Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This footage shows a villager demonstrating how he lures and kills hundreds of thousands of termites using a blowtorch after the bugs invaded his home.

Hsu Shao-tang, who lives in the township of Zhongpu in Taiwan’s south-western Chiayi County, revealed he and his neighbours have been “attacked” by termites every summer for the last two to three years.

The flying inspects are especially prevalent in the hottest summer months between July and September – and they bite too.

Hsu, who is the director of a local not-for-profit search and rescue group, said the termites are attracted to light sources and regularly invade homes at night.

He successfully lured several hundred thousand of the bugs by leaving a single outdoor light on before going out.

He placed a basin of soapy water next to the light which helped killed several thousand of them, but when he returned he found scores of insects still clinging to his walls.

The footage shows him taking out his blowtorch and burning the insects to death.

Hsu said he swept up enough carcasses in three hours to fill half a jar, with the dead bugs weighing over 100 grams.

According to reports, the increase in termite populations in recent years may be linked to the reduced use of insecticides on farms.

Hsu has asked the government to intervene and help rid the local residents of the pests.

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