Over 775 homes across Lautoka have suffered extensive damage caused by Asian Subterranean Termites.
Termite Taskforce Co-Chair Sashi Kiran told fijivillage News that property values in affected areas have significantly dropped with many homeowners facing costly repairs due to the termite invasion.
She says the AST Termite Baiting Program is set to start in Lautoka’s pilot area later this month in a step to combat this issue.
Kiran says Flick Hygiene Services had won the tender to provide the baiting services and their officers will be visiting homes that had reported infestation and had benefited from the Government’s grant program.
She says 448 homeowners have already received the government grant while 327 applications are still in process bringing the total cost of the program to $3.83 million.
She further says 760 homeowners received $5,000 and 15 received $3,000 where the applications were processed by Lautoka City Council and verified by Biosecurity of Fiji.
Kiran adds as part of the program, Flick Hygiene Services will assess the damage and active termite colonies in each property.
She says colonies will be identified, baited with at least three follow-up visits to ensure that colonies affecting the home are eradicated and all data including images will be collected, and reports will be developed on the pilot project in Lautoka.
Meanwhile, a resident from Waiwai Village in Ba, Vikash Ram shared with fijivillage News his experience with the termite infestation in his home and says the damage is in one bedroom where termites have damaged the masonite 6-7boards.
He says they had reported the matter and Biosecurity of Fiji responded quickly to his report.
Ram urges homeowners to be vigilant, especially during the termite swarming season.
He says there is not much people can do if the termites already entered someone's house but they should be on the lookout, especially during September when the termites swarming occurs and follow instructions of Biosecurity.
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