Chemical prevention of colony foundation by Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera : Kalotermitidae) in attic modules

Citation
Rh. Scheffrahn et al., Chemical prevention of colony foundation by Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera : Kalotermitidae) in attic modules, J ECON ENT, 94(4), 2001, pp. 915-919
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Entomology/Pest Control
Journal title
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
ISSN journal
00220493 → ACNP
Volume
94
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
915 - 919
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-0493(200108)94:4<915:CPOCFB>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) dust, DOT aqueous solution, imidaclo prid dust, and amorphous silica gel dust with synergized 1% pyrethrins were applied on wood surfaces to simulated attic modules. Modules (30 by 30 cm) with and without fiberglass insulation were exposed to dispersal flights o f Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) in May and June of 1998 and 1999. Six months after flights, modules were disassembled and inspected for nuptial chamber location and contents, During both years, air and water control treatments contained 22.2 +/- 9.94 (mean +/- SD) nuptial chambers, 7.5 +/- 5.7 live i magos, and 2.0 +/- 1.4 chambers with brood. This survivorship indicated tha t the attic modules performed well as a colonizing platform for C, brevis. C, brevis dealates preferred constructing nuptial chambers in the crevices at the bases or tops of the modules instead of internal crevices. Modules t reated in 1998 and 1999 with DOT or silica dusts contained no live termites , whereas zero of five modules treated with imidacloprid dust in 1998 and t wo of 20 modules treated with imidacloprid dust in 1999 contained single li ve incipient colonies. In 1998, 15% DOT solution, applied as a postconstruc tion treatment, yielded significantly fewer chambers and live termites than controls, but was not as effective as dusts in preventing successful colon ization. In 1999, the DOT solution, applied as a construction-phase treatme nt, was equally as effective in preventing colonization as the dust treatme nts during that year. Results indicate that dust formulations of DOT, silic a gel, and imidacloprid can be used to prevent drywood termite colonization in existing building voids and attics. Where the entire wood framing is ex posed to treatment, such as during building construction, aqueous DOT solut ion can be equally effective as dusts in preventing colonization by C. brev is.