The Termite Bio Security Taskforce will now petition Cabinet for an increase in their budget in order to combat the spread of infestation in Lautoka.
 
Operation Kadivuka Spokesperson, Rosa Dalituicama said that they have forwarded a budget request of $4.2 million budget for the termite extermination operation.

Dalituicama said that this is for the Baiting System, adding that once this money is approved they will be able to carry on with their work.

Meanwhile, when fijivillage questioned Dalituicama on the steps currently being taken, she stressed that their Bio Security officers are out in the field - marking the entry points of the termites and once the medicine is in, then they will be able to kill the termites.

Dalituicama also said another approach they are taking is the insect light trapping system where at night between 6-8pm, their officers are using the system to catch as many termites as possible as they come out of their nests at night only.

It is understood that the Termite infestation in Lautoka has spread and is now affecting houses and trees outside the bio security declared zones.

After the promulgation of the Termite Bio Security Decree, three zones were set up, one from Tomuka to Tavakubu, another from Natabua to Wairabetia with the third zone being from Naikabula to Drasa Dam Road.

However, there have been confirmed reports that the termites have affected houses outside these three zones.

At the moment, a total of 774 homes, 16 schools and 1,492 trees have been infested by termites.