Termites
Are they on the move and out of control or do we have the expertise to keep up, using NEW TECHNOLOGY?

by CHRIS E LANGLEY
(Termite Consultant)
(Decay, Ventilation etc.)

THE FACTS

A survey of termite infestations in 1953 to houses of the suburban Sydney area revealed 2% - 3% of the houses had current termite attack or termite history. Between 1953 and 1983 there has been a reliance on chemical barriers to afford property protection and not a seeking out the termite colony. Another survey of Scientists of the Forestry Commission of New South Wales in 1981 - 1983 revealed that 20% of houses, mainly in suburban Sydney, sustained current termite attack or had a termite history.

This significant increase leaves little doubt that the percentage today could have been even higher than 20%. A termite infestation is almost an everyday occurrence to at least one of the pest control companies that operate, particularly during their annual and pre-purchase inspections.

A BREAKTHROUGH:

Where termites are infesting their detection was often confined to buildings with little attention given to finding the colony. A tree, stump, fencing or landscaping material sometimes provided visual evidence of termite presence but often overlooked during an inspection. Unfortunately there was no way of accurately determining termite activity in concealed walls and ceilings and this led to exclusions in inspection reports. The client relied on the alertness and professionalism of the pest control operator. A chemical treatment of the soil and areas of the house was not directed to the centre of the termite colony which often resided on a tree or stump.

For the past few years a group of technical people have been working on the location and treatment of termite colonies in trees, but their new methods developed for the control of colonies in trees and stumps does not relieve the anxiety experienced by pest control inspectors, during annual and more importantly pre-purchase inspections.

The Group, consisting of two scientists, namely Phil Hadrington and Ted Taylor, Fred Burke an Engineer and myself, have also been working on a means of detecting termite activity in walls and other areas where termite inspections often do not reveal activity. The new technology involving equipment and techniques has application in the field, and has given the pest operator access to specialised tools of trade that will enhance the quality and accuracy of their inspections, particularly when they base some anxiety in respect of a building.

EQUIPMENT- TECHNIQUES:

The Temperature Probe-

This apparatus is essential for most trees, has a sensor located on the end of a fine, plastic covered wire and connects to a small digital display recorder. The length of the probe is about 50cm and is sufficient for most trees which are drilled to locate the colony. Extensions exist for larger diameter trees.

By noting the variable temperatures inside trees from holes drilled by trained operators it is possible to locate the centre or near centre of the concealed nest which is crucial for a successful treatment.
The use of an insecticidal dust has given 100% control in all trees testedin the experimental work submitted by The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association for approval by the Department of Agriculture of New South Wales under provisions of the Pesticides Act.

The Dust (25.75gms PERMETARIN = COOPEX)- previously liquids were used when the nest was located and these results varied from success to failure. Environmental issues have placed restrictions on previously available chemicals. There is growing opposition to the use of previously accepted chemicals, often used in unnecessarily large volumes in trees and stumps.

It was found that a more effective treatment was to dust the undisturbed nest in such a manner as to ensure thorough distribution and the minimum use of chemical, which is more environmentally acceptable. The insecticidal dust selected to fit the properties which were required was PERETHRIN. It?s extremely low mammalian toxicity made it attractive and it proved to be totally effective as a termiticide. It does not rely on termites tracking it back to the nest and it's formulation is ideal for dusting under high pressure. Its effectiveness depends on the location of the colony.

The dust, 250grams for each treatment of a tree or stump, was introduced, through 3 - 4 carefully selected drill holes uniformly located around the nest, from a trigger gun with metal bowl, connected to a pressure regulator. A 600mm metal tube (10.. diameter) enables the dust to be placed at variable depths in each hole. Using carbon dioxide with the pressure regulator, gave greater control of the dust and no reliance on a power source, giving the equipment total portability. Carbon Dioxide in this form also gave up to 3 times more propellant than air type cylinders. After treatment the holes were always sealed using an acrylic caulking compound.

The time taken to temperature test, locate the nest, apply the dusting treatment and fill in the holes is estimated at 30 - 45 minutes. A tree with only one return visit of 15 - 25 minutes for a temperature check that should confirm success.

Fresh with the present success of the group's new technology and methods of detection and treatment of termite colonies in trees, the team have turned their attention to detection of termites in buildings. Equipment that was available has now been adopted to this new application while others had to be developed.

The Moisture Meter- has been used extensively in the building industry. The installation of underfloor ventilators by pest control operators has been a procedure often done during the less active winter months. However, ventilation work is not fully understood by most of those in the Pest Control Industry. It is sold as a control or reduction in dampness to subfloor areas which usually results in fungal decay and is an attraction for subterranean termites. Prong type meters have been improved with non-damaging electro rubber pads ie. 'Tramex Moisture Encounter'. These demonstrate to the client and confirm the pest control operators diagnosis of the need to improve sub-floor ventilation.

Dampness in buildings is an industry in itself and more training courses which deal with the many forms of dampness, will in the future, allow the pest control operator to provide the client with technical details when carrying out inspections, especially pre-purchase inspections.

The 'Tramex Moisture Encounter' has 3 main functions:-

1. Higher than normal moisture retention of timber.

2. Detecting moisture retention to gyprock and fibro walls.

3. Detection of rising/lateral damp in brick, plaster or masonry.

Functions 1 & 3 are apparent but it is function 2 where moisture meters can greatly assist in locating termite activity concealed in gyprock, timber or fibro wall linings. A dry reading on an unaffected wall can be used as a guide when testing for higher moisture content that will direct the operator to areas where damage has occurred. This results in considerable time saved and minimises building disturbance when seeking out termites, carrying out treatment or undergoing repairs.

A moisture meter will become an important tool of trade along with the pest control operator?s torch for inspections and the investigation of buildings suspected to have termites, but whose
activities are not obvious.

The Termite Sound Detector- It has long been known that clients report hearing termite activity and pest control operators have employed the use of manual stethoscopes to assist them. Now there is an electronic device. This electronic 'stethoscope' enables the operator to hear what is happening inside the wall cavity, in the ceiling and those difficult locations which are hard to reach and see and encountered during inspections. While it is accepted that some people have little difficulty in hearing termites going about their activities, a device such as the electronic 'stethoscope' will enable trained pest control operators to pick up the various sounds, interpret them, and in doing so, provide their clients with a more efficient service, which at the same time reduces the operators margin of error on an inspection, particularly where there is some anxiety of possible termite presence.

The electronic 'stethoscope' comprises an acoustic flat probe unit using a microphone tip, the electronic 'bits' and a pair of standard stereo headphones. The probe unit is arranged to make contact with the wall, ceiling or timber panelling being examined and is coupled to the electronics which are housed in a separate and adjustable box, via flexible leads. The coupling provides an acoustic path to the microphone in the probe.

The unit is fully powered by internal batteries as portability is a necessary requirement. Headphones are used rather than having a loudspeaker output as they reduce ambient sounds which in some situations make listening to a speaker impossible as well as enabling the operator to concentrate on the sounds picked up by the electronic 'stethoscope'.

SUMMARY AND THE FUTURE

Out time, research and development that the? team has devoted to the location, detection and subsequent treatment of termites is anticipated only to be of assistance to the pest control industry. It is now for the industry to evaluate these ideas and methods to their advantage and to provide an industry, not content to rest on past methods, with new technology.

To this end and in the near future there will be training field days, designed to demonstrate a combined application of these new techniques in termite control. Practical guidance will be available to those in the industry who still strive to improve their technical skills and service.

Phil Hadlington is being assisted by a small research group to prepare 2 termite video tapes for the pest control industry.

They are:-

1. A general termite video of about one hour duration, showing damage, biology, nesting habits and colony location.

2. A video on tree colonies showing outward manifestations. Where to drill, temperature procedures, where and how to administer dusts and the temperature results at treatment time and one and two weeks later will be featured. Sealing of the drilled holes is also covered as well as the correct tools designed to damage the tree as little as possible.