Industry to Capture First-Of-Its-Kind Footage of Termite Destruction

Professional Pest Management Alliance to release half a million termites in custom-built Tiny Termite House.


FAIRFAX Va. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), announces its latest research project, the Tiny Termite House, designed to show the destructive nature of termites in a controlled home environment. The group is set to dump 500,000 Formosan termites into a custom, built-to-scale, miniature dream home and capture them at work utilizing a mix of high-definition video footage and photography. 
 
“This project is a really exciting one for our industry because we will be using sophisticated equipment to obtain never-before-seen footage of termites and glean more insight into the important roles that termite castes play in eating their way through homes,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “The consumer education aspect of this project is huge. Our goal is to physically demonstrate the hidden dangers that these wood-destroying insects pose to consumers’ biggest investments, and hit home the importance of regular prevention and professional inspection.”
 
PPMA commissioned a third-party industry partner in the research and production aspects of the project. The tiny, two-story home is being constructed on a cement slab and equipped with insulation, plumbing and electricity to make it as authentic as possible. Other amenities include hardwood floors, a beautiful kitchen, a balcony overlooking an in-ground swimming pool and a manicured lawn. The home will be fitted with cameras to observe the progress of the termite colony from introduction to decimation.
 
Upon final completion of the project, PPMA will embark on robust consumer media relations and social media campaigns tied to Termite Awareness Week, March 11-17, 2018. The annual designation is recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events and is celebrated throughout the pest management industry. 
 
“Termite Awareness Week is a natural fit to unveil the findings and footage captured during the Tiny Termite House project,” added Mannes. “As we approach prime termite season, now is the perfect time to communicate the importance of partnering with a licensed pest control professional to protect their home against these voracious pests.”
 
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