Termites in Labasa

Tejal Shania Singh, Labasa

The exceptionally dangerous termite, which originally showed up in Lautoka in 2009 and had an outbreak in the year 2010, has made expensive damages to properties in Fiji.

Asian Subterranean Termites are the second most dangerous creepy-crawlies in the world, but one thing good about them is that they do not bite people. Termites found in the two main islands of Fiji have become a national issue.

A biosecurity operation, which is currently known as operation Kadivuka, was introduced in 2010 and from this operation about 150 recruits were reshuffled from many Government ministries and were made to be involved into this operation. People can be made aware about these insects if they find sawdust-like powder near doors and windows, shredded wings left near doors and windows, tiny holes on wood surfaces or paint that has started to bubble on wood surfaces. However, many houses can be protected if the Termites Operations Command Centre or the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji is contacted immediately if a termite infested area is discovered.

To put a halt to this pest conquest, team officials of Operation Kadivuka should delouse all ships arriving into all the ports in Fiji and have approval documents given out from their preceding port confirming that they are free from termite infestation.

This is a preventative measure taken to control more infestation in Fiji.