“The natural spread of AST is limited to tunnelling activities and swarming,” Bisosecurity Authority chief executive Michael Bartlett said in a statement on Friday.
Authorities have warned against inter-regional movement of products emanating from four localities where termite infestation has been identified.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji said products from infested areas in Labasa, Lautoka, Ba and Nadi, must not be moved to other localities.
Significant colonies were reported from the four municipalities.
The warning followed the discovery of Asian Subterranean Termite (AST)infestation at Nakasi – the first reported case in the Central Division.
The infestation is not new to the Central Division, with further rev- elations from members of the public that discoveries were made ear- lier in Nabua, Lami and Valelevu.
“The natural spread of AST is limited to tunnelling activities and swarming,” Bisosecurity Authority chief executive Michael Bartlett said in a statement on Friday.
“This is very slow.
“The termites will only move 50 metres from tunnelling activities, and a maximum of 500 metres from swarming annually.
“The biggest risk to the spread of AST is people.”
Nakasi
Biosecurity authorities respond- ed to a call from a private residence in Nakasi, on September 19, 2023, after which it ascertained the source of structural damage to a house and an adjourning flat.
“A visual inspection located the source of the damage and was positively identified as Asian Subterranean Termites,” Mr Bartlett said.
“An active nest was detected, and the infestation treated with chemicals designed to be disseminated back to the colony by soldier ter- mites, with the aim of destroying the colony.”
An inspection of surrounding properties failed to reveal any sign of any other infestation outside of the identified property, he said.
Monitoring and inspections of the area will continue.
Suva
As the first confirmed case of AST in Suva, Biosecurity said it was not unexpected, Mr Bartlett said.
“Scientific analysis has deter- mined that AST have been in Fiji for 30 to 40 years, and is firmly en- trenched in our environment,” Mr Bartlett said.
“For an infestation of AST to cause significant economic damage the colony needs to be mature.
“This means that the incursion of the termites in Nakasi occurred up to 10 years previously, by way of human assisted movement, of infected materials.
“Such materials include building materials, wood, furniture, paper, cardboard, books, paper products, soil, pot plants and other plant materials.”
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj
