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Quarantine stops invasion of 'world's worst termites'
7 November 2000
Alert work by marine builders last week gave AQIS the jump on a potential invasion of Formosa termites, considered the world's most destructive species.
AQIS WA regional manager Jeroen den Hollander said the termites were found in a boat recently imported into Fremantle from Hong Kong. Marine builders uncovered the pests, identified by CSIRO Entomology in Canberra, when they were renovating the 13-metre motor launch.
Jeroen said the termite's discovery shows what can be achieved when a quarantine-aware community works with AQIS to keep exotic pests and diseases out of Australia.
He congratulated Freedom Marine and a local pest controller for reporting the termite infestation. Their quick action ensured the termites were detected before they reached their reproductive stage, when they would look to establish new colonies.
"These termites have voracious appetites, and caused extensive damage to the bow and stern sections of the vessel even though there was no sign of infestation when it arrived in Fremantle," Jeroen said.
"In recent years they've chewed a swathe across the United States, where repair and control methods cost $US1 billion a year.
"They're a subterranean species - they burrow underground, often going undetected for years. The damage caused by Australia's native termites pales in comparison with what this species can do: while our own termites only eat dead or processed wood, the Formosan termite attacks homes, buildings, live trees, crops, and plants."
This is only the second time Formosan termite has been found in Australia: the same species was detected in an imported boat by AQIS in Queensland four years ago.
AQIS has ordered the boat to be fumigated. After further inspection it will be returned to its owners for the renovations to continue.
For more details
Contact: Sandra Townsend, AQIS Public Relations
Phone: (08) 9311 5333 or 0413 159 380
Note: photographs of the termites and damaged timbers are available from AQIS