As an interstate investor eyeing Sunshine Coast real estate, you’re likely aware of the region’s beautiful beaches and vibrant lifestyle. However, you may be less familiar with some of the areas less desirable inhabitants – our local pests.
Understanding the local pest landscape is crucial for protecting your investment and ensuring long-term property value. Here are some of the key pests you need to know about when investing in the Sunshine Coast property market.
Termites: The Silent Destroyers
Termites are perhaps the most significant timber pest threat to Sunshine Coast properties. The warm, humid climate provides ideal conditions for these wood-destroying insects. Two main species to watch for are:
Coptotermes acinaciformis (Subterranean termites)
Cryptotermes brevis (West Indian drywood termites)
Regular inspections and proper prevention measures are essential, as termite damage can be extensive and costly to repair. The most effective prevention against termites in correlation with an up-to-date termite management system is a regular termite inspection. This should be factored into your property maintenance costs on an annual basis.
Borers: Wood-Eating Beetles
Various wood-boring beetles can infest timber structures in southeast Queensland. These pests can weaken structural timbers over time. You may have noticed small holes close together in milled timbers, which are evidence of previous wood borers. These timber pests which fall under our scope of inspection are less common, however they can still cause considerable damage to timbers if left untreated.
Mosquitoes: More Than Just a Nuisance
While not directly damaging to property, mosquitoes can significantly impact tenant comfort and health. The Sunshine Coast’s many water bodies provide ideal breeding grounds for these pests. If you can limit the number of places that have standing water on your property, then there will be less mozzies around generally. During our inspections we identify areas throughout the yard space that may be holding water, particularly due to poor drainage, which can help to eliminate stagnant water and breeding grounds around the property.
Cockroaches: Unwelcome Guests
The Sunshine Coast’s climate is also favourable for cockroaches. Common species include both the German cockroaches and American cockroaches. While they do not do so much damage to a home, they can be very undesirable and tenants won’t like living with them.
These pests can damage property, spread disease, and be a major turn-off to tenants. Although outside our scope of inspection, they are an important pest to keep under control with either household products or treatments.
Rodents: Rats and Mice
Rodents can cause significant damage to properties by gnawing on wood, wires, and pipes. The most common rodent pests include black rats, house mice, field mice and native mice species too.
From a property owners’ perspective, they can damage timber, and they also make nests in roofs or other areas of the home such as inside walls or under cupboards. It is rare of course but fires can be caused by them chewing through wires for example. Our inspections identify gaps to exteriors which can allow entry points for vermin.
Ants: Tiny Invaders
Several ant species can be problematic in Sunshine Coast properties. While they don’t usually cause structural problems like termites do, they can still be annoying for tenants or residents. Having lots of ants can sometimes be a sign of moisture in a property, but this is not always the case. We inspect for areas of high moisture throughout properties using non invasive moisture meters.
Ants can be both inside and outside the home. More common outside are the jumping ants. They have lots of other names too. They are big and when they bite you will know about it. Queensland is also seeing the appearance of fire ants. They need to be reported if colonies are found on your property.
Prevention and Management
To protect your investment from these local pests, here are some steps you can take :
- Conduct thorough pest inspections before purchasing and regularly thereafter.
- Ensure proper drainage and eliminate standing water around the property.
- Use treated timber in construction and renovations.
- Maintain the property, sealing entry points and fixing leaks promptly.
- Consider professional pest control services for regular treatments, especially between tenancies.
Just for clarity, there are also lots of spiders and snakes on the Sunshine Coast. Especially once you get out of the built-up areas. While most are not dangerous, it is good to know that they exist, especially if you think of moving to your investment home sometime in the future. We often find snake skins and evidence of snakes in roof spaces. By identifying potential entry points through exterior gaps and advising clients of findings, these creatures can then be relocated as required.
Understanding the local pest landscape is important for interstate investors. While the Sunshine Coast offers excellent investment opportunities, being aware of these potential issues allows you to make informed decisions and protect your property’s value.
Always work with reputable local pest inspectors who understand the region’s unique challenges. With the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can ensure your Sunshine Coast investment property remains pest-free and profitable for years to come.
