Radar Sensor for Termite and Pest Detection

Radar sensor technology for use in detection of hidden pest activity was developed and patented by Termatrac and was the sole purpose of the original Termatrac device.

The latest radar detection technology in the iTraker has increased sensitivity to detect even low levels of hidden termite, ant, rodent, bee and bed bug activity.

Utilising artificial intelligence, the iTraker can also suggest the likely species of the pest being picked up by the radar sensor.

iTraker Radar Sensor

How does the iTraker Radar Sensor work?

The radar sensor releases high frequency, low microwave emissions to penetrate the building material. The microwaves are reflected by material within the wall and the reflected waves are detected by the sensor. When the microwaves hit a moving object, the reflected waveform is altered, and these changes are detected by the iTraker and are displayed as movement on the visual display.

The waveforms can penetrate most building materials, including brick, wood, plasterboard, tiles, pressed board and concrete blocks. The depth of penetration depends on the density of the building material you are inspecting, with higher gain settings required for denser materials.

Measurement of movement

Any movement is displayed on screen in line graph and/or bar chart formats. The graph format can be changed by tapping the graph toggle or swiping it left or right. The gain adjustment is used to alter the sensitivity of the radar. The recommended initial gain settings are 5-6, but higher gain settings should be used for more dense materials and lower gain settings for less dense materials.

The important element of the display is that it shows both measured movement and device shake. It’s important to ensure no / minimal device shake, such that the movement measured by the radar is both real and accurate. Place the device on a solid surface or stand (tripod or monopod), with the radar sensor flush against the surface will provide the best results. Use on likely areas of activity such as door frames, window sills and entry points.

How is the data captured?

Radar / movement data is captured at the press of a button, taking a screenshot of the graphs on display, which includes the last 10 second interval of movement. It is advisable to also take a photo of the measurement location using the camera functionality within the app and annotate accordingly. Along with the date stamped data records it provides auditable records to confirm conditions at the time of your inspection. The saved images are stored in the app under TConnex.

What Pests can the Radar Sensor detect?

Useful for detection of a wide range of pests:

Termites
Ants
Wasps
Bees
Bed bugs
Rodents

Although the Termatrac was originally developed to detect and track termite activity, pest control operators are finding the iTraker useful for detecting a wide range of hidden pests including locating the activity and nests of rodents, wasps, bees and ants. Such information is invaluable for determining the treatment plan and confirming successful eradication after treatment.

For pest control operators operating in the hospitality industry, the iTraker has also become an indispensable tool to detect bed bug activity, helping determine treatment areas and confirming eradication.

The sensitivity of the radar sensor iTraker Pro allows a skilled operator to pick up the movement of only a few pests. For example, it is capable of detecting a single termite tracking and tracking the movement of termites inside the wall cavity. Knowing their movement and potential entry points allows an appropriate treatment plan to be implemented. Scanning the same areas during the post treatment inspection is invaluable to confirm eradication.

Supported by Artificial Intelligence

The iTraker software taps into cloud-based artificial intelligence to help identify the species of the pests detected by the radar sensor. Each pest products a unique waveform pattern. Through machine learning and collection of data from iTraker users from around the world, iTraker is able to identify the likely species being picked up by the sensor. With termite species tricky to identify even if soldiers can be collected, getting this additional information can be useful in determining the correct treatment program.

Key Features and Benefits

Accurately identify areas of pest activity without the need for invasive inspection
Location and tracking of pest activity to determine nest locations and entry points
Determine best treatment locations
Useful for confirming successful eradication at the end of treatment
Can be used to detect of a wide range of pests:
- Termites
- Ants
- Wasps
- Bees
- Bed bugs
- Rodents
Screenshots of movement activity charts for use in reports
Data stamped data records to confirm conditions at the time of your inspection
Photos of scanned area can be taken from within the app
Annotation of photos and movement charts allow for accurate reporting