Termite Pests

Subterranean (worker is about 6 mm and soldier 7 mm), drywood (adult reproductive 10 mm), and dampwood (soldier 15 mm)

	Termites are social and can form large nests or colonies, consisting of very different looking individuals (castes).
	Physically the largest individual is the queen. Her function is to lay eggs, sometimes thousands in a single day. A king is always by her side.
	Other individuals have large heads with powerful jaws, or a bulblike head that squirts liquid. These individuals are called soldiers.
	the largest group of termites in a colony is the workers. They toil long hours tending the queen, building the nest, or gathering food.

Subterranean Termites

There are more than 2,500 different types of termites in the world. However, most of this diversity can be lumped into four distinct groups: dampwood, drywood, subterranean, and mound builders. The common species in Hong Kong is Subterranean Termites

	Subterranean termites require moist environments. To satisfy this need, they usually nest in or near the soil and maintain some connection with the soil through tunnels in wood or through shelter tubes they construct.
	These shelter tubes are made of soil with bits of wood or even plasterboard (drywall).
	Much of the damage they cause occurs in foundation and structural support wood.
	Because of the moisture requirements of subterranean termites, they are often found in wood that has wood rot.

Life Cycle

Most termite species swarm in late summer or fall, although spring swarms are not uncommon for subterranean and drywood termites. New kings and queens are winged during their early adult life but lose their wings after dispersing from their original colony. An infestation begins when a mated pair finds a suitable nesting site near or in wood and constructs a small chamber, which they enter and seal. Soon afterward, the female begins egg laying, and both the king and queen feed the young on predigested food until they are able to feed themselves. Most species of termites have microscopic, one-celled animals called protozoa within their intestines that help in converting wood (cellulose) into food for the colony.

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Once workers and nymphs are produced, the king and queen are fed by the workers and cease feeding on wood. Termites go through incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and are the most numerous stage in the colony. They also groom and feed one another and other colony members.

Management

Successful termite management requires many special skills, including a working knowledge of building construction. An understanding of termite biology and identification can help a homeowner detect problems and understand methods of control. In most cases it is advisable to hire a professional pest control company to carry out the inspection and control program.

Management techniques vary depending on the species causing an infestation. Multiple colonies of the same species of termite or more than one species of termite can infest a building. Any of these variables will influence your control approach. Subterranean, and less frequently, dampwood termites can have nests at or near ground level, so control methods for these can be similar. However, drywood termites nest above ground, therefore the approach for eliminating them is unique.

(Western Subterranean Termite)

Controlling Subterranean Termites

Subterranean and dampwood termites in structures cannot be adequately controlled by fumigation, heat treatment, freezing, or termite electrocution devices because the reproductives and nymphs are concentrated in nests near or below ground level in structures out of reach of these control methods. The primary methods of controlling these termites are the application of termiticides or baiting programs.

Use of termiticides or baits should be supplemented with the destruction of their access points or nests. To facilitate control of subterranean termites, destroy their shelter tubes whenever possible to interrupt access to wooden substructures and to open colonies to attack from natural enemies such as ants. For dampwood termites, if infestations are small, destroy accessible nests by removing infested wood. Removing excess moisture from wood will also destroy dampwood termite nests.

Thorough inspection by using innovative detecting device

Termatrac- Termite Detecting Device

Termatrac is a breakthrough development in the detection of termites, invented and developed in Australia using technology similar to radar, Termatrac is the exciting answer to detecting termites through timber, plaster board, brick or masonry with no interference to the building material or termite activity. With no drilling, tapping or prodding, Termatrac is the answer to termite detection without termite defection! With Termatrac, the pest professional enjoys the advantage of accurate detection and customer peace of mind.

Termatrac, explained simply, emits signals which penetrate the material that is being searched. If these signals are interrupted by termite activity, the liquid crystal display will alert you to this activity. Termatrac relays this information to the operator, so that they can pinpoint the termites in an instant. Then you can:

	Track the extent of their activity without disturbances
	Track termites to entry point
	Locate nests via entry point
	Determine the most suitable treatment procedures

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Determine the most appropriate  treatment methods and chemicals

Premise® SC200 Termiticide by Bayer [HK Pesticide Reg. no. 2P256(SC)]

• Treatments that everyone can live with-except termites
• Effective treated zone
• Success without smell „«
• No odor and airborne residues
• Low risk

1. Killing- Premise® allows termites to enter the treatment zone, but after a short distance they are affected by the chemical and control is achieved immediately. They become disoriented and dysfunctional, stop feeding and are no longer able to coordinate their tunneling through the soil.
2. Prevention- Premise® continues to move slowly in the soil for several days after application, ensuring more even distribution. This will create a continuous barrier with no breaks and weak spots.

Premise® by Bayer (Application of Termiticide)

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Premise® is now registered for exterior perimeter termite treatments.

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Perimeter label allows you to focus your treatments where termite infestations are most likely to occur Less Intrusive. No inside treatments required unless there are active termite infestations found during inspection Less drilling required, compared to conventional treatments Less labor and chemical required Complete exterior perimeter treatment of the home required

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There¡¦s proof to back it up Bayer compiled research from 2003-2006 in over 3,000 structures in 22 states: Over 40 PMPs and 23 University Researchers participated in the study All termite species were represented Showed Premise provided greater than 98% control of termites.

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New Premise Perimeter Application for Termites <--------- Click here to learn more!

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Exterra - Termite Interception & Baiting System [HK Pesticide Reg. no. 2P281(P)]

The Exterra Termite Interception & Baiting System is designed to intercept foraging termites and to concentrate termite feeding in Exterra Stations. In-ground Stations containing timber interceptors are embedded in the soil around the perimeter of your building. These are inspected on a regular basis until termites are intercepted. At this point Exterra Requiem Termite Bait is added to the In-ground Station. Requiem is a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor. A key component of a termite¡¦s exoskeleton is the substance chitin. Without chitin termites cannot complete their natural moulting process. If they do not moult they die. This results in the elimination of the colony whilst avoiding the use of toxic chemicals in the environment. When the colony has been eliminated, the Requiem Termite bait is removed and fresh timber interceptors are placed in the Stations. These Stations continue to be monitored on a regular basis. Where termites are located feeding within your building(s), Above-ground Stations containing Requiem Termite Bait are installed. This may require inserting small screws and the creation of small access holes to enable termites to enter the Station. These Stations are removed once the colony has been eliminated, or if no feeding occurs. International studies have shown that Requiem has a very low level of mammalian toxicity, even at very high levels of exposure, so it does not pose any risk to you, your family, the environment or your pets. For your further security it is safely contained within tamper-proof Stations at all times.

Benefits

The Exterra Termite Interception & Baiting System eliminates the use of highly toxic dusts and large volumes of long-lasting soil termiticides traditionally used to form a chemical soil barrier around a property. Chemical soil barriers are intended to impede concealed termite entry into a building. They do not suppress or eliminate termite colonies. The termites remain and are still able to probe beneath the barrier looking for gaps to enter your building. Consequently these chemical barriers need to be complete and continuous. Yet forming a complete and continuous barrier around buildings is frequently impossible. Even if a complete and continuous barrier is achieved, termites can still bridge (cross-over) the barrier. Soil barriers may also be disturbed or washed away. And do you really want large volumes of toxic chemicals in the environment around your property anyway? The Exterra System offers you environmentally responsible termite management. • Firstly it can actually eliminate the termite colony. This removes the potential of the colony to attack your property. • A second very important advantage is the dramatic reduction in the amounts of toxic pesticides required for termite control when the Exterra System is used.

Limitations to the Exterra System

The Exterra System is a multi-step process that involves Station installation, termite interception and baiting. Exterra Requiem Termite Bait is applied in Stations only where termites are feeding. Exterra does not keep termites out of your property. Exterra manages your termite problem by eliminating termite colonies over time.

Time to Feeding

Variations exist in the amount of termite activity and number of termite colonies around different structures. For this reason, there is no defined period of time after the date of installation within which it can be guaranteed that termite feeding will commence in the Stations. Establishment of feeding in Stations can occur in as little as one week, but may take considerably longer. In some cases it may take many months. Only then is Requiem added.

Time for Colony Elimination

The colony may usually be eliminated within two to six months of commencement of feeding on the Requiem Bait. However it may take longer*. For this reason, there is no defined period of time within which it is guaranteed that the colony will be eliminated. Multiple termite colonies are sometimes present in the vicinity of a structure. In order to protect your property against termite attack, all the colonies must be eliminated. * Factors that affect the period of time to achieve colony elimination include: i) The presence of toxic chemicals from previous treatments . ii) The size of the termite colony. Larger colonies may take longer to eliminate. iii) The species of termites involved. iv) The time of year . v) The distance between your property and the termite colony. vi) The availability of alternative feeding sources. vii) Disturbance of the termites.

Future Termite Damage

During the time leading up to colony elimination, termites may continue to attack your property and cause further damage. Once termite feeding on the Requiem Termite Bait commences, it is usually observed that termites from that colony cease feeding on the timbers in your property.

**Reference sources: UC IPM Online

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Project involved in termites control



Walt Disney Imagineering Hong Kong- Provision of Termite Control to Pre- and Post-construction buildings.

In 2003, we are invited to quote the provision of Termite Control to Disney Hong Kong Project. After a set of restrict and careful assessment, we are finally be approved as the ONLY service provider to provide termite treatment services to different site areas in Penny's Bay.

Service areas include:

•	Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
•	Disney's Hollywood Hotel
•	Main Street
•	Tomorrowland
•	Space Mountain
•	Buzz Lightyear
•	Disney Storybook Theatre

Our success not only lays on our ability to show our professionalism but also:

•	We have long historical background (since 1947) in termite control management and professional technicians
•	Able to provide professional proposal and advice proactively
•	Able to prepare Method Statement in accordance with different situations and requirements
•	Choose the most safety approach and chemicals
•	Equip with high technology device