The short answer
Termite treatment is one of the highest-ticket residential pest jobs, so choosing a company is about more than price. Understand whether chemical injection or bait stations fit your flat (faster visible control vs a slower approach aimed at the colony itself); check that the inspection report names the specific locations found, the assessed species, the proposed method and the registered product name; and make sure the warranty is written down — what's covered, how a recurrence is handled, how long it runs, and what voids it. Before you sign, run a short question checklist past any company, including us. A quote that jumps once they're on-site with no explanation, a refusal to name the product, or pressure to sign the same day are all reasons to pause.
Chemical injection vs bait stations: which fits your flat?
| Method | How it works | Speed | Fits best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical injection (barrier treatment) | Drilling or injecting a registered pesticide along mud tube lines, skirting and timber elements to create a treated zone around the structure | Starts working as soon as it's applied, usually done in one visit | Mud tube locations are clearly identified, you want visible control quickly, and the flat can tolerate a small amount of drilling |
| Bait stations | Stations placed outdoors or at suspected activity points, checked and replenished on a schedule, relying on foraging termites to carry bait back to the colony | Takes longer to show results, but aims to work through to the colony itself | You want to address the colony rather than just surface activity, and you can commit to ongoing monitoring visits — common for village houses or standalone properties with gardens |
Neither method is simply "better" — it depends on your situation: whether the colony's location is known, whether the flat can tolerate drilling, how quickly you want visible results, and whether you're willing to commit to ongoing monitoring. A company worth hiring explains why it's recommending one over the other rather than just pushing its default option.
What should a professional inspection report actually contain?
- Locations found, itemised — exactly where mud tubes or hollow wood were found, not just a one-line "you have termites".
- A species assessment — different termite species can differ in colony structure and treatment approach, and that assessment should be on record.
- Moisture readings, if taken — not every job needs this, but if the technician did use a moisture meter on timber or a wall, the reading should be written into the report rather than just mentioned verbally.
- A proposed method with a stated reason — why chemical injection or bait stations, and why that scope; a recommendation with no reasoning has nothing behind it.
- The product name and registration number — pesticides sold in Hong Kong must be registered, and the report should name the specific product used and its registration number, not just "our specialised solution".
- A written warranty — covered in detail below.
This report is your record if a dispute comes up later — a verbal-only assurance with no written report is very hard to hold anyone to if the problem returns.
Warranty clauses: which lines actually matter?
- How narrow is the coverage — a "whole-flat warranty" versus "only the areas treated"? The latter is common, so ask which one you're getting before you sign.
- What happens on a recurrence — is a re-check within the warranty period free, and does it include re-treatment or just a look?
- Warranty length and start date — does it start from completion of the work or from the inspection date, and how long does it actually run (3 months, 6 months, a year)?
- What voids it — some warranties list conditions such as structural alterations to the flat or DIY spraying that void coverage; read what's actually written before you sign rather than relying on a verbal "just call us".
"Lifetime warranty" sounds reassuring, but without written coverage terms and conditions it doesn't mean much in practice — ask for the specific clause before you take the phrase at face value.
The question checklist to ask before you sign
- What product are you using, and what's its registration number?
- Are you recommending chemical injection or bait stations, and why that method over the other?
- Will the inspection report list the locations found and the proposed method? Can I see a sample?
- What does the warranty cover, how is a recurrence handled, and how long does it run?
- Will I need to move furniture or temporarily leave part of the flat during treatment, and for roughly how long?
- Is there a follow-up visit built into the plan, and is it included in the quoted price?
This checklist isn't just for evaluating us — any company should be able to answer it. A vague or evasive answer is the signal worth paying attention to.
Red flags: pause if you see these
- The price jumps after the on-site inspection with no explanation for the increase — if the scope hasn't changed, why has the number?
- They won't name the product or give a registration number — if they won't answer that, it's hard to trust the rest of what they tell you.
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a "discount if you sign today" — termite treatment isn't an emergency; being given time to compare before signing is normal.
- "Lifetime warranty" with nothing in writing — a warranty with no written terms isn't really a warranty.
Village houses and older buildings with exposed timber: what's different?
Village houses, or older buildings with a lot of exposed timber or wood in contact with the ground, can have colonies sitting outdoors — in a garden, under eaves, in a timber fence — not just inside the flat. Inspecting and treating this kind of structure generally needs more structural access (scaffolding, digging around the exterior, getting into a loft space), which usually takes longer than a standard flat. Worth asking any company you're considering whether they have experience with village houses or similar structures, and whether the work will affect the garden or exterior fencing.
This isn't about who's cheapest — it's about what the quote is based on
We're not re-covering why quotes vary so widely here — that's already broken down in our pest control pricing guide. The point here is different: whatever the price, a report that names specific locations, a method, and a written warranty is what actually lets you judge whether that quote is reasonable. Not sure you even have termites yet? Start with our termite warning signs checklist, or see how to identify the Formosan subterranean termite, one of the species most commonly found in Hong Kong.
Averta's termite service starts from HK$3,380 (chemical treatment with a 6-month warranty; bait station systems quoted separately), with a HK$350 inspection fee fully credited when you book. Feel free to put the checklist above to us directly.