Fiji: Pestilence on the rise as termite invasion surges across the island

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases

Fiji: Pestilence on the rise as termite invasion surges across the island

Felix Chaudhary
Thursday, August 19, 2010

TWELVE new homes were found infested with termites since a dusting program began over four weeks ago, bringing to 964 the number of homes detected with mite infestation.

To date, 2,294 termite infected trees have been found in and around Lautoka.

Operation Kadivuka spokeswoman Rosa Dalituicama said the discovery was made during the revisiting phase of the dusting program.

"Part of the dusting process includes revisiting homes that have been dusted after four weeks.

"During this process, 12 new homes were found to be infested by the pests," she said.

So far, bio-security officers have surveyed 11,712 homes in and around Lautoka of which 964 were declared infested.

Dusting teams have so far treated 565 homes and are currently visiting homes in Tavakubu, Tokovuki, Drasa Vitogo, Saru, Kermode Street, Field 40, Homer Crescent, Tawatawa, Naikabula, Buabua, Drasa, Lomolomo and Naviyago.

Ms Dalituicama said the teams had surveyed trees and declared 2,294 to be infested, of which 731 had been treated with Termidor dust.

There have been no reported termite infestations outside of the prescribed bio-security zones, she said.