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

Reticulitermes soldier-photo captured by William of Johnson Group

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What is termite?

Like other insects, termites have six legs and a body divided into three main parts i.e. Head, Thorax and Abdomen. A pair of straight antennae is situated on the head. People always confuse termites with ants because of their somewhat similar appearance. The simple ways to distinguish termites from ants is that, termites have straight bead-like antennae and an abdomen that is broadly joined at the thorax; Ants in contrast, have elbowed antennae and a petiole (waist), which is constricted. Winged ants have differently-sized fore and hind wings while termites have same-sized fore and hind wings.

Termites colonies contain distinct types of castes (individuals) that differ in both form and function i.e. Reproductives, workers and soldiers. Termites shed their skin (molt) periodically in order to grow. Termites can consume a wide assortment of cellulose foods including living and dead wood, roots, grass, paper, cardboard, fiberboard and other plant-based materials. Mature colonies of Reticulitermes and Coptotermes are more likely to be decentralized entities occupying multiple nesting or foraging sites, interconnected by an extensive network of underground tunnels.

This is hard to quantify the size and foraging range of termites. A large colony contained about 1-7 million foragers and could travel distance up to 100m. A small colony contained only 55000 individuals and occupied foraging areas less than 20 meter square.

If you ask "How long termites have been infesting my structure?", we can answer you only "They seem to have been there for a period of years.". The rate and extent of structural damage depends on many factors and conditions like food types, moisture content and also the amount of competing food sources, it is extremely hard to predict with confidence how long an infestation has been present. However, some studies show a large colony could consume 0.5-1 kg of wood each day.

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.

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.

Common termites groups

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 termites, drywood termites, subterranean termites, and mound builders. The common species in Hong Kong is Formosan Subterranean Termites.

Subterranean Termites

Formosan Subterranean Termites-photo captured by William of Johnson Group

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 or inside home, they are often found in wood floor, wood flames or wood furniture closed to restroom, bathroom, kitchen or window.

Dampwood Termites

          Wood buried in ground with high in moisture

Dampwood termites only infest wood with high moisture content. Dampwood termites nest in wood buried in the ground, although contact with the ground is not necessary when infested wood is high in moisture. Because of their high moisture requirements, dampwood termites most often are found in cool, humid areas like flowerbeds and are typical pests of beach houses. Infestations in structures usually occur where wood is wetted by moisture leaks. Structures, utility poles, pilings, and lumber exposed to high moist soil and humidity are subject to attack. 

Dampwood termites are noticeably larger than subterranean termites. Winged reproductives typically swarm between July and October, but it is not unusual to see them at other times of the year. Dampwood termite winged reproductives (sometimes called swarmers) are attracted to lights. Dampwood termites produce distinctive fecal pellets that are rounded at both ends, elongate, and lack the clear longitudinal ridges common to drywood termite pellets.

Drywood Termites

                 (Photo captured by William of Johnson Group)                                                            

Drywood termites are so-named because they live entirely in dry, sound wood. They are well adapted to withstand environmental extremes in both moisture and temperature. Drywood termites colonies are small in comparison to subterranean termties, containing perhaps a few thousands individuals. Drywood termites infest dry, undecayed wood, including structural lumber as well as dead limbs of native trees and shade and orchard trees, utility poles, posts, and lumber in storage. From these areas, winged reproductives seasonally migrate to nearby buildings and other structures usually on sunny days during fall months.

Drywood termites have a low moisture requirement and can tolerate dry conditions for prolonged periods. They remain entirely above ground and do not connect their nests to the soil. Piles of their fecal pellets, which are distinctive in appearance, may be a clue to their presence. The fecal pellets are elongate (about 3/100 inch long) with rounded ends and have six flattened or roundly depressed surfaces separated by six longitudinal ridges.

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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.

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.

Why Johnson Group

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With more than 60 years proven track records, Johnson Group is definitely the pioneer of termite control provider within the industry. We're the first pest management company introduces "Termatrac"- the microwave detecting device. Besides, Johnson Group is the only company offers Borescope Termite Inspection as a standard inspection procedure and requires no additional costs from clients.

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Service scopes

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1. Eliminate existing termite colonies by either liquid termiticides or termite baits, or combinations of both.

2. Create an effective barrier and protective zone from future invasion.

3. Protect wood made items from termite attack.

Thorough inspection by using innovative inspection devices

MIGS Portable Video Borescope- Borescope termite inspection

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Equipped with CMOS image sensor, 3.5" TFT LCD monitor,  10 meters length 5.5mm diameter probes, MIGS borescope gives enough flexibility to use for various inspection needs.

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With the help of MIGS borescope, our technicians can perform all inspection jobs that  other companies cannot. The palm-sized MIGS MONITOR TYPE BORESCOPE is equipped with an LED light source, TFT display, camera and recorder, it can let you SEE THROUGH what is actually moving underneath the floor and walls.

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Borescope termite inspection enable our technicians to see into areas that are otherwise inaccessible for visual inspection. Our trained professionals use this device to pinpoint the source of termite infestation and entry point points into a structure, such as mud shelters adhering to the underside of a filled porch or raised wooden floor, or termite activity behind finished walls.

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Typically, a hole (~5mm) is drilled and the optical lens is inserted into the desired viewing areas. The 10 meters long optical cable allows viewing of the immediate area around the point of insertion or up to a distance of 10 meters long.

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(MIGS Monitor Type Borescope)

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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Termiticides to be used

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Bayer Premise® SC200 liquid termiticide

HK Pesticide Reg. no. 2P256(SC)

Advantages

• Treatments that everyone can live with-except termites (the active ingredient Imidacloprid has very low mammalian toxicity to humans and other warm-blooded animals).„«

• Termites do not detect imidacloprid and will freely tunnel into treated soil/wood. However, they soon stop feeding, become disoriented, sluggish and eventually die.„«

• Termites exposed to imidacloprid-treated materials can transfer lethal concentrations to unexposed nestmates.

• Success without smell, No odor and airborne residues

Why Premise

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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Dustmitex™ - a borate based liquid termiticide for wood treatment

HK Pesticides Reg. No. 2P297 SP

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Advantages

• Borates are inorganic minerals mined from naturally formed deposits in the earth.

• Active ingredient is Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), commonly used foe most wood treatments.

• Borates cause mortality in termites by interfering with digestion. Borates also are toxic to many species of wood-destroying insects and fungi, and unless exposed to constant rewetting, maintain their preservative qualities for decades.

• They are non-staining, odorless, and low in mammalian toxicity (about the same as table salt).

Why borate based liquid termiticide

1. Subterranean termites have a difficult time penetrating through or tunneling over wood surfaces treated with borate.

2. High mortality and feeding deterrence occurs when termites attempt to penetrate the surface of borate-treated wood.

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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.

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(Borescope enable inspectors to view termite activity behind finished walls)

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Termatrac

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(2 foot * 1 foot nest- taken from a commercial building in 2009)

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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

**Reference sources: UC IPM Online