## 4 Discussions  
A novel method (DEMINL) for detecting termite activity was introduced here. The field tests showed that there was a high rate of accuracy and reliability of products. The rate of accuracy reached more than 97%. Even after a two-year test period, 97% of products still remained intact and functional. All these test results showed that DEMINL is suitable for termite detection. The field tests showed that this system is suitable for detecting different termite species belonging to _Reticulitermes_, _Coptotermes_, _Odonotermes_, and _Macrotermes_ et al. Particularly, _R. leptonandubularis_, _R. flaviceps_, _O. formosanus_, and _C. formosanus_ were found in the bait stations. These termites are subterranean termites and have similar feeding preferences on wood pieces. We have not tested whether this device can be used for detecting dry-wood termites. According to the feeding activity of dry-wood termites, this device is expected to be effective for monitoring dry-wood termite species too. Since _Reticulitermes_ and _Coptotermes_ are the main termites damaging wood structures, this system could be very useful in detecting termite activity for households. As well as households, this system can also be used in historic buildings, reservoirs, sea/riverbanks, and agricultural and forest fields, as well as natural parks. DEMINL technology improves the detection of termite activities due to its unique features. The attractive wood pieces settled in the device can attract termites from the nearby environment, which improve the efficacy of monitoring termite activity. The RFID technique in the device provides the possibility of a real-time alarm message, which enables rapid treatment of termites. More importantly, electromagnetic induction along with the non-looping method makes it possible for the wood pieces in the bait station to be separated from the electronic part, i.e., circuit board. The electronic part can be sealed and made water resistant. Termites, especially subterranean termites, usually occur in warm and humid areas, and water and humidity can affect the quality of electronic units significantly. Moisture-induced broken circuits in sensors can cause numerous false positive events. Therefore, a device with waterproof technology can reduce the false positive rate significantly. Compared with some other remote monitoring devices, such as those based on acoustic emission (AE) sensors, odor detection, temperature, gas, and humidity detection, infrared cameras, or a silver particle circuit painted on a wood piece or polyethylene sheet in termite monitoring-baiting station, this devices based on DEMINL technology has unique characters and offers a new option for remote termite monitoring and management. The device introduced here provides a more stable and precise approach for monitoring termite activity. False red spots (false positive signals) were found, although the rate was very low (\(<\)3%). For instance, one case was found due to a physically broken wood piece caused by fungi infections. After 24 months of operation, we found that some stations were infected by fungi, but most of the wood pieces were still intact and did not cause a false signal. Other cases showing false positives, which made up less than 0.5% of the cases, were due to the breakage of the circuit board and the resulting short circuit. Ants, earthworms, and beetles did appear at some bait stations; however, we have not observed any false signals generated by these organisms, probably because these wood pieces were not damaged easily by these organisms. In one case (the TX site), there was no alarm signal, but termites were present (false negative). But, at the next check three months later, the positive warning signal appeared. This was because termites started to accumulate and consume the wood, but the consumption at that time was too little to cause positive signals, and only after some additional time (less than three months) were the wood stakes totally consumed by the termites, resulting in the positive signals.