Annandale is one of the Inner West’s most intact Victorian suburbs. Laid out on a grid from the 1870s onwards, its streets climb from Parramatta Road up the ridge of Johnston Street and fall away on both sides toward a creek. That geography, and the age of the houses built on it, explain almost every pest call we take in the suburb.

1. Victorian and Federation houses with original timber

Most Annandale homes – from the grand villas along Johnston Street to the single-fronted terraces on Trafalgar, Nelson and Collins Streets – were built between the 1880s and 1920s. They have hardwood floor frames resting on sandstone or brick piers, shallow subfloors with little ventilation, timber verandahs and back additions that sit closer to the soil than the original house. Subterranean termites need three things: timber, moisture and a hidden path from the ground. Annandale’s older houses supply all three, and termite workings are routinely found in skirting boards, door frames and rear extensions where a later renovation bridged the original termite-resistant footings.

That is why we recommend a termite inspection every 12 months for any Annandale home built before the 1970s – and always before you buy. An inspection takes about an hour, costs far less than one repaired bearer, and gives you a written report for your records or your conveyancer.

2. Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek – the suburb’s rodent corridors

Annandale is bracketed by two concrete-lined stormwater creeks. Whites Creek runs along the western side toward Leichhardt and Lilyfield, and Johnstons Creek runs along the eastern side toward Glebe and Forest Lodge. Both drain north into Rozelle Bay. Channels like these are moist, sheltered and full of debris after rain – ideal travel routes for Norway rats and roof rats. After heavy storms we see a clear spike in rodent calls from streets that run down to either creek, and from homes backing onto the creek-side parks such as Whites Creek Valley Park and the reserves near the Johnstons Creek channel.

3. Mature street trees and deep backyards

Annandale’s plane trees, figs and large backyard gardens are part of the suburb’s appeal, but overhanging branches give roof rats and possums a bridge straight onto terrace roofs. Once on the roof, gaps under old slate and terracotta tiles, at gutter lines and around chimneys lead into the ceiling void. Garden mulch and dense ground cover against the house also shelter ants, cockroaches and spiders right where they can move indoors.

4. The Johnston Street and Booth Street village

Annandale’s cafés, restaurants, pubs and grocers are concentrated along Johnston Street and the Booth Street end of the suburb. Commercial kitchens, shared bin areas and rear laneways create the warmth, food and water that German cockroaches and rodents need. Pests don’t respect property lines, so homes behind a busy food strip often share the same pressure.