Brisbane's humid subtropical climate keeps pests active most of the year. Subterranean termites are a constant risk to timber homes, especially older Queenslanders in suburbs like Ashgrove, Indooroopilly and Paddington, and new estates in Logan and Ipswich rely on barrier maintenance.
Cockroaches, ants, spiders and rodents peak through the wet summer. Queensland regulates pest work on two fronts: a Queensland Health pest management licence for people applying pesticides, and a QBCC licence class for termite management.
Red imported fire ants are a separate matter in parts of south-east Queensland, where suspected nests are reported to the national eradication program rather than sold as a normal service. Pre-purchase building and pest inspections create a steady flow of referrals.