AU2016101056A4

AU2016101056A4 - An improved termite baiting apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2016101056A4
Application number: AU2016101056A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Philip Nial Robins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-12
Filing date: 2016-07-12
Publication date: 2016-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-12

Abstract

This is an improved termite baiting apparatus that is able to maintain Relative Humidity above 95% and light below 0.6 lux and therefore maintain termite feeding until colony elimination. -O This invention is directly related to subterranean termite behavior characteristics, and the stimuli that control this behavior. The apparatus for holding the cellulose bait matrix controls these two environmental s stimuli and also helps control many of the other environmental stimuli By controlling the two environmental stimuli, termites are able to maintain feeding within the apparatus without the impulses which would normally cause interruption or permanent abandonment prior to enough consumption of bait for Queen and Colony o Elimination.

Description

Termite baiting apparatus

Subterranean Termites in the main live in a closed environment sealed with earthen based walls, they seek food and mine and transport water. Termites are ‘cold-blooded’, with a thin cuticle susceptible to desiccation. The nest and the surrounding earthen corridors known as earthen shelter tubes maintain temperature and humidity in their warm nest systems. To maintain a moist environment workers continually carry moist ‘mud’ for use in constructing mud tubes. This termite ‘mud’ is tiny particles of soil, wood or debris cemented together with saliva and fecal matter.

Economic damage in areas known to have economically important timber feeding species of subterranean termites is often considered to be greater than that caused by the combination of flood, fire and storm damage. All timber or timber containing structures are potentially affected by these termites, including homes, outbuildings, fences, utility poles, railway sleepers, boats, bridges, retaining walls and even living trees.

In response to continued resistance (both legally and ethically) to placing large amounts of diluted chemicals around our dwellings, bait products were introduced in the 1990’s. Traditional termite monitoring is when termite activity is detected by installing untreated monitoring stations around the exterior perimeter of the dwelling. Once termites are detected and ultimately aggregated, the untreated baits are replaced with baits containing a cellulose based material in combination with a very low concentration of a termiticide such as a slow acting toxicant or termite growth regulator. Ideally the treated bait becomes a food preference of the colony, increasing consumption. The toxicant is spread throughout the termite colony and large numbers of termites, and preferably the whole colony, are affected by the toxicant and killed.

When a timber structure is being attacked (eaten) by termites it too may be treated as a type of monitor and the cellulose treated bait attached directly to the activity. An apparatus or covering usually holds the bait to the active timber structure.

Once consumption has occurred within the bait apparatus, it can be interrupted or terminated relatively easily. Under the conditions of the baiting apparatus, foraging termites encounter many environmental influences including variations in available temperature, relative humidity, moisture, light and potential predator’s .There is a hierarchy of stimuli that affect the termites’ feeding activity. These stimuli can be listed as the following; 1. Correct temperature is required to enable termites to enter and remain in housing 2. Adequate relative humidity (above 95%) to enable termites to enter apparatus and begin to consume cellulose bait. Termites will not stay in a low relative humidity chamber irrespective of other factors. In studies that give chamber options with low to high Relative Humidity, termites moved to the highest Relative

Humidity chamber (95%), with approximately 97% of the termites aggregated in this chamber. 3. Uniform Moisture within cellulose matrix. 4. Light will inhibit any termite feeding of cellulose bait with either abandonment or mudding screen to block light formed. Anything Greater than 0.6 Lux (moonlight) will cause reaction. 5. Housing must offer protection from predators, in particular ants.

Traditionally the above ground baiting apparatus and the below ground baiting apparatus were designed with the ease of use of the operator doing the baiting as the primary concern. In rare cases the apparatus previously designed controlled one of the above environmental stimuli causing abandonment but never the important combination required for long term consumption.

As explained Termite Baiting and the associated apparatus to hold the cellulose bait matrix is used in two different situations by two different apparatus. Firstly it is used when termites are discovered in a timber structure such as a fence or timber frame in a house (or above ground baiting apparatus). Secondly termites are intercepted in a monitor/ station with timber inserts placed into the ground (or below ground baiting apparatus).

The improved termite baiting apparatus for holding the cellulose bait matrix controls two environmental influences which determine the success of the apparatus in keeping the termites until enough bait has been passed through the colony for elimination of the Queen/s and the whole colony.

By maintaining Relative Humidity above 95% by in the above ground baiting apparatus completely sealing the apparatus (an airtight, light resistant to greater than 0.6 lux, flexible sachet with a zip lock opening closure and a termite entry opening) to the active timber structure, the termites will maintain the apparatus as if it was part of their workings. In the below ground baiting apparatus (a rigid, durable plastic container with a second independent covering to block light above 0.6 lux) has an air tight lid and is buried into ground and once termites discover timber within, the termites will maintain the relative humidity. In both situations more cellulose matrix can be added via their airtight opening closures and then resealed to maintain 95% Relative Humidity.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An improved termite baiting apparatus (system capable of supplying cellulose bait matrix in a controlled manner without interruption or termination of feeding termites). The said apparatus is to maintain environmental conditions that favour termite feeding.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including capability of maintaining Relative Humidity within apparatus at above 95%.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 and including capability of maintaining light levels within apparatus below 0.6 Lux.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 and including capability of adding further cellulose bait matrix via an opening and returning the apparatus to controlled conditions.