The Asian Subterranean Termites (AST) has been present in Labasa for some time now; hence, it is not a recent outbreak.

This was confirmed by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) chief executive officer Hillary Kumwenda.

He said BAF has been involved over the past few years in an AST containment program in Labasa.

“BAF is currently taking the lead role in the AST containment project whereby it inspects and treats the sites infested by AST and further monitors infestation after treatment,” Mr Kumwenda said.

“BAF is currently conducting treatment of infested sites (houses, dwellings, trees and many more) which have been reported through the complaints registered at our Labasa Office.

Once the initial treatments are conducted then BAF conducts monitoring on a monthly basis to simply ensure that all AST infestation and risk is eliminated from every concerned site.”

“Furthermore, as a proactive approach to contain the termite AST infestation within the infested localities, BAF prohibits any movement of termite AST host materials without BAF’s prior approval and consent,” he said.

“If a member of the public is caught violating the procedures then fines and penalties may be applied.

Currently, residents of the Labasa district may experience flying termites as we are in the AST swarming period.

Whilst in this period, BAF advices members of the public to switch off all lights in and around their personal dwellings and light a supervised fire outside which can attract the flying termites and kill them.”

“Furthermore, BAF would like to inform the public that all complaints must be lodged or registered at our offices in Labasa or Lautoka in the Western Division following which BAF termite officers will schedule an inspection of the facility and treatment if required,” he added.

Some of the names of the places in Labasa that reported a termite outbreak are: Valeabasoga, Boca, Vunivau, Bulileka, Vunika, Cawaira, Urata, Soasoa, Vaturekuka/Vatunibale, Vitandra, Batinikama, Vulovi and Fiji Sugar Corporation mill and quarters.

BAF has the following advice for the public:

n             Check for any termite infestation in your homes and if you suspect any sign of infestation visit our Labasa Office to register your complaints (inspect your homes for mud tracks, bloated walls, unaccounted timber destruction within the homes)

n             Expose the inside of the house to adequate sunlight and wind which may discourage any termite infestation inside the house

n             Leave the surroundings of the house clean and dry.

n             Avoid having gardens or flower beds too close to the house as they retain moisture which aids termite infestation in the house

n             Occasionally change the internal arrangements of the house to disturb any possibility of termite infestation

n             Do not leave firewood or timbers around the house in direct contact with the soil, instead properly stack the on blocks or other structures

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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