DIY Termite Monitoring System

About DIY Termite Monitors

There are many Termite monitoring products on the market. All rely on being attractive to foraging subterranean termites.

DIY Termite monitors are truly unique and use science and nature to give them a distinct edge over the many products available.

What makes the DIY Termite monitors the most innovative is;

• The size of the monitor in the zone most likely to be attacked by termites.
• The use of polystyrene foam to present to termites as a larger object than even 'it's size' would suggest. The most important species of termites seek large food sources and the DIY Termite monitor tricks termites into thinking that the monitor is just that.
• Research in recent years shows that subterranean termites are attracted to fungi. The polystyrene foam grows fungi and fungi is a part of the termites diet.
• Our installation requires soil replacement with top grade top dressing soil. Many other products are placed in existing soil which termites stay away from. The top dressing soil contains nutrients which are attractive to foraging termites.

Bait Monitors

Traditional methods have involved placing chemical barriers around the property. These chemical barriers are designed to deter termites from entry into the house structure. They deteriorate over time and if not replenished every 3-5 years, result in gaps appearing in the barrier that will be found by the termites, thus rendering it useless. Chemical barriers also do not get to the heart of the threat, the nest, hence ensuring colony survival and constant threat to your property continues. Furthermore, chemical barriers do not provide the opportunity for ongoing monitoring.

Bait monitors are a unique method that doesn't entail spraying chemicals or involve extensive digging. They and are a bit like traps and contain timber pieces surrounding polystyrene foam as the attractant. They are set up in places of likely infestation to alert homeowners and inspectors of termite presence. They provide a method of determining the presence of termites, an easy identification of the species, and sites where termite activity is present so that an eradication treatment may be carried out.

Bait monitors are strategically installed around your property to help detect termite activity, then checked periodically. Wherever termite activity is found, the monitoring devices in the stations will be replaced with termite bait or treated with chemical foaming. Termites ingest the bait/ chemical foaming and carry it to the colony where they share it with other termites, which may lead to its eventual destruction. Once a colony is eliminated or controlled, monitoring will continue to protect your home against new termite activity.

Inspections of the bait monitors should be carried out at approximately 6 weekly intervals and if termite activity is discovered in the bait monitors, then ring us to inspect the bait monitors and treat as necessary. If any activity is found within the Building, then specific above ground stations are placed at the site of the activity. These stations are always baited and are available from us.

Monitoring and Baiting

With the advent of new materials, it is possible to effectively eradicate termite colonies using the monitoring and baiting process.

Timber species

The timber species used for bait monitors are determined by the species of termite. Generally pine timbers, with the exception of native cypress pines, are favoured by Coptotermes spp. and Schedorhinotermes spp. Nasutitermes spp. avoid most pine timbers, but favour hard woods. Mountain ash (Tasmanian oak) is an attractive bait monitor timber for the most often encountered pest species of termites. Douglas fir (Oregon), radiata pine, hoop pine and bunya pine, particularly their sapwood, have been used successfully for Coptotermes spp. and Schedorhinotermes spp. but they are not suitable for Nasutitermes exitiosus.

Placement of monitoring and baiting stations

The monitors are placed in the ground at strategic locations, based on the expected pattern of attack. Sometimes the suspect colony occurs in a neighbouring property, where access is not granted. In such cases the monitors are placed between the nest and the activity in the building. They are usually placed vertically in the soil, at a depth of about 300mm and along the drip line of the residence at no more than 1 metre apart.

They can be placed around the residence to provide a complete ring and in that situation are usually placed approximately three metres apart.

Treatment

Once attacked, and containing a significant number of termites, the monitor may be treated with termite bait/ chemical foaming or transferable dust. This is administered carefully into the infested timber with minimal disturbance to the termite activity within the monitors. The termite bait/chemical foaming/dusting must be applied by a licensed operator. Contact a pest professional from our accredited network, go to: www.diytermites.com.au

Regular Competent Inspections

Regardless of the system used, regular inspections carried out by an appropriately licensed contractor from 'Our company' should be carried out to ensure that there is no ongoing termite activity inside the house.

It is recommended inspections be carried out at least every 12 months according to AS3660 recommendations but sooner if there are conditions that could assist termite entry. A termite inspection provides information to the homeowner on established or possible termite, borer and decay problems. An authorised Technician will inspect your premises thoroughly through the Roof Void (if accessible), Subfloor (if accessible), Interior, Exterior, Garage, Out Buildings, Fences and Grounds.

The report is approximately 10 pages and contains a brief description on the property, the areas we inspected, presence or absence of termites, the presence or absence of borers and wood decay, details of potential problems, remedial action which is necessary and costs associated with any work which we recommend.

While inspections are the key, the continued existence of the particular firm that carried out your work is equally important. Firms will not warrant work carried out by someone else. Take care to select a company that has been in existence for at least 5 years. Our track record, gained by our active involvement in the industry since 1966, is difficult to surpass. There are many imitators but most fail to deliver.

Warranties and/or Guaranties

Due to the nature of the monitoring systems, no warranties or guaranties can be offered by your licenced pest professional whether in whole or in part, expressed or implied in relation to any/all aspects of termite activity. In the event of any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this agreement, it will be settled by arbitration, in accordance with the rules of the institute of Arbitrators Australia. Any judgments from such arbitration shall be binding upon both parties.