Signs of meth smoking
- Yellow or brown film on walls, ceilings and window frames, especially in small rooms
- Removed or disconnected smoke alarms
- Small burn marks on carpets, benches or furniture
- Light globes, foil, glass pipes or small zip-lock bags left behind
- Heavy use of air fresheners or incense to mask odours
Signs of manufacture
- Strong chemical, solvent, ammonia or cat-urine smells
- Stained or corroded sinks, drains, bathtubs and benches
- Covered windows, extra security and cameras
- Improvised ventilation, holes in ceilings or fans in windows
- Chemical containers, gas bottles, tubing and glassware
- Dead patches in the yard where chemicals were dumped
If you find what looks like an active lab, leave without touching anything and call 000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Signs from the property's history
- Short or broken tenancies, unpaid rent and abandonment
- Police visits or raids
- Neighbour reports of unusual traffic at odd hours
- A sudden fresh paint job and new carpets in an otherwise tired rental
Why you can't rely on signs
Residue is invisible and often odourless. Fresh paint and carpets can hide everything. That is why a DIY kit or professional test is the only reliable way to know.
Last reviewed October 2026 by the EnviroForce team