The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) has engaged a consultant from Australia to better manage Asian Subterranean Termites (AST) infestations in Lautoka and Labasa.

Associate Professor with the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Dr. Theodore Evans will be assisting BAF.

The Termites have existed in Fiji since late 2009, however, BAF has been successful in preventing its spread to other districts.

The consultation will last nine months to assess current termite control services.

It will also look at the economic and environmental sustainability of termite management practices and derive new termite control methods.

Dr. Evans is also expected to help with approaches that can be easily implemented in Fiji and moreover assess the level of awareness amongst the public.

BAF is also looking at developing building codes which can discourage termite infestations.