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The Termite Issue
The termite issue has been a tropical one in the media for an extended period of time now, and this page is an overview of the issue to date. We have been heavily involved in the termite issue for a long time with strong consumer sentiments, and are firmly of the view that people should get what they are paying for. The termite issue reminds us of the story of Anybody, Somebody, Nobody and Everybody. Everybody knew there was a problem with termites eating peoples homes, especially the newer ones. Anybody could have done something about it. Everybody knew that Somebody was responsible, but Nobody wanted to do anything about it. Thankfully the Building Code amendments have produced something to help protect the future homes built, and provided they are policed, and not diluted, will continue to help. Nobody has wanted to be a termite policeman, and it is something we really need.
The photos above are from a home in Brisbane where termites bypassed the F8 radiata pine framing, and shredded the hardwood heads at each end of the building, and F5 top top plates. This home is a classic case of an ineffective investigation by the Building Services Authority (BSA). No chemical testing has ever been done, and with a premature failure of the chemical termite barriers installed by Guardian Pest & Weed Control, the testing is unlikely to produce a result indicating effective initial treatment. This home raises concerns about BSA bias towards the larger builders.
We've appeared on A Current Affair, Brisbane Extra, and Today Tonight. We've given evidence on behalf of our clients and the Building Services Authority in the Queensland Building Tribunal, and we addressed the government Termite Working Group that produced the Queensland only Building Code amendments that are likely to be adopted nationally. With over 20 years experience in the pest control industry, and an inquiring mind, we've developed a reasonable understanding of the termite issue, and the contributing factors.
To our view, there are a number of contributing influences in the termite issue, ranging from home owners themselves, unscrupulous pest controllers, termite barrier manufacturers, the pest control industry association AEPMA, chemical manufacturers and distributors, the National Registration Authority (NRA) that registers chemicals in Australia, builders (mostly the larger project builders), and Government regulatory bodies such as the Building Services Authority (licensing pest controllers to work in the building industry), The Queensland Building Tribunal, Building Codes Queensland, City and Shire Councils, private certifiers, and the Queensland Health Department (licensing pest controllers generally). Whilst this may look like a Queensland only view of the termite issue, transpose the regulatory bodies of an interstate or overseas government, and the views will be similar. It should be noted that the Queensland Building Tribunal is now making some very good judgements in relation to the termite issue that will filter back to the Building Services Authority as precedents that must be followed. Please visit our BSA Case Histories Page.
Chemical testing is a relatively simple process. To our view, where treatment failures occur where chemical barriers have been used, a chemical test should be done under the slab (where the home owner has had no impact), and where the chemical tests show that less than the required amount of chemical was applied, the applicator and their company should be charged with fraud. Rather than charge people with fraud through the Queensland Building Tribunal where direction and monetary penalties are applied, we believe they should be charged through the criminal courts where custodial sentences can be applied for repeat offenders.
Wouldn't that send a shock through the pest control industry. Wouldn't pest controllers suddenly be overwhelmingly motivated to do the right thing? It sounds like a harsh solution, but self regulation of the pest control industry simply hasn't worked. To those within our industry who look upon a solution like this as being bad for our industry, I simply ask if you have something to hide. If you've done the right thing, you have nothing to fear. We desperately need to get some integrity back into our industry, and if we don't do this, it will be thrust upon us.
The different bodies above in red are links to further information on each one. Please follow the links. The comments we make are as tropical as the termite issue itself, but are also backed up by photographs from inspections and treatments, and some e-mailed to us by friends locally, interstate, and overseas. We hope you find the information helpful, and if you have any comments or anything to contribute to the termite issue, please don't hesitate to e-mail us at any time. Your input is much appreciated. © Mark Porter 2002
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