The Conquer story

2004

Conquer Termites was founded in October 2004 by Rowan and Hiroko Bate. What began as a one-person operation from their home in Cannon Hill has grown into a trusted company servicing all corners of South-East Queensland.

Rowan stepped away from another company to build a pest control business that reflected his values — one that would do things properly. He believed not every homeowner was driven purely by price; many simply wanted to find a company they could trust.

He also saw that there were many skilled, conscientious people in the industry who were searching for a business that shared their values – a company that appreciated their contribution and empowered them to do excellent work.

That was the spark that became Conquer Termites – a company built on trust, pride, and purpose.

2004

The very first Conquer ute 2004 – Mitsubishi Triton

2004

Every story starts somewhere. For Conquer Termites, it all began at 79 Temple Street, Coorparoo — the very first home treated by Rowan Bate in 2004.

The best part? Sandra has called on Conquer twice more over the years to protect her home — a true “Three-peat” that perfectly captures what Conquer has always been about: earning long-term trust through quality work and genuine care.

2004

Like all newly established companies, the biggest challenge was to find customers. Back then, the main way to advertise your service was predominantly through the Yellow Pages, Quest newspapers, and flyers – paper jammed

in the letterbox. Remember, only 16% of households had an internet connection back then, and it was only dial-up.

Marketing Letter

To get started, Rowan launched an ambitious letter campaign. At the time, you could buy a CD containing the names, addresses, and landline numbers of every household. Thousands of letters were mail-merged and posted to homeowners across South Brisbane. follow-up telemarketing call offered a free termite check – often leading to a full inspection or treatment. It was a tough, time-consuming way to market — but it worked. Many of those first customers are still with us today.

Printed Flyers

As the company grew, Conquer Termites evolved beyond letter drops into a wider range of printed marketing materials that continue to underpin our brand identity today.

2005

In September 2005, Andy Henderson helped design and launch the very first Conquer Termites website. It was an exciting step – at that time, only a handful of Brisbane pest control companies had ventured online.

The original Homepage

The original homepage might look a little daggy by today’s standards, but back then it was cutting-edge. The combination of good design, clear information, and smart content quickly set Conquer Termites apart.

We were able to rank organically on the first page for almost all major search terms – a huge achievement for a small, local company in the early days of Google. The wider reach of the internet opened the door to new homeowners across Greater Brisbane and beyond, driving strong, steady growth.

That first site didn’t just generate leads, it marked the start of Conquer’s long-standing focus on innovation, communication, and professionalism in everything we do.

conquertermites.com.au

2005

Looking back, 2004 turned out to be the perfect time to start a pest control company. Many competitors were still tied to old ways — relying on print advertising and hesitant to embrace new technologies or innovations.

That same year, BASF launched Termidor in Australia – a genuine game-changer in termite control. While others dismissed it as an overpriced alternative, Conquer Termites recognised its long-term value. We were among the first pest control companies accredited by BASF to apply Termidor, and we’ve proudly stood by it ever since.

Termidor’s non-repellent, transfer effect represented a major leap forward in termite management, and BASF’s national advertising made the brand instantly recognisable to homeowners. Customers began asking for Termidor by name – and we saw the opportunity to align our business with a product that embodied the same values we do: reliability, proven performance, and peace of mind.

While many competitors pooh-poohed Termidor for its higher price, Conquer understood that quality products build trust and trust builds a brand.

Rowan’s BASF Termidor accreditation 2005

2006

From the beginning, Conquer Termites has been driven by one idea – to be the best and most innovative in everything we do. One of our proudest achievements was pioneering Australia’s first fully digital termite inspection reports and treatment proposals.

In the mid-2000s, most pest inspectors still relied on Rapid Solutions’ old “tick-and-flick” carbon-copy forms – no photos, no digital delivery, and every comment had to be handwritten. Once complete, reports were physically mailed to customers days later.

In 2006, the brilliant Rodney Phillips developed the first version of our PDF-based digital reporting system, built using Adobe software. This breakthrough allowed Conquer to insert multiple photos, automate key comments, and design the layout to reflect the Conquer brand — clear, professional, and customer-focused.

For us, the report was never just a technical document — it was also a powerful marketing tool. Each report carried our professionalism and attention to detail directly into the homeowner’s hands, reinforcing the trust that defines Conquer Termites to this day.

2009

Nick started as a Trainee with Conquer in 2009 and quickly became a competent Technician. Drawing on his previous business experience and drive running a lawn mowing business, he made the brave leap to take on the challenge of operating the South-Central franchise in September 2011.

In 2025, Nick amalgamated with the parent company and has become a valued member of the management team.

2011

Conquer’s ongoing drive for excellence has always meant staying at the forefront of technology. In 2011, we took another major step forward by equipping all our inspectors with FLIR thermal imaging cameras — a significant investment at the time, but one that reflected our commitment to delivering the very best results.

While most termite activity is still detected through skilled visual inspection, thermal cameras provide an extra layer of insight, helping identify hidden temperature anomalies that may indicate concealed termite activity. More than that, it elevated our inspections to what customers began to recognise as “best practice”.

Just like our digital reports, the use of thermal imaging became both a diagnostic and a marketing advantage. It demonstrated to homeowners that Conquer Termites wasn’t just doing the job — we were leading the industry in precision, professionalism, and trust.

2011

In 2011, Conquer Termites made its first post on Facebook, announcing our appearance on Channel Nine for an interview about the termite challenges facing homeowners across South-East Queensland.

From that moment, we recognised the potential of social media as more than just a promotional tool – it became a platform to share our values, celebrate our team, and connect directly with homeowners.

Over the years, Facebook has allowed Conquer to showcase our community involvement, highlight success stories, and educate homeowners about termite protection – reinforcing the same message that’s guided us from the beginning: we care about doing the job properly.

In the pursuit of fun and embarrassment, Conquer started the Annual Golf Challenge in 2011. It has morphed into a much-anticipated annual fancy dress event where the team goes around the Bulimba 9-Hole course in a very undirect line. There is even a trophy for the person who doesn’t count well.

 Not actually about golf

2012

In April 2012, Dan Kemp joined Conquer Termites as a pest control technician. From the very beginning, it was clear that Dan brought something special — integrity, calm leadership, and an unwavering commitment to doing things properly.

It didn’t take long for those qualities to shine. Dan quickly progressed through the ranks, earning the respect of both the team and our customers. His professionalism and consistency made him a natural fit for greater responsibility, eventually leading him to become the General Manager of Conquer Termites.

Dan’s leadership has played a crucial role in shaping the culture, standards, and team spirit that define Conquer today — a reminder that great companies are built by great people.

2013

Now we live in the age of Instagram and TikTok, so the wacky idea to make termite costumes and record a YouTube dance video does not seem so strange. Back in 2013, it was pioneering and creative.

It truly was a statement that Conquer Termites was different and innovative. The beautiful thing about making that video and photos was the fun and corroborative efforts of all involved. The seven “dancers” are probably regarded as the “Original Conquer Crew.”

2013

Also, in 2013, two “information” videos were professionally produced. Conquer realised that visual demonstration of information was becoming a more desirable source for homeowners as they researched information on the best way to inspect and treat their homes for termites.

Watch our Inspection video

This has been validated, as Conquer’s Inspection video is now the most-watched YouTube termite inspection video in Australia.

Watch our termite treatment video

2013

In 2013, Conquer Termites took delivery of its first fully enclosed aluminium canopy, custom-built by Austate Equipment. It marked a major step forward in both professionalism and practicality.

Designed by Conquer to meet the specific needs of our technicians, the new canopies offer purpose-built storage for the large range of tools, chemicals, and equipment used on every job. The result was improved efficiency, safety, and on-site functionality  – all while presenting a clean, organised image to customers.

Beyond their practical benefits, the canopies also became a powerful mobile billboard. With the Conquer branding proudly displayed, every vehicle on the road helped reinforce our reputation for quality, reliability, and pride in our presentation.

2014

What a game-changer ServiceM8 has been for Conquer Termites since we adopted it in 2014!

This cloud-based platform brought together everything we needed to run the business efficiently: bookings, scheduling, invoicing, reporting, and client records — all in one place. It allowed us to go completely paperless, communicate more effectively with customers, and make our technicians’ days simpler and more productive.

A major leap forward came in 2018, when we integrated our inspection reports and treatment proposals directly into ServiceM8. Technicians could now use their iPhones or iPads to capture photos, take notes, and generate full reports on site, no more digital cameras, laptops, or long drives back to base just to complete paperwork.

This innovation didn’t just save time – it strengthened our commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and exceptional customer service, proving once again that smart systems support great technicians.

As a leader in our industry, we are asked by various media to discuss all things termites. Our first exposure on TV was in 2011 on Channel Seven News, then in 2012 on Channel Nine. In 2015, Conquer Termites was asked by the Queensland Institute of Architects to conduct a seminar about termite proofing options and the Building Code requirements.

Conquer Termites are regular guests on ABC 612 to discuss all things pest and take Listeners’ calls.

2014

Milestones deserve to be celebrated — especially when they arrive faster than you expect. In 2014, Conquer Termites marked its 10th anniversary with a memorable gala dinner at the Quay West Hotel.

2017

After 13 years of operating from a home office, Conquer Termites reached a point where growth demanded a dedicated space. In 2017, we proudly moved into our current headquarters at Cannon Hill — a milestone that reflected how far we’d come.

The location couldn’t be better: close to key facilities and with easy access to the Gateway Motorway, allowing our technicians to service all parts of Brisbane efficiently. But more than convenience, the new office became a central hub for our people — a place for team meetings, training seminars, and shared coffee breaks that strengthen our culture.

The Cannon Hill office symbolises Conquer’s evolution — from a family-run start-up to a professional, united team focused on excellence and continual improvement.

2019

It was a big change to start Steph as our dedicated sales person in 2019. Prior to that Dan & Rowan were taking all the incoming bookings and inquiries.

Steph adds great humor and passion to all her interactions with our valuable customers.

They love her!