Colony Eradication
COLONY ERADICATION
Once termites are found to be active, TFN eradicates the colony either directly or by baiting.
Direct Eradication Method: TFN’s preferred method is to directly kill a colony. To do so TFN inspects all trees in the vicinty by drilling a small hole (harmless for the tree) into which a temperature probe is inserted to establish the presence of the termite queen.
Where the tree temperature is about 30-34c its likely a termite queen is actively reproducing. A tree’s lower temperature reading will verify that termites are just feeding on it, rather than the colony residing in it.
Indirect Eradication Method: Occasionally a colony cannot be located, in which case a Bait Trap is set. A Bait trap can be set inside the building where the active termites are currently feeding from or if you already have the TFN trap system installed the bait can be used directly on the active trap. Once the Bait Trap is installed the termites prefer to eat the bait rather than the timber they are feeding on. The bait is then carried back to the nest where it is fed to the entire colony completely eradicating the nest.
Using the described termite baiting system most colonies will be destroyed within 6-12 weeks (can take longer over the winter months). Note: Spraying will not eradicate a termite colony. It may mask the presence of the colony for a time, but unless the nest has been completely eradicated the termites will return.
I recently discovered white ants infesting a localised area (I thought) in one room against an outer brick wall. Then neighbours informed me that they had found white ants in an old dead tree trunk close to the fence line. Friends recommended Termite Free Naturally, I liked the sound of them because I do not want to be breathing chemicals or have damage to wooden floors, but must admit I was doubtful about the effectiveness of these methods. Within a few minutes of their arrival I felt totally relieved that my problem was in the hands of professionals who knew exactly what to look for. They were friendly and informative, and based their methods on a knowledge of the termites’ life cycle and behaviour. As well as my house, they searched my property and immediate neighbours’ properties, also street trees within several houses on both sides of my corner block, and found the main nest which they treated. They put several bait traps where they found evidence in my house for later testing, plus installed permanent bait traps around the oustside of my house. They have made appointments and inspected when they said they would, and I have signed up for ongoing inspections as it has relieved me of the worry.
Rae Marnham, Henley Beach
