Termites

Please do contact Major’s if you have any concerns of Termite activity in your premises. In a few short hours, our Trained Technicians will be able to give you a Comprehensive Report on the actual status. If Termites are detected during our inspection process, we will offer you a solution to the situation. If no Termites are detected, you can certainly have peace of mind that your valuable possession is safe at that point in time. In this situation, we can offer to put in place a Surveillance Programme to constantly be your “lookout or sentry” to continuously protect your assets. If you intent buying a new property, call in Major’s to have that property checked and have it Certified Termite Free prior to committing to purchase. This prudent action will save you a lot of heartaches and money. Likewise, if you intent selling your property, call in Major’s to have it Certified Termite Free as this will certainly enhance the value of your property as well as give the purchaser the comfort that he is getting a good buy. In the event that Termites are found during our inspection, we can eradicate them prior to you selling the property and this will work well for all the parties involved.

Kind acknowledgments to YouTube and National Geographic.

Thermal Imaging

Our Latest Weapon in the Battle against Termites

Thermal Imaging has been around for a very long time and has numerous applications. One important use is to detect thermal anomalies in walls, roofs, ceilings, floorings, etc. The Thermal Images will show up the presence of moisture in buildings. When the building cools after having been under a thermal load, the wet or damp areas will cool slower than the dry areas. This will show up as “hot spots” on the thermal images. These hot spots could be one of many things ie. water leaking from pipes, steam leaking, water seepage through cracks, water seeping through cracks, etc.

The fact that Thermal Images can detect wet or damp areas in the walls, ceilings, roofs & floorings etc. is extremely important information as this would allow the Trained Pest Control Technician to narrow down or zoom into the most likely areas where the termites could be harbouring.



The Infrared Camera is totally safe in the hands of a Trained Technician. With this equipment, we do away with all guesswork and this saves all parties time and there will be no more “knocking and poking” to find weaknesses in structures. The Client is able to witness or see the actual problem and hence decisions can be made on facts. The findings and reports are generated instantly for the perusal of the Client.

Termatrac T1R

The other condition required to further narrow down the presence of Subterranean Termites is from the temperature variations which will be shown up on the Thermal Imaging Camera. Studies have confirmed that Termites thrive in a temperature range of 23°C to 33°C.

When this range of temperature coincides with the wet or damp area, the Trained Technician will mark these spots as “high risk” areas. As there is still no confirmation that it is Termites at this point in time, we will use an equipment known as “Termatrac” to confirm if “any movements” can be detected at the high risk areas. Termatrac is a patented technology that emits a specific microwave signal that penetrates most building materials. If this microwave signal is interrupted by termite or other insect pest activity, the liquid crystal display will alert the pest inspection professional. This information will assist the trained professional in:

1. Tracking the extent of their activity without disturbances
2. Tracking termite entry points
3. Determining the extent of infestation
4. Determining the most suitable treatment procedure
5. Facilitating post-treatment confirmation of effectiveness

Termite Detection System

Finally, to confirm the presence of live Subterranean Termites, we will use the new equipment known as Carbon Dioxide Termite Detection System (TDS). We will use this equipment to take a passive reading of Carbon Dioxide in the house first and use this for calibration. Any increase above the control reading will indicate an active termite infestation. This system detects active termites only. It is a known fact that termites emit vast amounts of carbon dioxide and this equipment will pick up the presence of as little as 3 termites.

On confirmation of the problem by Major’s Pest, the Client will be presented with how we intent to manage/control/eradicate and finally offer a mutually agreeable routine surveillance programme for long term protection and peace of mind.[/wptabcontent]

XTERM Baiting Technology

Xterm Baiting Technology is designed to achieve Total Colony Elimination. In baiting, non-acute poisons called Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are incorporated in the food material. In baiting, food material is ingested by worker termites together with the chemical. The continuous feeding of bait material ensures that sufficient chemical is transferred to all colony members causing total collapse in functional organization. Colony members become disarrayed and disorganized, weakened with secondary infection, ultimately leading to complete colony eradication.

Subterranean Termite Baiting System – Xterm

The system comprises of:

1. Above ground baiting using Above-Ground (AG) Bait Stations
2. In ground baiting using In-Ground (IG) Bait Stations

The chemical used in Xterm termite baiting is called Bistrifluron. It is an Insect Growth Regulator, present in very minute quantities, incorporated into a highly termite attractive compressed cellulose bait matrix in the form of tablets.

Above-Ground Baiting Stations (AG)

AG Bait Stations are deployed in areas where subterranean termite infestation is noted with active mud-trails. The station is placed either at very close proximity in-front of the leading edge of mud shelter tube or adjacent to mud-trail. Xterm bait cartridge with active chemical ingredient is placed into the cartridge compartment after attaching the AG station to wall/floor surface. The sides are then sealed. This ensures that the little gap underneath the station remains dark and secluded, thus creating a conducive environment to lure the termites into it. The station will be inspected a week later to check for any termite feeding activity. If feeding termites are present, the lid is closed and re-sealed. The station will be monitored weekly and a second cartridge may be inserted if termites are found still actively consuming on the first bait cartridge, nearing depletion. This process will be repeated until the termite colony is successfully eradicated. When feeding activity declines or stops altogether, it is an indication that the colony is on the verge of extermination or has been completely eradicated. This process takes about six to eight weeks.

In-Ground Baiting (IG)

IG Bait Stations are deployed at external perimeter of buildings, surrounding apron or at a reasonable distance away from the building along fencing. In-Ground external perimeter baiting of buildings serves a two-fold purpose. The first is to eradicate any existing subterranean termite colony in the surrounding compound of the building. This includes any colony which may be present and have taken a foothold inside the building. The second more important reason, which is less emphasized, is its conferment of long term protection against subterranean termites through the process of constant monitoring. It can be envisaged as a sentry, constantly on the lookout for any new subterranean termite colony formation on and in the vicinity of the compound.

Once active feeding is observed in any of these external monitoring IG stations, bait cartridge containing the active chemical ingredient is added carefully atop the monitoring blank cartridge. The progressive feeding and upward migration into the active bait cartridge ensures that the chemical is carried back to the nest, with rest of colony members being ‘poisoned’ through the active feeding process called trophallaxis. The termite ‘hit’ stations will then be monitored weekly as in AG baiting until complete elimination is achieved. This could take between six to eight weeks.

One great advantage of Xterm baiting method is that the chemical is strictly regulated with active bait cartridges placed in IG bait stations only when ‘hit’ has been observed in any of the stations. The application is highly target specific, killing only the termites which are feeding on them and not other beneficial earth dwelling organisms as could be expected when conventional treatment methods are used such as application of any liquid termiticide to blanket treat soil surfaces or through injection into the ground. In other words, termite baiting method is highly discriminatory in nature.

In-Ground bait stations are normally laid 3 metres apart surrounding the structure to be protected. This increases the probability of a ‘hit’ to any of the IG stations deployed.

Termite baiting is an active process which involves constant vigilant monitoring and eradication of any new colonies formed during the entire duration of the maintenance period.

Since new termite colonies can be formed at any one time, anywhere not only within the client’s premises but also in the surrounding vicinity, it is not practical to give any warranty against future subterranean termite infestation when a termite colony is eradicated during the initial period of a baiting program.

Benefits of Termite Baiting

1. No harmful poison liquid pesticide application (spraying and pumping) is involved
2. Bait application is highly target pest (termite) specific
3. Very safe on non-target organism, pets, homeowners and the environment
4. Easy, clean and fuss-free installation with no noise and drilling
5. Very minute quantities of chemical in solid bait formulation used in a safe manner
6. Complete termite colony eradication is achieved
7. Formation of new colonies intercepted and eradicated at early stage before infestation sets in by a continuous monitoring process using in-ground bait stations.

Benefits of Xterm Termite Baiting compared with other baiting systems:

1. Faster action
2. Unobtrusive bait station design
3. Active ingredient is an IGR (insect growth regulator) / CSI (chitin synthesis inhibitor)
4. Unique, highly attractive compressed cellulose formulation

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[wptabtitle]Surveillance Programme[/wptabtitle]
[wptabcontent]Upon total eradication of the Termite Colony, we will put in place a Surveillance Programme that can vary from an Annual Contract to as many years as the Client wants at an agreed pricing. The regular inspections will give the Client peace of mind that Trained Personnel continue to keep vigilance. This is very important as we may have destroyed ONE COLONY of Termites in the initial instance. However, there have been many cases of properties having multiple termite nests and termites from these nests do emerge in some unforeseen circumstances. You must note that Baiting of any form will destroy the Main Nest and it’s Sub Nests as they are connected. However, Baiting will not destroy Multiple Nests as they are not connected and they have a complete colony of Queen, Soldiers and Workers. To prevent this unfortunate situation, we strongly recommend that Clients continue the Surveillance Programme with us for complete satisfaction.

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