a) The termites are disturbed as little as possible.

b) A significant amount of timber is present for dusting.

c) A large number of termites are dusted.

d) No major termite leads are broken or disturbed.

With these criteria in mind, TASTEE Termite Baits were developed.

The TASTEE Termite Bait unit is a winged termite bait station consisting of a large section of uncontaminated timber, called the bait and a sheet of uncontaminated plywood called the wing. In the top of the bait a hole has been drilled. This is the observation channel which has been fitted with a cork.

bait1

The wing of plywood serves to increase the chances of the termite subterranean galleries locating the bait. Once the termites hit the wing they will track along the wing to the bait. The size of the timber section used in TASTEE Termite Baits is larger than timbers used previously for similar baiting methods. These larger timber sections allow for more termites to be active within the bait once it is attacked.

Hence at the time of arsenic dusting a greater number of termites may be dusted and carry the dust back to the colony. These factors greatly increase the chances of success of the arsenic dust treatment.

The arsenic dust usually takes one to three weeks to eradicate the entire colony depending on the activity of the colony and the number of termites dusted.

Possible Scenarios for the use of TASTEE Termite Baits

1. Attack to the front of the house. Species Coptotermes acinaciformis. Colony present in the root crown of one of two large eucalypts. TASTEE Termite Baits could be placed around the trees as shown.

bait2

2. House is slab-on-ground construction with attack to the rear of the house. The adjacent bushland is inaccessible but is thought to be the site of the suspected colony. Species is identified as Coptotermes frenchi. TASTEE Termite Baits could be installed around the garden facing towards the neighbouring bushland, as shown.

bait3

When to use ‘TASTEE Termite Baits’

These bait units can be used wherever termites are active or thought to be active. Their placement in the soil can serve as:

1) A monitor for termite activity in a particular area.

2) A site for arsenic dust treatment of termite activity.

In the event that a colony cannot be located or is inaccessible, then placement of TASTEE Termite Baits can provide sites for effective arsenic dust treatment of the colony. As the name suggests, they are ambush stations which can serve as treatment sites once they are attacked. With competent arsenic dust treatment the eradication of the termite colony is possible. Where the baits have been attacked and the arsenic dust treatment has been successful then the termites will leave the site and activity will cease. Once this has occurred the treated baits can be removed and replaced with new baits to monitor any new or renewed activity. In areas where termite activity is suspected then suitably placed baits can serve to evaluate the potential danger of termite attack.

TASTEE Termite Baits in no way serve as a protection against termite attack to buildings or property. The wood used in the manufacture of these baits does not contain chemicals. The baits are an aid to the detection and treatment of termite activity. If used correctly and dusted by a competent pest control operator, the successful elimination of the attacking termite colony is possible. However, guarantees with respect to the success of the arsenic dust treatments are the responsibility of the attending pest control operator.

TASTEE Termite Baits are available from selected Pest Control Suppliers. Any questions regarding these termite bait stations are most welcome.