LOCATION – CALLALA BAY NSW

SPECIES – COPTOTERMES ACINACIFORMIS “Copto”

SPM received a call to treat an active termite nest at a domestic home in Callala Bay. Peter McIntyre Nowra Branch Manager and SPM’s resident Termite expert was first on the scene. The owners had just purchased the property and moved in about 2 weeks ago. A pre-purchase timber pest inspection was carried out by another company about a month previous. Upon arrival Peter requested a copy of the report to read through to asses the situation. The

The infestation - wood pile has been mud packed by the Termites

report stated that there were no active termites in the house however they did find active termites in the wood pile in the rear north eastern corner of the back yard. The report also stated a further invasive inspection of the wood pile is strongly recommended. It also claimed the buyers to contact the vendor; the new owner’s solicitor did not read the entire report and did not pass on this recommendation to the new owners. The sale went through and the new owners were now responsible for the treatment of the termite infestation and subsequent costs. These costs should have been a condition of sale with the previous owners.

SITUATION

Peter from SPM drills the nest

TREATMENT

The wood pile could have been removed by physical methods; however there was a risk that the nursery section of the nest may be underground so it was decided to destroy the colony by chemical methods. SPM drilled several holes into the nest with a large auger to penetrate into the depths of the nest. Then 20litres of “TERMIDOR” liquid was injected via the holes. SPM then returned in 21 days to confirm the colony had been destroyed.  The house has a Termimesh physical barrier installed during construction and the report stated that there were no bridges or breaches of the barrier, as such a termite management proposal was not required for the house and 6 monthly inspections were strongly recommended.

HISTORY

While SPM were packing up after treatment the next door neighbor came over to see what all the fuss was about. The neighbor informed Peter she had attacks from termites twice in the last 5 years and had spent over $10,000 in 2 treatments from 2 different pest control companies, also 4 other houses which surround the property also had attacks from termites in the last 5 years. All the surrounding neighbors had suspected the termites had come from the wood pile as it was very large over 10 ton and had been there for 9 years. The old owner was collecting green timber from across the road new development estate and had been collecting it for years. After receiving all the information on the history of the wood pile we are 100% sure that the colony would have started from a colonizing flight. Its takes 3 to 5 years for a colonizing flight started colony to build up numbers before they are a potential threat to buildings and all the surrounding houses were attacked 5 years after the wood pile started.

Peter from SPM injects the nest with Termiticide

LESSONS LEARNT FROM THIS CASE STUDY

Ensure all parties read the termite report in its entirety including your solicitor and pass the buck back to the vendor before you settle on the sale of the house.

Do not store more than enough fire wood than you will use in one winter season and keep it off the ground and away from your most precious investment, and your neighbors.

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