Timber–soil contact or bridged ant caps
MajorWhat you may see: Timber touching soil; garden beds or formwork bridging protective details.
Risk: Direct or easy pathways for subterranean termites into framing.
Termites & timber pests
Subfloor & termites
Suspended timber floors create a dark, often damp void that is ground zero for subterranean termites — and for the moisture conditions that invite them.
Why it matters
Ant caps, pier clearances, drainage, vents, and timber stored under the house decide how easy it is for termites to reach framing. Buyers who skip a proper subfloor look take on risk they cannot see from the living room.
How a Sitescop inspector helps protect you
Expert inspection is how buyers and owners catch timber pest risk while they still have options.
- We treat the subfloor as a priority zone — not a quick glance from the hatch.
- Building and pest findings are connected: springy floors, damp soil, and pest risk often tell one story.
- You get photos and plain-English ratings you can take to your solicitor or builder.
What we look for
Rated the way we discuss findings in reports — Major, Minor, Safety, or Further investigation.
Damp, poorly ventilated subfloor
MajorWhat you may see: Musty air, wet soil, blocked vents, staining on timber or piers.
Risk: Conditions that favour both decay fungi and timber pests.
Debris and stored timber under the house
MinorWhat you may see: Old timber, cardboard, packing, or rubbish against piers and bearers.
Risk: Harbour for pests and retained moisture.
No safe subfloor access
Further investigationWhat you may see: Missing hatch, sealed void, or unsafe entry.
Risk: Major limitation — activity may be present but not inspectable.
Protection checklist
What lower-risk conditions tend to look like.
- Working vents and reasonably dry ground conditions
- Visible ant caps not obviously bridged where present
- Clearance and access adequate for inspection where design allows
- No timber stored against structural members
How Sitescop inspects
- Enter accessible subfloor openings where safe
- Inspect piers, bearers, joists, ant caps, and ground systematically
- Note moisture, decay, and pest-conducive details together
- Flag inaccessible zones so you know what was not seen
Technology & knowledge
- High-output lighting for dark voids
- Moisture assessment where readings assist diagnosis
- Photo evidence of each significant finding
Photo examples
Educational imagery for this topic. We will swap in anonymised on-site timber pest photos as you supply them — never publishing client-identifying details.
Brick piers and plumbing — classic inspection paths for tubes and bridging
Debris on dirt ground — harbour and moisture against the structure
Joists on stumps with rubbish in the void — conducive conditions
FAQ
Do you treat termites from under the house?
We identify evidence and conducive conditions during inspection. Chemical treatment and baiting are separate licensed pest management services.