Termites can be difficult to detect reliably and many detection methods are destructive to property or disturbing to the termites (which may interfere with remedial treatment). The reliability of Termatrac™, a new Australian device for the detection of termites in an unobtrusive manner, based on novel microwave technology, was tested in the field. Termite presence was assessed as indicated by the device in 119 aggregation stations. Of the 90% correct assessments: 56.5% of aggregation stations had termites and 33.5% did not have termites. The incorrect assessments were: 1.5% termites recorded when there were none (due to the presence of other insects) and 8.5% as not having termites when they were present (due to high moisture levels in aggregation stations, i.e. absorption of the microwaves). Ants could be distinguished from termites as they produced significantly different signals (as displayed on the LCD screen) from termites. With appropriate training and experience in interpreting termite (vs other insect) signals, Termatrac™ should help increase the termite detection rate in conventional buildings and other structures with less effort and disturbance than hitherto possible.

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