After a surveillance operation lasting five years, MAF has declared a Nelson garden rid of Australian subterranean termites.

The invasive wood pest is believed to have arrived in the country in the mid 90’s, in imported railway sleepers used for landscaping.

The termites were first identified in 2006 and eliminated by a specialist Australian firm by 2007. Monitoring has continued since then.

MAF says it is currently monitoring three other termite infestations, two in Auckland and another in the Nelson area, all thought to be due to imported railway sleepers.

Although imported sleepers were fumigated and treated after 2003, MAF says this is something gardeners should be aware of.