Termites & Summer Holidays:5 Pest Controllers Talk About the Termite Season
We’re in the midst of summer down under – and as part of our yearly analysis at Agserv , we thought we’d ask a few of our fellow Pest Control Clients to share their thoughts on the current termite season. Here’s the Q&A:
1. How Many Termite Flights Are In Your Area?
Answers varied, depending on the location and size of each business, though it does seem flights are either on the norm or increasing.
While one company in Newcastle reported only 2-3 flights, another business in Brisbane experienced several enquires about elates post-rainfall. Similarly, a pest business in Melbourne stated they have treated around 50-60 elate flights this season.
2. Have Termite Enquiries Increased or Decreased When Compared to the Same Season Last Year?
The majority of clients we spoke to told us that termite enquiries this summer season have increased from last year, however, it is unclear whether this is due to a higher volume of termite flights or whether it is the result of local business growth.
Only one small company (based in Brisbane) claimed the level of their enquiries were similar to last year, while another in Melbourne stated that their termite business actually slightly decreased 10-15%.
3. What % Of Dusting, Baiting and Foaming Was Used in Colony Control?
· Dusting was by far the most popular method used, with 3 of 5 respondents using dusting 50-80% of the time
· Baiting was highly utilised by one client (97% of the time), while another stated that if they were solely focusing on colony control, baiting would be their primary method (with dusting/foaming used only if necessary); only one other respondent reported using baiting 20% of the time
· Foaming use in colony control was more widespread across clients, but only in small percentages ranging from 1% to 20%
4a. What Was More Popular: Installing Monitoring Stations or Treated Zones?
The responses here were generally even, with some pest operators preferring either monitoring stations and others opting for treated zones for the majority of applications.
4b. If Treated Zones Were Used (in 4a), Were Products Repellent or Non-Repellent?
Once again, results were fairly even here, with some clients opting for a high use of repellent products and others predominantly using non-repellent products.
One technician (from Melbourne) stated that they have experienced several treatment failures when using non-repellent termiticides (mostly due to the drilling of concrete paths around infested areas), but that Biflex (FMC) has almost always been successful.
5. If a Treated Zone Was Carried Out (Q4), Was the Zone Complete or Partial?
The majority of technicians answered that their treated zones were complete, rather than partial. Some stated that they would never carry out a partial zone application, while others said they focused on upselling partial zones to complete zones.
6. What % Of Your Customers Chose Colony Control Only?
Once again, answers varied greatly here and perhaps are dependent on the individual customer, the information provided to them and the type of application required.
Pesties in Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne reported a low rate of customers who chose only colony control (33% to 2%), while two other pest businesses both reported that 75% of their customers opted for colony control only.
Like to talk to us about what else we discovered about this year’s Termite Season? Keen to share your seasonal feedback and views?
Just contact Agserv on 1800 554 445 or [email protected]
I love rainy days not until these days mark the flight of these winged termite out of their colonies.;)