News

Treated timber reduces vulnerability to termites: Sayed-Khaiyum

May 17, 2018 7:31 pm

The Fiji Pine Limited is using certain methods of harvesting and treating of timber to reduce its vulnerability from Asian subterranean termites.

This was highlighted by Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in Parliament yesterday, where he is also suggested that people should use treated timber for construction use.

Areas that have been declared emergency places include Lautoka, Labasa and high-risk areas.

Article continues after advertisement

Sayed-Khaiyum says the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji carries out random checks in these zones to ensure termite host materials are not being transferred out of the area.

“For example, if somebody maybe tearing down the timber from their house that could be infected or from an infected area then BAF can actually stop them from taking out the timber into an area that’s not infected. All termite host material are inspected and cleared by BAF officials prior to its movement outside the declared zones.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says a number of methods have been adopted by those living in the affected areas.

One such method is that people in these areas switch off their lights between 5.30pm and 8pm and light small fires to attract termites.