Termite Management

On the Australian mainland one in every 5 homes have seen some form of pressure or attack from termites. It is normal for termites to be establishing new colonies regularly or existing colonies to be seeking new food sources. Therefore, it is likely they may eventually invade your property, causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage.

Termite Monitors

Termite monitors are part of Austrapest’s Integrated Termite Management (IPM) system. They can be an early warning system. Once installed, termite monitors can be checked by the home’s owner as a DIY approach or checked regularly by your local Austrapest termite expert.  Monitors can be also used as part of an active baiting program, to monitor the ingress of termite activity, where termites are most active, to build up activity to make other treatment more successful.

Monitors will have minimal disturbance for termites - if termites sense danger or interference they may go underground again and may attack the home through an alternative, undetectable route.

Monitoring stations with termite attractive timbers used in conjunction with baits such as Insect growth regulators (IGRs) can achieve colony elimination often where the colony cannot be located.

There are a variety of termite monitoring systems Austrapest can suggest to the home owner. Austrapest is a registered installer of Exterra, Nemesis, Xterm or Sentricon as they are designed specifically for termite interception and have a high record of efficacy.

Safer Termite Baiting Practices

Since its inception, termite baiting and monitoring programs have been central to Austrapest’s integrated and environmentally responsible approach to termite management. While chemical treated soil zones are valid, options they rely on the use of a large amount of liquid chemicals.

Baiting and monitoring systems for many people are the preferred approach as less chemicals are used making it a more environmentally friendly approach

How Termite Baiting Works

Termite Monitoring and Baiting Systems are designed to intercept foraging termites and concentrate their feeding in stations. Termites are attracted with the non-toxic timbers they prefer to eat. Once termites are established in a station, active bait which only targets termites is then applied to sealed stations. Termites take the product back to their nest, resulting in the elimination of the colony while avoiding the use of more toxic chemicals in the environment.

Installation of Baiting and Monitoring Systems are less disruptive for the home owner than installing a complete chemical treated soil zone especially when it comes to trenching and drilling of concrete. However baiting systems rely on follow up visits for re-baiting and monitoring termite stations by your qualified Austrapest technician. When the colony has been eliminated, bait is removed and fresh timber interceptors are replaced in the stations. These stations continue to be monitored by an Austrapest technician on a regular basis.

Exterra

Austrapest is a registered installer of the Exterra termite management system. This system has proven effectiveness in solving termite infestations, and is one of our management systems of choice. In line with our company policy to minimise our environmental impact, Exterra has partnered with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in securing vital habitat for Australia’s threatened wildlife species. With every Exterra system installed Austrapest’s clients support threatened wildlife species.

Dusting Method/ Treated zone

Colony elimination using termiticide dust, baiting or foaming. Austrapest's pest inspection, report and proposal are the first step in colony elimination. Australian Standards 3660.2 states that in cases where active termites are present and where possible, a method of colony eradication should be used prior to the installation of a chemical treated zone, such as termiticide dusting. This is not a “stand alone” method and needs to be followed through after a few weeks with a follow up inspection, dusting again if active termites are still present, and with a continuous soil treated zone such as BASF Termidor Residual Termiticide (Fipronil) or Bayer Premise (Imidacloprid).

Baiting or foaming can also be used for colony elimination. As part of our recommended action plan or more complete treatment we may offer an option to dust the active termites. Dusting active termites is a highly skilled approach which exploits termites natural grooming and cannibalism of dead termites. The dust particles are passed on to other termites or taken back to the nest. The aim is to destroy the colony.

Austrapest only uses products approved by the APVMA (Australian Pharmaceutical Veterinary Medicines Authority). We also like to use R & D companies as they offer scientific advice or back up should it be needed. The products we use are safe to the occupants, pets and the environment. While the chemical treated zone is a single application, it is important to follow up with a regular inspection 6 months later in accordance with the Australian Standard 3660.2 then at regular 6-12 month intervals as recommended by Austrapest professional Pest Managers.