Termite Bait Station
Termites are as small as ants born on wood, feed on wood, reproduce on wood and end in death on wood. Termites are of ¼ and ½ sized insects considered most devastating threat to urban areas due to their high infestation in residential wood, areas, structure and foundation of buildings by making galleries, underground tunnels and laying eggs.
Termites are the major group of invertebrates belonging to group insects and the order Isoptera (Iso= same, ptera=wings). They found most probably in tropical, subtropical areas and temperate zones. Termites are social insects, having caste system in their family that consists on reproductive individual, workers and swarmer. Termites can travel 130 feet from their colony for discovering food and release chemical trails for others to follow.
According to their habitat there are two most common types one is dry wood termite and second is subterranean termite. Dry wood termite colonies are smaller and do not require as much contact with soil as subterranean termites and later galleries might be circulating all over the house.
Termite Life Cycle
Life cycle begin when reproductive individual or king and queen land on ground and searching for a suitable place to initiate their colony. Adult size is ½ to 1 inch with fully developed eyes, mandibles, membranous wings and need only one-sixty-fourth inch hole to enter in their home. Termite workers and soldiers are physically and sexually immature males and females. Workers are responsible for searching food for colony and ability to digest cellulose in wood and soldiers are bust to protect their colony.
Termite wings, bubbling wallpaper, buckling wood, swollen floor and ceiling, visible maze in furniture and walls, termite droppings look like sawdust are major sings of termite infestation at any area.
The best way to avoid termite is to inspect your property on periodic basis. Inspection may be done by using good flashlight, examine foundation walls, holes or cracks in floor and near pipeline and determine all entry points.
Liquid termiticide
Liquid termiticide has been the standard termite treatment as pre-construction and post-construction till present. But with time and advancement of technology termite baiting system to treat termite infestation has emerged with full power. Termite baiting system is more economical, easy, reliable, environment friendly long-lasting way than chemicals. After successful trail in Pakistani environment Urban Pest Management has successfully launched it nationwide and being used as termite treatment.
Termite bait station monitoring
In termite bait station monitoring and bait cartridges are used. Monitoring bait station are used only to detect the activity and level of termite infestation as they consist of only cartridges i.e. wooden box, place it on infected or on suspected area and inspect it after one week. While in termite bait station bait i.e. food and chemical mostly IGR is assembled in cartridges. This trait allows slow acting toxicants to transferred to the colony, allow termite to feed and then travel back to their nest. IGR’s disturb termite activity by forcing them to speed up molting process, eventually kill the affected termites. Baits are ideal for all situations, even those sensitive to insecticide use.
Termite baiting system categorized as above ground (AG) and in ground (IG) baiting devices on the basis of location placement.
Above Ground (AG) baiting system
Above Ground (AG) baiting system use above ground delivery system for elimination of termite colonies. Before placing the Above Ground bait station, it is important to determine the location of termite infestation and this is done by inspection and installing monitoring cartridges. Station must be placed on wall, screws can also be used to provide extra hold on wall if it is necessary and near areas or where termite activity is observed. Once site has been confirmed then remove plastic film from bait, add 25 ml water with disposable syringe and place it in station with the help of double tape. Ensure that the bait station is firmly held in place.
1st Inspection of above ground (AG) termite bait station is done within one week after installation. If feeding is observed then add 2nd bait cartridge there but if not observed, then first examine the bait condition if tablets are dry add some water before re-seal and re-inspect within four weeks and if bait condition is good then relocate the station. Inspect the station on set periodic time and in case termite activity ceased, carefully remove station from site, dispose it and replace with monitoring cartridge.
In ground (IG) baiting stations
In ground (IG) stations are installed in ground near foundation walls, woodpiles, tree stumps and should be installed at 3-meter intervals. First dug a suitable sized hole and place station with monitoring cartridge around the structure. Initial inspection should be made within 4 weeks and if if hit by termites, place the bait within station and activity should be monitored according to schedule. Inspection interval will depend on termite activity and bait consumption rate. Bait should be consumed within 6 weeks after placement of IG bait station. When first bait cartridge is 60% consumed and termites are still actively feeding then place second cartridge in bait station. Once it is confirmed that termite activity is ceased, remove and dispose the bait cartridges and replace with the monitoring one.
URBAN PEST MANAGEMENT PAKISTAN
