The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji has found Asian Subterranean Termites in the Labasa district.

For the past four weeks, residents of the government quarters in Vaturekuka and Vatunibale have been sighting the termites inside their homes.

With it being the swarming period for the termites, the authority’s team in Labasa has been receiving reports and complaints of termites’ sightings and infestation on a daily basis.

“Labasa is a declared Biosecurity emergency area for Asian Subterranean Termites and this basically means we have confirmed cases of AST infestation in Labasa.”

A Biosecurity Emergency Declaration is in place for these affected areas: Siberia, Batinikama, Vulovi, Cawaira, Vunika, Soasoa, Vunivau, Valebasoga, Vaturekuka, Vatunibale, Vitadra, Bulileka, Boca, Urata and Boubale.

The declaration restricts any movement of AST including nests or host materials.

The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji also confirms that it will conduct a defining survey in Labasa towards the end of the year to ascertain the level of infestation and if there is a spread.