| Termite Baiting | Benefits & Limitations |
| FUMAPEST uses the NEMESIS Termite Baiting Sysyem |
Termite baiting to be successful depends on sufficient termites consuming sufficient termite bait. Even so there is NO guarantee another termite colony is not attacking your home. Each situation must be assessed on it's merits. Leading termite baiting systems commercially available in Australia include Advance (Bayer), Exterra (Ensystex), Nemesis (PCT International) and Sentricon (Dow) and Xterm (Sumitomo) Termite Baiting Systems. FUMAPEST prefers to use the Nemesis Termite Baiting System which achieves the best practical purposes. How termite baiting works best when live worker termites are found AND then a platic station with ternite bait inside is attached to such activity. The worker termites eat the bait which contains a slow acting IGR insect growth regulator. The worker termites readily transfer the bait onto other termites in the central nest as part of their mutual feeding and grooming process. These termites die as they cannot complete their moulting process. Regular monitoring: The above-ground termite bait stations are checked at 2 to 3 week intervals to assess levels of termite bait consumption by the termites. The termite bait is replenished as required. With sufficient consumption the entire termite colony can be eliminated. BUT remember that other termite nests may still infest the building. BEWARE: Some unscrupulous pest control companies offer to install in-ground plastic stations as a termite "baiting" and monitoring program even if no live termites are found on the property and a complete soil treatment to AS3660 is a viable (and much better) long term option. REMEMBER: this strategy assumes the blind termites will "find" the monitoring stations, then and only then, is the termite bait added. Many home-owners complain to us about such unscrupulous pest controllers. The home-owners were lead to beleive the termite "baiting" and monitoring plastic stations included the termite bait upon installation. Most often it doesnt, with termite bait added if the termites happen to find and infest the timber inside the in-ground stations. The termites may infest the building, long before blindly finding the in-ground stations around the perimeter of the building. In-ground monitoring stations may be an option where a complete soil treatment to AS3660 is impracticable, such as, with a home built on sandstone (no soil thereunder) or a terrace attached in a row of joined terraces or a ferry wharf, where a complete soil treatment to AS.3660 cannot be carried out. Each case to be assessed on it's merits. |
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| Above-Ground & In-Ground Termite Bait Stations |
| Above-ground baiting of live termite activity found: An excellent initial strategy whereby the termite bait is immediately placed in an above-ground station and onto the timbers where termites are found feeding. The termite bait is highly attractive to destructive termite species. This means termites readily feed on the termite bait, taking it back to the central as part of their mutual feeding and grooming process.
Termites cannot avoid what they cannot detect: Registered termite baits are designed so that the IGR chemical cannot be detected by the termites. They do not know were the deadly effect is coming from. The insect growth regulator active ingredient stops the termite colony being able to reproduce as the Queen termite becomes affected and dies. The termite bait is replenished or refreshed periodically.
In-ground monitoring of termite activity: If live termites cannot be located, special in-ground monitoring stations can be placed either in the soil, through concrete or under pavement at strategically important points around a building. These stations can be inspected on a regular basis at intervals of approximately 2 to 3 months. Regular inspections are essential: It is strongly recommended that regular 3 monthly or 6 monthly house inspections are also carried out by your pest controller if your house/property is assessed to be at moderate to high risk of a termite infestation. Termite Monitoring: When the termite colony has been eliminated, the termite bait is removed and new timber inserts are put into place. The monitoring system then continues to provide an opportunity to detect termites foraging in the soil close to structures. Several months to gain control ? termite baiting may take several months to completely eliminate a termite colony even in favourable circumstances. However, in ideal circumstances termite baiting can be reasonably expected to greatly reduce the rate of timber consumption by the termite colony within one month after the termites begin to consume the termite bait. With sufficient termite bait being consumed it is virtually certain the colony will be eliminated in the medium term, but not always. Additional system features: The termite bait system features stations that are opened by a special tool. The active ingredient of the termite bait is securely contained below ground. The active ingredient has extremely low toxicity to humans and pets. The termite plastic station is especially designed low profile permanent fixture for insertion in concrete pathing around the perimeter of a house. |
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| FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Termite Baits |
| Does the termite bait actually work? Yes. Termite baiting can be highly effective BUT only where a sufficient number of termites "find" and consume the termite bait. The system is preferred by some home-owners as the termite bait is of very low hazard to humans and other mammals and is an environmemtally friendly product.
Do I need to use licensed pest controller? NO - there are several DIY Termite Baits on the market. But if you are worried about termites in your home - we recommend you first obtain a termite inspection report to AS.3660.
Termite Control specialists should have many years field-work experience in termite control and be trained in related subjects, such as termite biology, ecology, building construction and associated likely termite entry points, termite detection and reporting, along with integrated termite management procedures. Is DIY termite baiting worth the risk ? Even if the termites find the in-ground termte stations - the DIY operative may easily disturb the termites in the bait station from inspection and adding bait - causing the termites to vacate the location and consume little or no termite bait. The termites may continue to damage the timbers in the building.
With so much at stake, in most circumstances, we advise the DIY Home-Owner it would be unwise to attempt to DIY termite protection. Are all licensed pest controllers properly trained? NO. It is far too easy to obtain a State Govt Pest Controllers Licence - BE CAREFUL - click here for more details. What sort of harm can termites cause? This can vary greatly depending on the species of termites, the size of the colony, it's age and vigor as well as other factors, such as the availability of food sources. There are many other factors that can play a role in the speed of attack and the extent of damage. In many cases where attack is detected early, the cost of repairs is most often minimal. But the longer the infestation lasts, the greater the damage and cost of rectifying the problem, particularly if they get into the structural roofing timbers. Termites can also damage books, clothing and a wide range of other cellulose based items. How often should my property be inspected? Australian Standard AS3660 advises that properties should be inspected at intervals of every 3 to 6 months in designated high risk situations and otherwise annually. What is the average risk factor of termite attack and damage? based upon industry and CSIRO studies, it appears about 1 in 4 houses will be attacked and/or damaged by termites during the economic life of the structure. Thus the risk usually increases with the age and location of the property. However, there have been cases of new homes being severely damaged within 3 months of construction. What do I do if I find termites? Do NOT disturb them or attempt to treat them yourself with sprays or aerosols. Call in a professional pest controller. Disturbing the termites will most likely cause the foraging termites to avoid the immediate area and move to another area of the building where they may severely damage timbers before detection. Are all termite species harmful to houses? No, there are more than 300 Australian termite species. A large number of these feed on grasses, standing trees or decayed timbers. In nature their role is to recycle important nutrients. Only about a dozen species common in urban areas will cause severe damage to timber structures. It is important that you engage a professional pest controller to inspect and assess the risk of termite infestation, integrated control methods and likelihood of success. If I have disturbed active termites in my property what should I do? Try not to disturb them further. Try to collect 10 to 20 specimens, preferably termites with darker heads (these are soldier termites). Place these termites in a mixture of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water to preserve them for identification. How long does it take for termite bait to kill the termite colony? This depends on many environmental variables, such as (1) the species of termite - some are very timid and will avoid a baiting location even if only mildly disturbed (2) the amount of termites that ingest the termite bait - if the baiting location has very few termites then effective baiting may not occur (3) the time of year - in a cold winter the termites may largerly hibernate. In ideal circumstances - the right species - warm weather - heavy feeding locations - it will likely take about 6 to 12 weeks. How to verify termite colony elimination? In vast majority of cases of termites in a building, it is virtually impossible to 100% verify a total colony elimination if the nest is hidden underground and totally out of sight. However, substantial bait depletion (feeding) and affected sickly termites being observed and recorded by the pest controller can provide high level confidence that there has been a decline in colony numbers of worker termites (they do the damage) to reduce severe on-going damage to the building. Will placing In-Ground Stations around my house perimeter be more likely to attract termites to my house? NO. The in-ground stations contain timber slats. The termite bait is added after the termites supposedly "find" the stations and infest the timber therein. Termites cannot smell the timber hidden in the soil. Termites randomly forage through the soil looking for new food sources. The in-ground stations may or may NOT allow existing termite activity to be detected and thereafter a baiting process can commence. Bear in mind, there may be other unaffected subterranean termite colony nests within range of your building. |
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| About FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control Lake Macquarie 1300 241 500 |
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| Authoritative References • PDF Articles • Termite Baits |
| WARNING: The NSW Govt EPA Pest Control Licensing is INADEQUATE |
The NSW Pest Control Licensing system is subject to National Competency Assessment guidelines. Mediocre testing can be carried by Private Workplace Assessors (not part of TAFE system). The so called competency assessment can be a combination of oral, written and visual tests. Private Workplace Assessors are given general guidelines in the National Competency Standards but there is no set standard test or specific knowledge requirements. Once privately assessed as "competent" then the NSW Govt EPA Pest Control Licensing will issue a pest control licence to the individual. There is no published list of Private Workplace Assessors.. The System is Inadequate: Some Private Assessors offer a one week course. A person so issued with a pest control licence can set up a Pest Control business (not required to register with EPA Licensing Authority and employ many trainees, using pesticides in people's homes without direct personal supervision. FUMAPEST Setting the Standard in an industry plagued by fly-by-night operators, FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control stands out as a well established pest control business with excellent reputation in the market-place. Same Family Business • Since 1964 • Termite & Pest Control Specialists. |
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| FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control ... services we offer |
Commercial Food Premises • FUMAPEST Lake Macquarie Pest Control is compliant with Food Act NSW & HACCP requirements for commercial food handling premises in Lake Macquarie Council Region • restaurants • cafes • bakeries • backpacker hostels • child care centres • churches • factories • health care facilities • hospitals • hotels • motels • nursing homes • offices • racehorse stables • retirement villages • schools • colleges • veterinary clinics • other sensitive environments • click here for more details. Termite Control Specialists • AS.4349 Termite Inspection Reports • Termite Baiting • Termite Colony Elimination • Exterra termite bait • Nemesis termite bait • Sentricon termite bait • AS3660 Termite Preventive Barriers • Termiticides • Altriset • Termidor fipronil • Premise imidacloprid • click here for more details. KORDON Termite Barrier for Builders • Manufactured by Bayer Australia • FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control are Licensed KORDON Installers for building constructions in the Lake Macquarie Council Region • KORDON is CodeMark Accredited and meets Australian Building Code and Lake Macquarie Council termite control requirements for buildings under construction • a 10 year warranty applies backed by Bayer • click here for more details. Professionally Trained Technicians • The FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control Training Program regularly assesses and updates technician skills in the use of latest generation products and our EcoSafe Pest Control systems • all termite control technicians have the APCA or TAFE Pest Control Certificate • NSW Govt EPA Pest Control Licence • and many years field-work experience in termite control. |
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| FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control services the Lake Macquarie Council Region |
