Introduced species disrupt the native ecological balance. Thus when we in pest control are able to eradicate an exotic pest it is a victory for the environment. Seen in this light, the recent tent fumigation of the western dry-wood termite, Incisitermes minor , in an east Toronto residence takes on greater significance. Not only was the housing stock of the city protected from a destructive new pest, but the regional environment was preserved from the encroachment of another exotic introduction. I can not claim any credit for the fumigation, but as an entomologist I was pleased to be on hand to witness an eradication.
Few entomologists are ever as lucky.
Yes, we still have the subterranean termite with which to contend. And, we still have other wood-boring beetles and carpenter ants but they are native pests and we can manage them. Brain Menard , Brett MacKillop , Ruth Lennips , Mike Graveley , Alex Walker , Chris Roze , Rick Crawford , and Robert Fortuna , Bob Atkinson of Soper's Engineered Fabric Products , Karen Furgiuele of Gardex Chemical Inc. , Mei Leveson , Anna Pawlovich , and Wood Szeto of Photovac Inc. , Beth Benson and Mary Moola of Toronto Public Health . Congratulations to all of you for a highly professional job and a flawless eradication. Part of the fumigation team.