Infrared Technology and Termite Detection

Infrared technology has been used for decades to1999. More than a decade ago!
search for humans and other animals. It even has usesPrior to these infrared termite detection cameras
in various fields of science and technology, but untilcoming on the market, the method of finding termite
very recently, no one had had the idea of usingruns, was to tap a joist and listen to determine if it was
infrared to locate termites and other insects. When,a little bit hollow. Then, the expert would break the
you hear about it, it makes sense, because a largetimber open to see whether he was right. Discovering
number of animals working and living together willtermite galleries or walkways by this method was
create heat, even if they are termites.unavoidably destructive and so not optimal.
However, now that the connection between infraredFurthermore, disturbing termite workers in this manner,
and termite detection has been made and there arecauses them to signal a retreat and they all run back
devices on the market, professional pest controllersto the nest. This can decrease the effectiveness of
have welcomed the new technology with open armsfurther detection and subsequent spraying. The termite
and accepted it into their armoury of weapons againstpest control industry was looking for a way around this
termites that occupy our homes. These days,problem for a long time.
thousands of forward-thinking pest control businessesThen along came the infrared termite detection
can offer termite detection by means of infraredcamera. So, nowadays, a termite exterminator does
cameras.not even have to interrupt much, he can creep quietly
Now, these infrared cameras are not cheap, but asaround the premises inserting the lens of the video
with all other kinds of new technology, the price iscamera into nooks and crannies and see what is going
dropping as there is more and more demand. This willon. The camera lens is on a stem which allows it to be
have a big effect on the price of a termite survey,inserted into galleries in timber and earth to make
because previously, people had to go digging holes alltracing them back to the nest simpler.
over the place to find the nest. You see the realThe infrared termite location camera has taken the
problem is that the most harmful termites arestruggle against the termite up to a new level. It has
subterranean, that is to say, their nests arealso lowered the amount of damage that an
underground.examination for termites leads to and it should bring
It was always very tricky to find and annihilate the nestthe cost of a survey down as well. The only thing that
and nearly all the damage caused to timber in the USAan infrared termite location camera cannot help you
is made by these subterranean species of termites.with is the cost of getting rid of the termites if you
The latest estimation I can find for termite damage andreally do have an infestation.
deterrence in the USA is $11 billion - but that was in