How Does The System Work?
Nemesis has been designed as a professional product to provide a safe, non-invasive answer to termite control. We have developed this state of the art system to give you, our client's, peace of mind when you choose Nemesis to protect your most valuble asset. PCT continues to carry on research in it's own right and in partnership with leading institutions to further develop and improve the Nemesis concept. We trust the information contained in this website will assist you in evaluating Nemesis and in providing answers to your questions. Thank you for your interest in the Nemesis Termite Bait System.
1. Termite Facts
Termites are small soft bodied insects, which many people call "white ants", however, though they look similar, they are not related. There are hundreds of termite species in Australia, some are important recyclers of dead and decaying timber, others feed on grasses, only a few cause economic damage.
These species are subterranean, they constantly forage and evaluate the size and quality of food resources as they seek out cellulose, the primary component of wood. They feed on fallen or dead timber and clean up the environment by recycling important nutrients. Unfortunately termites also consume large amounts of timber in houses, causing significant damage and can be in your home for several years with very few signs of activity.
Termites live and work together in large nests or colonies. The individual members (millions in some cases) work tirelessly so that the colony survives and flourishes. There are various castes of termites and the workload and responsibility is shared.
Reproductives (Queen, King & Alates)
The King fertilizes the Queen. The Queen lays the eggs. Each year at certain favourable times (hot muggy days or before/after storms etc) millions of winged reproductives or alates are released from mature colonies to perpetuate the species. These may survive, pair up, mate and begin new colonies. In some species the Queen can live for more than 25 years and produce over 2000 eggs per day.
Workers
The majority of termites are workers. Cream in colour, they build the nest, search for and obtain food, make the telltale covered mud shelter tubes, feed the colony members, look after the young and eat or bury the dead. These cause the damage.
Soldiers
Compared to Workers these are few in number. They are responsible for the defense of the colony. Some have fierce fighting mouthparts whilst others squirt chemical weapons and adhesive 'ropes'. Soldiers often sacrifice themselves to save the colony.
Surveys carried out by the CSIRO estimate that the risk of termite attack and damage is high. The statistical risk is that 1 in 3 hourses will be attacked during the economic life of a house, bearing in mind most homeowner insurance policies do not cover termite damage.
2. What Should I Do?
If you discover termite activity, don’t panic, do not disturb the termites, or reach for the spray can, (you will only kill those termites which come into contact with the spray not the colony). Call a professional pest manager. As a homeowner, we recommend you not attempt to treat the problem yourself because:
• Termites have the potential to damage your home significantly - a trained professional is needed to address the issues.
• Termite management requires training on how to detect and locate termites.
• A thorough inspection is one of the most important aspects of termite management. Your professional pest manager is experienced in inspection and detection techniques.
• Termite management professionals understand important aspects of building construction and how it relates to the planning and implementation of a successful termite management program.
• Termite control professionals are able to correctly interpret inspection results and understand how they relate to selecting appropriate management methods.
• Termite management professionals are skilled in the servicing of the specialized systems that are available for termite management. In particular those professionals who have undertaken the Nemesis accreditation course can show you how the Nemesis System can detect colonies and eliminate them from your home.
3. Nemesis - The System
Nemesis can only be installed by professional pest managers; PCT
supports only those professionals who have completed the Nemesis
accreditation course and who install the system in accordance with the
Nemesis manual. PCT recognizes that you require safe effective
solutions to termite problems; as a responsible company with your
interests at heart, we provide a professional outcome in tandem with
your chosen contractor.
a) Baiting Live Termites: The attractive easy to feed on Nemesis Termite
Bait can be immediately placed onto or into timbers where termites
are found feeding, using above ground stations. The termites quickly feed on the Nemesis Termite Bait, taking it back to the nest. The
termites cannot detect that the bait is slowly affecting their ability to
grow and develop. The insect growth regulator active ingredient -
Chlorfluazuron - also stops the termite colony being able to
reproduce. Nemesis Termite Bait is replenished or refreshed
periodically in order to facilitate bait uptake. Active stations are
regularly inspected and replenished as required approximately every
3 weeks. The termite colony loses whole generations of replacement
members and gradually declines and finally collapses. The effects of
the Nemesis Termite Bait are visible and can be tracked. This means
that the termite colony elimination can be reliably determined. The
termite’s natural habits, food preferences, energy saving and feeding
behaviour are all used against the colony.
b) Detecting & Aggregating Termites: If live termites cannot be located, special inground monitoring stations can be placed either in the soil, through concrete or under pavement at strategically important points around a building. These stations can be inspected on a regular basis with the inspections tailored for intervals of approximately 8 – 12 weeks or so. It is strongly recommended that regular 3 monthly or 6 monthly house inspections are also carried out by your professional pest manager if your house/property is at moderate to high risk.
c) Termite Monitoring: When the termite colony has been eliminated, the bait is removed and new timber interceptors are put into place. The monitoring system then continues to provide an opportunity to detect termites foraging in the soil close to structures and in many cases before serious levels of damage occur. The Nemesis system can take several months to completely eliminate a termite colony. However it can drastically reduce the rate of wood consumption by the colony within 4-6 weeks after the colony begins to consume the termite bait.
d) Additional system features: The bait system features stations that are opened by a special tool. The active ingredient of the Nemesis Termite Bait System is securely contained below ground.
The active ingredient has extremely low toxicity to pets and humans. Low profile station reduces risk of tripping hazard.
