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Environpest Thermographics
Thermographic Survey
or thermal imaging is another inspection and detection technique for finding
termites and other insects including Fire Ants. Extremely effective for
inspecting large areas. We have thermographically surveyed Parliament House
in Queensland with a thermographer, and also discovered a termite nest on the top floor
of another historical CBD building. As you will see from the photos on this page,
there are occasions where termites are not outwardly visible, but become visible through
the use of a thermographic camera.
Like most things, there are thermal cameras, and there are thermal cameras. There are also thermographers and thermographers. Accuracy and resolution are the key issues in thermal imaging, and the cheaper cameras with limited resolution don't have the resolution to establish the temperature difference in walls until such time as termite are doing substantial damage. The training of the individual thermographers can sometimes be an issue as more and more thermal imaging businesses seem to go down a franchising road. In our experience, sometimes the skills of the original thermographer aren't effectively passed to the franchisee.
Because of the cost of thermal imaging properly with the better cameras, thermal imaging isn't a technique we'd consider appropriate in every inspection. Most termite infestations in normal homes can be detected quite effectively by competent inspection without a thermal camera in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.3. Where we can reach a conclusion that thermal imaging is appropriate, we can refer you to competent thermographers who can reliably produce results.
Following is an example of what can be found with proper thermal imaging. In the head of a doorway in an historical Brisbane building, we found a heat pattern that was suspicious to us.
From there we investigated a bit further, and found termites attacking the head of the doorway.
The head was removed, and the termites treated.
Thermographic survey is an excellent inspection tool to use in large scale subdivisions, large buildings, or in homes where termite infestations have repeatedly occurred. The ability to accurately track a termite entry point, particularly in dispute resolution is incredible! We would consider thermographic survey essential in Central Business District buildings, particularly from a pre-purchase perspective. Thermographic survey also provides other benefits. There have been instances where overheating switchboards have been found.
In the Fire Ant issue, we have found that the Fire Ants have a heat profile, that may well allow us to find their nests from the air. Helicopter surveys can scan large areas quickly.
In short, it is another inspection technique that if used appropriately, provides valuable assessment of areas where we cannot perform an invasive inspection.
As an aside, our 13 year old son Joel recently twisted his knee pulling a stunt on his push bike (Missed by that much!). An arthroscopy was required, and he was fortunate not to require a knee re-construction. A thermographic shows the damage to his knee!
At the same time, we decided to put the thermal camera on our poor mistreated blue/red cattle dog cross. You may be able to tell from the width of the photo that we were joking about the poor mistreated part, but the image is again spectacular!
Here is a moving thermal image of a queen termite.
Jokes aside, thermal imaging performed properly with the right equipment and training can be an extremely effective way of detecting termites and other pests from a distance that cannot always be detected by conventional inspection techniques. We're not afraid to try something different if it will produce a result for our clients!
© Mark Porter 2001
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