West Australian researchers have come up with a sensitive acoustic device that can detect termite infestation by ‘hearing’ them chewing through timber. Once detected, the device can immediately send an SMS or email to a pest control firm—with the termites’ GPS location—so they can take appropriate action to protect the property. The device can also detect termite activity in timber bridges and wooden power poles.
The developers are looking to commercialise the device in Australia within the next 12 months and say it has the potential to revolutionise the pest control industry. The device is called WiSPr (short for ‘wireless smart probe’) network for acoustic detection.
A/Prof Adam Osseiran, Edith Cowan University, Perth
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3794-smart-probe-detects-termites-by-hearing-them-eat.html