Pest control in Brisbane: costs, city services and local pests

Quick answer: In Brisbane, suspected fire ants must be reported to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (13 25 23), not treated privately. Brisbane City Council will investigate rat and mouse infestations and advise, but does not treat homes; for everything else, hire a pest controller licensed by Queensland Health.

Local pest issues in Brisbane

Fire ants. Red imported fire ants are the pest that sets Brisbane apart. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is funded by all Australian governments, delivered by Biosecurity Queensland and aims to eradicate fire ants by 2032. Fire ant biosecurity zones cover a large part of south-east Queensland including Brisbane, are reviewed monthly, and now extend 5 km beyond known detections rather than following suburb boundaries. In September 2026 the program announced a partnership with CSIRO to explore gene-silencing technology, and it reports that eight of nine genetically distinct incursions in Australia have been eradicated. Movement controls apply to materials such as soil, mulch and turf. If you suspect fire ants, do not disturb or treat the nest: report it online or on 13 25 23. Our guide to reporting suspected fire ants lists what to record.

Termites. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission says termites are a problem throughout Queensland. It advises checking the durable termite management notice, usually in the electrical meter box, meeting the system’s maintenance requirements, and having a licensed pest controller inspect every year, or more often in high-risk areas. Paths, garden beds, patios and landscaping can make a termite system less effective. See our guide to Queensland termite management notices.

Rats and mosquitoes. Brisbane City Council uses trained rodent detection dogs, female fox terriers, to find where rodents nest so its officers can advise property owners. The council also runs a year-round mosquito management programme.

Brisbane City Council and state services

Issue	Who deals with it	Charge	How to contact
Suspected fire ants	National Fire Ant Eradication Program (Biosecurity Queensland)	Free to report	13 25 23 or fireants.org.au reporting form
Rat or mouse infestation	Brisbane City Council officer investigates and advises you or the owner.	Free to report; treatment is private	07 3403 8888 (24 hours)
Mosquitoes	Council’s year-round mosquito management programme.	Free	07 3403 8888
Pests in food businesses	Council food safety (Eat Safe) inspections.	Free to report	07 3403 8888
Termites, cockroaches, wasps at home	You, through a licensed pest controller.	Private price	Get quotes (see below)

What private pest control costs in Brisbane

We have not found a reliable published price list specific to Brisbane, so use the national reported ranges in our Australia pest control cost guide. As a guide, hipages reports rodent removal at $250–$350, cockroach treatment at $215–$315 and bee or wasp nest removal at $100–$550, and puts a pre-purchase pest inspection at around $250. Termite work is priced separately and can run into the thousands for a full barrier.

Our checklist for comparing callouts, follow-up visits and quotes shows what to line up side by side. We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company; the form below passes your request to licensed firms that cover your area.

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We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company. We do not guarantee a quote, a price or a response time. If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, contact the relevant emergency service.

Renting in Brisbane: who deals with pests

Queensland’s Residential Tenancies Authority says the property manager or owner must ensure the property is free from pests when the tenant moves in and throughout the tenancy, unless the tenant’s actions caused the problem. The tenant must leave the property in the same standard as at the start and should report vermin promptly. A property manager cannot require a tenant to use a specific pest control service, pay a set fee for pest control or use a particular product, and cannot require the property to be left in a better condition than at the start. Pet approvals can include reasonable pest control conditions.

How to choose a pest controller here

In Queensland a pest management technician must hold a current pest management licence from Queensland Health, and licences are only issued to individuals. Ask to see the licence and contact Queensland Health if you are unsure.
Get the scope in writing: which pests, inside and outside, number of visits, any warranty period and what it excludes.
For termites, ask whether the report follows the Australian Standard for inspections and whether a durable notice is on the property.
Ask what the treatment means for children and pets and when rooms can be re-entered; our guide to treatments around children and pets lists the questions.
Compare at least two quotes. See choosing a pest controller.

Pest control providers in Brisbane

These businesses appear in public business listings for Brisbane. We have not checked their Queensland Health licences or insurance, so ask to see the licence before booking.