions of dollars in property damage each year. With climate c...
Excerpt: Termites are among the most destructive pests in Australia, causing billions of dollars in property damage each year.
https://rapidkil.com.au/what-do-termites-look-for-in-2025-australia/
Termites | Victorian Building Authority
Cited text: Have a pest controller inspect the house every 12 months, especially if you are in a high hazard area.
Excerpt: Have a pest controller inspect the house every 12 months, especially if you are in a high hazard area
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
Termites | Victorian Building Authority
Cited text: Address plumbing leaks, drainage problems and roof leaks promptly, as termites are attracted to damp conditions.
Excerpt: Address plumbing leaks, drainage problems and roof leaks promptly, as termites are attracted to damp conditions
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
Termites | Victorian Building Authority
Cited text: Do not build up garden beds and mulching against walls, as this allows termites an undetectable entry point to the building.
Excerpt: Do not build up garden beds and mulching against walls, as this allows termites an undetectable entry point to the building
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
Termites | Victorian Building Authority
Cited text: Do not stack materials against walls, as this can allow termites to enter without early detection.
Excerpt: Do not stack materials against walls, as this can allow termites to enter without early detection
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
Is Animal Damage Covered By Home Insurance? | Suncorp Insurance
Cited text: If you have a brick home, ensure the weep holes (gaps between the bricks around the base of the perimeter of your home) are kept clear of concrete, di...
Excerpt: If you have a brick home, ensure the weep holes (gaps between the bricks around the base of the perimeter of your home) are kept clear of concrete, dirt, garden mulch
https://www.suncorp.com.au/learn-about/maintaining-a-home/does-insurance-cover-pest-control.html
Termites | Victorian Building Authority
Cited text: Things to look for include: weak timber that breaks easily revealing wafer thin layers—skirting boards are often the first point of damage · changes...
Excerpt: Things to look for include: weak timber that breaks easily revealing wafer thin layers—skirting boards are often the first point of damage
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
What Do Termites Look Like in 2025? | Identify & Prevent
Cited text: ✔ Mud tubes—Subterranean termites build shelter tubes along walls or foundations. ✔ Warped doors and windows—Termite activity can cause structural...
Excerpt: mud tubes—subterranean termites build shelter tubes along walls or foundations; warped doors and windows—termite activity can cause structural shifts; droppings (Frass)—drywood termites leave behind tiny wood-colored pellets;…
https://rapidkil.com.au/what-do-termites-look-for-in-2025-australia/
Home Insurance: is Termite Damage Covered by Insurers?
Cited text: However, most pest control companies offer warranties on their termite management systems or termite treatments. This is about as close as you can get...
Excerpt: most pest control companies offer warranties on their termite management systems or termite treatments.
https://www.piantospestcontrol.com.au/articles/termites/termite-white-ant-damage-home-insurance/
Aussie homeowners warned as inactive 30kg 'monster' found in roof: 'Absolute destruction'
Cited text: Related: Homeowners warned after pest controller's invasive find in roof insulation · 'Don't play with nature, get your termite inspections done yearl...
Excerpt: Don't play with nature, get your termite inspections done yearly and take any advice given seriously, even a small leak can sustain a colony while they eat your home
https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-ho...d-in-roof-absolute-destruction-011105942.html
Termite Attacks in Western Australia: Current Trends and Statistics—ABI PEST Control
Cited text: High Prevalence of Termite Attacks: According to recent studies, over 1 in 4 homes in Western Australia will experience a termite infestation at some ...
Excerpt: According to recent studies, over 1 in 4 homes in Western Australia will experience a termite infestation at some point in their lifespan.
https://abipest.com.au/termite-attacks-in-western-australia-current-trends-and-statistics/
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