Thermal Imaging

More and more Pest Inspectors are now selling a pre purchase Pest Inspection Report with the inclusion of thermal imaging. This technology is great, with an ever increasing need for non-invasive access by purchasers, vendors and real estate agents. The imaging provides a view of areas such as wall cavities and high moisture levels and the technology can be used in unison to moisture meters and other dampness indicators.

What you may not know is that when an inspector who uses thermal imaging equipment claims to see ‘potential active termites’, it could be a wide range of defects, further evidence is required to establish the true nature of the hot spot.

Thermal imaging can highlight not only signs of termites, but (and not limited to): poor building practices (which aren’t in most cases known by a Pest Inspector), a plumbing leak, or signs of ants. How the inspector interprets findings all depends on the processes he uses to conduct his inspection alongside his experience.

As well as not pinpointing the reason for the hot spot, thermal imaging does not locate signs of termite damage. This is very important. Choose an inspector which does not base his inspections on thermal imaging alone, but makes use of and who is experienced in, a range of other techniques to provide you with the most accurate inspection. Spotting potential active termites is an advantage, but an advantage which ‘most’ pest inspectors should be able to spot in a traditional inspection.