AU2003215415B2

AU2003215415B2 - Termite monitoring station

Info

Publication number: AU2003215415B2
Application number: AU2003215415A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anne Frances Brown; Kimberley John Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Brown Kimberley
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-28
Also published as: AU2003215415A1

Description

WO 03/081998 PCT/AU03/00377

TITLE

"TERMITE MONITORING STATION" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a termite monitoring station.

It is known to require methods of identifying the presence of termites. One such method is to provide a termite monitoring station, being a device which attracts any termites in the vicinity. Regular examination of the termite monitoring station reveals the presence or otherwise of termites.

Termite monitoring stations are only effective when the degree to which termites are attracted to the station is high. The present invention seeks to provide a termite monitoring station which is more successful at attracting termites than known monitoring stations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a termite monitoring station comprising a housing for containing a termite bait, the housing having at least one side wall and one base wall, the side wall including at least one aperture for permitting the ingress and egress of termites and the base wall including at least one aperture for allowing water to pass from within the housing outwards through the base wall.

Advantageously, the termite monitoring station of the present invention mimics the properties of a tree.

WO 03/081998 PCT/AU03/00377 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an upper isometric view of a termite monitoring station in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a lower isometric view of the termite monitoring station of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the termite monitoring station of Figure 1 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, there is shown a termite monitoring station 10. The termite monitoring station 10 comprises a housing 13 having a side wall which in the embodiment of the drawings is in the form of a substantially cylindrical, hollow tube 14. The tube 14 extends between an upper end 16 and a lower end 18.

The tube 14 is closed at the upper end 16 by a removable cap 20. Preferably, the removable cap has an internally threaded collar 21 which engages with an externally threaded portion of the tube 14 adjacent the upper end 16.

The tube 14 is partially closed at the lower end 18 by an end cap 22. The end cap 22 is fixed to the tube 14 at the lower end 18 by suitable means such as the use of an adhesive or a threaded connection. The end cap 22 provides for a base wall 23 of the housing 13.

The base wall 23 includes a centrally disposed aperture 24. The diameter of the centrally disposed aperture 24 is approximately one third that of the tube 14.

WO 03/081998 PCT/AU03/00377 The housing includes a plurality of apertures 26 arranged along the length and about the circumference of the tube 14. The apertures 26 are sized so as to permit the ingress and egress of termites.

A termite bait 28 is centrally disposed within the outer housing 13. The termite bait 28 is comprised of material which is readily consumable by termites, for instance a composite timber and cardboard structure. The termite bait preferably rests over the centrally disposed aperture 24 of the base wall 23.

The termite monitoring station 10 further includes a moisture introducing means in the form of an water distribution pipe 30. The water distribution pipe 30 is approximately one tenth of the diameter of the tube 14, and extends within the tube 14 along the side wall from a top end 32 adjacent the upper end 16 to a bottom end 34 located approximately one third of the length of the tube 14 from the lower end 18. A dripper 35 may be located at the bottom end 34.

A water supply pipe 36 extends through an upper aperture 37 in the tube 14. The upper aperture 37 is located adjacent the upper end 16 of the tube 14. The water supply pipe 36 is fluidly connected to the water distribution pipe 30. The water supply pipe 36 includes a water control valve 38 located externally of the tube 14, and is connected at a far end to a water supply, preferably a reticulated water supply (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the water supply pipe 36 and the water distribution pipe may be replace with a single length of flexible reticulation tubing without departing from the scope of the invention. Equally, other means of supplying water within the housing 13 are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

WO 03/081998 PCT/AU03/00377 The termite monitoring station 10 fuirther includes an insulating disc 40. The insulating disc 40 is of substantially the same diameter as the inside of the tube 14, and is arranged to locate above the upper end 32 of the water distribution pipe 30. The insulating disc 40 is preferably formed of polystyrene foam, or other material which provides thermal insulation in addition to providing a possible source of carbon dioxide.

In use, the termite monitoring station 10 is placed substantially within the ground 12 as shown in Figure 3. The termite monitoring station 10 is positioned within the ground 12 such that the removable cap 20 is located above the surface of the ground 12, whereas the apertures 26 in the tube 14 are located below the surface of the ground 12. Preferably, the upper aperture 37 of the tube 14 is located above the ground.

Water is supplied through the water supply pipe 36, the water distribution pipe 30 and the dripper 36 to the lower end 18 of the housing 13. Preferably, the water is supplied by means of a timed reticulation system at a rate of about one litre per hour.

The water has the effect of maintaining a high moisture level in a zone about the aperture 24, both within a portion of the termite bait 28 adjacent the aperture 24 and in the ground 12 immediately beneath the aperture 24. This zone is similar to that established about the lower ends of tree roots. The moisture aids in attracting termites towards the termite bait 28, which the termites can access through the apertures 26.

The presence of carbon dioxide, such as that released by a polystyrene insulating disc assists in the attraction of termites.

WO 03/081998 PCT/AU03/00377 Regular inspections of the termite bait 28 can be made via the removable cap 20. In this way the presence of a termite colony in the surrounding environment can be detected.

If termites are detected within the termite bait 28 then suitable action can be taken.

This action might include the introduction of a poison designed to be carried back by termites to a colony's queen, thus resulting in eradication of the colony.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A termite monitoring station comprising a housing for containing a termite bait, the housing having at least one side wall and one base wall, the side wall including at least one aperture for permitting the ingress and egress of termites and the base wall including at least one aperture for allowing water to pass from within the housing outwards through the base wall into the ground directly beneath the bait, the aperture in the base wall being sized to permit a flow of water sufficient to maintain a high moisture level in a zone comprising a portion of the bait and the ground directly beneath the bait, the housing further including a moisture introducing means arranged to be connected to a water supply.

2. A termite monitoring station as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the moisture introducing means comprises a reticulated water source.

3. A termite monitoring station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the termite monitoring station includes a means for supplying carbon dioxide.

4. A termite monitoring station as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the means for supplying carbon dioxide is an insulating polymer. A termite monitoring station as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the insulating polymer is polystyrene foam.

A4ENDED SHEET IPEA/AU PCT/AU03/00377 11 May 2004

6. A niethod of attracting termites, the method consisting of the steps of inserting a monitoring station into the ground, the monitoring station including a side wall having apertures for permitting the ingress and egress of termites, placing a termite bait within the monitoring station, and supplying sufficient water from a water supply to maintain a high moisture level in a zone comprising a portion of the bait and the ground directly beneath the bait, to encourage termites towards the monitoring station.

7. A method of attracting termites as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that water is supplied at the rate of one litre per hour. AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU