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FUMAPEST Xterm Termite Baiting system
Professional Termite Control in the Southern Highlands Region - Since 1964 |
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Xterm Termite Bait is recommended where live termites are found in a building
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The FUMAPEST Xterm Termite Baiting System is highly effective for termite colony elimination, in situations where live termite activity is found in and around a building. Placement of the Xterm Termite Bait directly over such activity will allow the termites to readily feed on the bait. With sufficient dosage the colony will be eliminated. FUMAPEST often recommends and uses Xterm.
Xterm Termite Bait is registered by APVMA the Federal Government Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority. The Xterm Termite Baiting System system consists of (1) plastic stations (with timber therein) for in-ground installation around the exterior of a building and (2) above-ground containers (with bait therein) installed directly where live termites have been found.
EXTERM Termite Bait Works as an IGR Insect Growth Regulator
Xterm Termite Bait contains bistrifluron chemical - an IGR insect growth regulator and chitin synthesis inhibitor. Termites readily consume the bait and pass it to other termites in their mutual feeding and grooming process. The chemical prevents regrowth of the external skeleton and the termite dies as a result. Termites must regularly moult in their development from nymph to adult.
With a cascading lethal effect: The chemical prevents the termites from regrowing their external skeleton, resulting in the death of the termite. Termites cannibalize other dead termites thereby hastening the elimination of the entire colony.
Regular monitoring: The above-ground stations are checked at 2 to 3 week intervals to assess levels of bait consumption by the termites. The bait is replenished as required. With sufficient consumption the entire termite colony will be eliminated. Bear in mind, there is always the likelihood that other termite nests will infest the building.
CONSUMER ADVICE - Be careful of pest control companies selling any termite baiting system as a stand-alone "monitoring" system - whereby the termite stations (timber therein) are installed in the ground in the hope the termites will find the station. After that the termite bait is added. This strategy assumes the blind termites will "find" the monitoring stations, then and only then, is the bait added.
Many home-owners complain to us about such unscrupulous pest controllers. The home-owners were lead to believe the termite "baiting" and monitoring plastic stations included the termite bait upon installation. It doesn't. In fact, the bait is only added if the termites happen to find and infest the cellulose attractant tablets inside the in-ground stations. The termites may infest the building, long before blindly finding the in-ground stations around the perimeter of the building.
In-ground monitoring stations may be an option where a complete soil treatment to AS3660 is impracticable, such as, with a home built on sandstone (no soil thereunder) or a terrace attached in a row of joined terraces or a ferry wharf, where a complete soil treatment to AS.3660 cannot be carried out. Each case must be assessed on it's merits. |
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How does Xterm system work ?
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Above-ground baiting of live activity found: An excellent initial strategy whereby the Xterm termite bait is immediately placed into an above-ground station onto the spots where termites are found feeding. The Xterm Bait is highly attractive to destructive termite species. This means termites readily feed on the Xterm termite bait, taking it back to the central nest as part of their mutual feeding and grooming process.
The station must be inspected within two weeks after installation. To replenish bait, new Xterm bait block is placed in the bait station.
Termites cannot avoid what they cannot detect: Xterm is specially designed so that the IGR chemical cannot be detected by the termites. They do not know where the deadly effect is coming from. The insect growth regulator active ingredient - bistrifluron - also stops the termite colony being able to reproduce as the Queen termite becomes affected and dies. Xterm termite bait is replenished or refreshed periodically in order to facilitate bait uptake.
In-ground bait stations - if used should be regularly inspected for termite activity therein. Once feeding commences the bait should be replenished every 2 to 3 weeks. The termite colony loses whole generations of replacement members and gradually declines and finally collapses, particularly as the Queen is affected and dies.
The effects of the Xterm Termite Bait are visible and can be tracked with some degree of reliability. The termite’s natural habits, food preferences, energy saving and feeding behaviour are all used against the colony.
In-ground monitoring of termite activity: If live termites cannot be located, special in-ground monitoring stations can be placed either in the soil, through concrete or under pavement at strategically important points around a building. These stations can be inspected on a regular basis with the inspections tailored for intervals of approximately 2 to 3 months.
Regular inspections are essential: It is strongly recommended that regular 3 monthly or 6 monthly house inspections are also carried out by your pest controller if your house/property is assessed to be at moderate to high risk of a termite infestation.
Termite Monitoring: When the termite colony has been eliminated, the bait is removed and new timber inserts are put into place. The monitoring system then continues to provide an opportunity to detect termites foraging in the soil close to structures.
Several months to gain control ? Xterm termite baiting may take several months to completely eliminate a termite colony even in favourable circumstances. However, in ideal circumstances termite baiting can be reasonably expected to greatly reduce the rate of timber consumption by the termite colony within one month after the termites begin to consume the termite bait. With sufficient bait being consumed it is virtually certain the colony will be eliminated in the medium term, but not always.
Additional system features: The Xterm bait system features stations that are opened by a special tool. The active ingredient of the Xterm termite bait is securely contained below ground. The active ingredient has extremely low toxicity to humans and pets. The Xterm plastic station is especially designed low profile permanent fixture for insertion in concrete paths around the perimeter of a house.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Xterm
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Does the Xterm bait actually work? YES. Xterm baiting can be highly effective BUT only where a sufficient number of termites "find" and consume the bait. The system is preferred by some home-owners as the bait is of very low hazard to humans and other mammals and is an environmemtally friendly product.
Do I need to use a licensed pest controller? YES. The product is registered for use ONLY by State Govt licensed pest controllers. That person should have many years field-work experience in termite control and be professionally trained in related subjects, such as termite biology, ecology, building construction and associated likely termite entry points, termite detection and reporting, along with integrated termite management procedures. With so much at stake, the home-owner should NOT risk do-it-yourself amateur treatments or baiting for termites ... click here for more details.
What sort of harm can termites cause? This can vary greatly depending on the species of termites, the size of the colony, it's age and vigor as well as other factors, such as the availability of food sources. There are many other factors that can play a role in the speed of attack and the extent of damage. In many cases where attack is detected early, the cost of repairs is most often minimal. But the longer the infestation lasts, the greater the damage and cost of rectifying the problem, particularly if they get into the structural roofing timbers. Termites can also damage books, clothing and a wide range of other cellulose based items.
How often should my property be inspected? Australian Standard AS3660 advises that properties should be inspected at intervals of every 3 to 6 months in designated high risk situations and otherwise annually.
What is the average risk factor of termite attack and damage? Based upon industry and CSIRO studies, it appears about 1 in 3 houses will be attacked and/or damaged by termites during the economic life of the structure. Thus the risk usually increases with the age and location of the property. However, there have been cases of new homes being severely damaged within 3 months of construction.
What do I do if I find termites? Do NOT disturb them or attempt to treat them yourself with sprays or aerosols. Call in a professional pest controller. Disturbing the termites will most likely cause the foraging termites to avoid the immediate area and move to another area of the building where they may severely damage timbers before detection.
Are all termite species harmful to houses? No, there are more than 300 Australian termite species. A large number of these feed on grasses, standing trees or decayed timbers. In nature their role is to recycle important nutrients. Only about a dozen species common in urban areas will cause severe damage to timber structures. It is important that you engage a professional pest controller to inspect and assess the risk of termite infestation, integrated control methods and likelihood of success.
If I have disturbed active termites in my property what should I do? Try not to disturb them further. Try to collect 10 to 20 specimens, preferably termites with darker heads (these are soldier termites). Place these termites in a mixture of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water to preserve them for identification.
How long does it take for Xterm bait to kill the termite colony? This depends on many environmental variables, such as (1) the species of termite - some are very timid and will avoid a baiting location even if only mildly disturbed (2) the amount of termites that ingest the bait - if the baiting location has very few termites then effective baiting may not occur (3) the time of year - in a cold winter the termites may largerly hibernate. In ideal circumstances - the right species - warm weather - heavy feeding locations - it will likely take about 6 to 12 weeks. In any case, in vast majority of cases of termites in a building, it is virtually impossible to accurately verify total colony elimination if the nest is hidden underground and totally out of sight. However, substantial bait depletion (feeding) and affected sickly termites being observed and recorded by the pest controller will increase confidence that there has been a decline in colony numbers of worker termites (they do the damage) to reduce severe on-going damage to the building.
Will placing Xterm In-Ground Stations around my house perimeter be more likely to attract termites to my house? NO. The in-ground stations contain timber slats. The Xterm termite bait is added after the termites "find" the stations and infest the timber therein. Termites cannot smell the timber hidden in the soil. Termites randomly forage through the soil looking for new food sources. The Xterm in-ground stations may allow existing termite activity to be detected and thereafter a baiting process can commence. Bear in mind, there may be other unaffected subterranean termite colony nests within range of your building. |
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WARNING: The NSW WorkCover Pest Control Licensing is INADEQUATE |
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Be Careful in selecting a Pest Controller • Unfortunately - it is far too easy to get a NSW Government WorkCover issued pest control licence and start up a Pest Control business in NSW with little knowledge or experience in providing safe and effective pest control services • click here for more details.
The NSW Pest Control Licensing system is subject to National Competency Assessment guidelines. Mediocre testing can be carried by Private Workplace Assessors (not part of TAFE system). The so called competency assessment can be a combination of oral, written and visual tests ie maybe 1% in writing.
Private Workplace Assessors are given general guidelines in the National Competency Standards but there is no set standard test or specific knowledge requirements. Once privately assessed as "competent" then the NSW WorkCover Pest Control Licensing will issue a pest control licence to the individual. There is no published list of Private Workplace Assessors so it is difficult to gauge the extent of the problem.
The System is Inadequate: Some Private Assessors offer a one week course. A person so issued with a pest control licence can set up a Pest Control business (not required to register with WorkCover) and employ an unlimited number of trainees, using pesticides in people's homes without direct personal supervision.
FUMAPEST Setting the Standard in an industry plagued by fly-by-night operators, FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control stands out as a well established pest control business with excellent reputation in the market-place.
FUMAPEST Same Family Business Since 1964 • Safe Effective Service • Termite & Pest Control Specialists in the Southern Highlands region • Domestic & Commercial Premises. |
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FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control ... services we offer |
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