All Lautoka residents are urged to report any termite infestation found in their plantations in areas known to have been already infested.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Mason Smith said in addition to the infestation of homes, trees and structures, a small plantation in Lautoka was found to be also infested with termites.

According to Smith they do not want to take things lightly as this is a serious issue, so they are advising all residents to report if termites are seen in their plantations or farms to the Department of Agriculture's office in Lautoka. He has advised residents not to disturb the nesting sites and not to move infected timber out of the area.

Surveys so far seem to indicate that the outbreak is mostly confined in rural and suburban areas of Lautoka.

Findings of the Taskforce also showed that there were also heavy termites’ infestations on trees such as mango, tamarind, coconut, cassava, citrus, pawpaw, rain tree and ornamental plants such as Rose.

The awareness is currently ongoing and it is planned to extend to other areas which are outside the termite affected areas.