| abstract |
A device and method of termite detection and control, where the device is a housing having an interior, and an upper and lower end, and the housing is adapted to capture the natural thermal radiation of the sun when implanted into the ground. The lower end of the housing has an opening to the interior for access by termites when the lower end of the housing is implanted within the ground. The upper end of the housing includes an opening and a transparent cover for placing a moisture-absorbing attractant and, selectively, a poisoned bait, within the interior, and the attractant is visible through the cover. During the day, the device uses the thermal radiation of the sun to heat the attractant which absorbs moisture from the soil. At night, the attractant releases the moisture into the soil, creating a temperature anomaly readily detectable by termites. The method for termite detection and control is placing the housings around an area designated to be protected from termite damage, visually inspecting the attractant within the interior of the housing to determine if termite activity is present without physically disturbing the termites, and placing poisoned bait within the interior through the opening at the upper end of the housing if termite activity is detected. |