There are three types of termite treatment:
Eliminating active termites from buildings is the first step of any termite treatment and may involved the use of termite dusts, termite foams and termite baits. Although the key objective is to eliminate active termites from the building, pest managers should take every effort to locate and eliminate the termite nest. However, this is not always possible as they are generally well hidden.
Once the termites have been eliminated from the building, it is important to install a termite management system to prevent termites getting into the house without being noticed.
Termite baits
Termite baits are perhaps the smart and environmentally friendly way to eliminate and control termites. The termite baiting systems really only target termites and although they can take a few weeks to several months to eliminate a termite nest, they are the only proven technique to reliably destroy the nest, even when the nest cannot be located.
Termite soil treatments
Termite soil treatments are perhaps the tradition way to provide termite protection to existing buildings, with termiticide applied to the soil around and under buildings to protect hidden entry points from termites. There are two types of termiticide – repellent products which create a “barrier” around the building which repels termites and non-repellent products which actually kill the termites when they come into contact with the treated soil. Generally speaking the repellent products are cheaper but the non-repellent products are generally seen as more effective, especially when even and complete application cannot be guaranteed.
Insecticides resistance is observed in many insects where insecticide use has been widespread. But does it occur in termites? Here is the latest understanding of insecticide resistance in termites.
The articles below are more focused on general termite treatment information, termite products and termite treatment techniques. Go to the specific categories for articles on termite baiting, termite soil treatments and termite pre-construction treatments.
Alternatively go to our information pages on termites and termite treatments, or termite protection for new buildings and renovations.
John Ralph, Managing Director of Sherwood Chemicals Australasia, outlines the three major active ingredients that Sherwood has taken forward to formulate three highly effective termite control products.
We asked pest managers to tell us which termite management systems they used and why.
Could balsa join the ranks of timbers approved for use in Australian construction jobs? Researchers from the University of Tasmania test the timber against the destructive termite Coptotermes acinaciformis.
Subject to field evaluation by CSIRO since 1989, Kordon Termite Management System from Bayer is one of the most rigorously tested termite solutions on the market.
Timer pest inspectors should have a mental checklist to help them identify buildings where timber pest attack is likely.
Highly destructive drywood termites are not a frequent call-out for pest managers but are a species worth being knowledgeable about.
Termite baits are generally recognized as the most reliable method to achieve colony control, but what evidence is there that liquid soil treatments using a non-repellent insecticide can also deliver colony control?
Peter Brigden explains how TERM-seal’s range of products, including its Demise monitoring system, is well suited to post-construction termite jobs.
The AEPMA Codes of Practice for Termite Management offer pest managers several ways to set themselves apart from the competition.
Our Pest Pulse survey finds out which products pest managers turn to when they need to take control of an active termite infestation.
Locating a live nest and finding a termite queen is always a satisfying moment, so finding seven queens is something quite special!
Magnathor Magnetic bait is now registered for use against another key pest.