Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Australian subterranean termites eradicated
from Biosecurity 60, June 2005.
Biosecurity New Zealand has welcomed the successful eradication of the Australian subterranean termite (Coptotermes acinaciformis) from sites at Otorohanga, Morrinsville and Matamata.
Subterranean termites are one of the world’s most destructive urban pests. In Australia, termites cause more than $100 million in damage each year and more than 150,000 houses (1 in 20) are damaged by infestations. Damage in the United States in 2002 was noted at around $US2.2 billion per annum.
Otorohanga eradication
Termites were first reported from Otorohanga in 1990, having first entered the town during the 1950s via two imported utility poles. Initial response actions by the then Ministry of Forestry involved removal of the utility poles adjacent to infested properties and insecticide treatment. One nest was found in a pole and destroyed. Further termite activity was detected on private properties between 1994 and 1998, despite treatment carried out after each find.
In 1999 the MAF Biosecurity Authority – now Biosecurity New Zealand – explored options to eliminate the increasing termite population, which had by now infested eight houses.
Strategy for elimination
A group of invited international and local experts met to overview the site and develop a strategy for elimination. As a result of the meeting, MAF Biosecurity developed a comprehensive response programme. The main strategy involved the placement of up to 300 Sentricon bait stations at the site. These bait stations contain hexaflumuron, an insect growth regulator, which prevents termites from moulting. This results in termite death and colony elimination.
To complement the bait stations, MAF Biosecurity:
- placed 200 wooden stakes at the site
- inspected and removed untreated hardwood utility poles from the immediate area
- placed sticky traps at 10 metres height on selected utility poles to monitor flight
- annually inspected properties within the area for new activity
- placed movement controls on termite host material, and
- liaised with the local community of 3000 to enable them to assist with identifying signs of termite activity.
One month after bait stations were placed during November 1999, active termites were found feeding within six stations. By March 2000, three months after placement, termite activity had ceased. As of May 2005 regular monitoring and on-going inspection of bait stations has resulted in no further evidence of termite activity. Biosecurity New Zealand formally announced the successful eradication of subterranean termites at Otorohanga on 5 May 2005.
As part of the general forest biosecurity programme, Biosecurity New Zealand will continue annual inspections of the Otorohanga area.
Morrinsville and Matamata
Infestations at the Piako substation power storage depot near Morrinsville, and a house in Matamata, both of which were ?rst detected in the late 1990s, have also been declared eradicated by Biosecurity New Zealand. The sites were treated and also intensively monitored, with no termite activity detected since 2001.
Success factors
The attributes which made the programmes successful include the rigorous technical analysis of implemented strategies, the level of commitment and leadership shown during the programme by team members, readily available operational field capacity, and community support from councillors and residents. The Otorohanga District Council in particular was an integral component of the successful result.
Biosecurity New Zealand Senior Adviser, Mark Ross, says that with people’s biggest assets being literally chewed apart by the termites, the infestations were extremely traumatic for the affected families.
Residents in Otorohanga affected by the infestation formed a group called RASTs – Residents Against Subterranean Termites. “The termite response team is acutely conscious that the programme could not have succeeded without the goodwill and support of local residents,” Mark says.
Mark Ross, Senior Adviser Surveillance and Incursion Response, Post-clearance, Biosecurity New Zealand.
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