Experts Say That A Mass Termite Infestation In A Wealthy Area Of Omaha May Last 5 Years
Experts Say That A Mass Termite Infestation In A Wealthy Area Of Omaha May Last 5 Years
A glamorous group of homes in a high-end neighborhood of Omaha are now infested with highly destructive termites. The termites are native to Australia. So how did these termites arrive in Omaha? Well, the current mass infestation is actually occuring in Omaha, New Zealand, and not in Nebraska. So residents of Omaha, Nebraska can rest easy. The fancy neighborhood in Omaha has seen multiple termite infestations in the past. However, the termites that are infesting several homes in the area now are among the most destructive types of termites in New Zealand. Pest control experts are working hard to eradicate the termite presence, but the eradication program may take five years due to the massive size of the infestation.
The beach homes currently hosting termite infestations in New Zealand are among the most expensive homes in the entire island country. Not long ago one homeowner living in the neighborhood called in a pest control professional in response to a supposed termite presence. The pest control professional who was called to the home confirmed the termite infestation. After identifying the species of termite within the home, the pest control officer contacted the Ministry for Primary Industries Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline. The pest expert knew that he was not dealing with a typical native termite. The response manager for the Ministry of Primary Industries, Dr. Edwin Massey, recognized the seriousness of the termite threat in the area, and has organized a government-led eradication program. The team of government-employed exterminators will be inspecting numerous homes within one hundred miles from the initial infestation site. So far the termite infestation has been found to have spread to several homes.
The Australian subterranean termites responsible for this large-scale infestation arrived in New Zealand twenty years ago in a shipment of poorly treated lumber. It is believed that only six populations of these termites exist in New Zealand. Luckily, these subterranean termites rarely travel beyond fifty meters from their nests. Conditions in New Zealand are not conducive to the survival of these termites. The sandy ground is not malleable enough for these termites to build tunnels below the ground. The Government has notified all residents of Omaha of the termite threat with notes left on the door of each home.
Do you think that the government of New Zealand has downplayed the potential destruction that could be caused by these particular non-native termites?