Transportation of termite infestations in wood products: lessons from the formosan termite experience in Georgia

摘要

Subterranean termites have a dynamic and opportunistic developmental life history, social structure, and food preferences that combine to allow their establishment in new areas by the unwitting movement of infested materials. Recent research has demonstrated that the Formosan subterranean termite has been relocated from New Orleans, Louisiana to Atlanta Georgia in infested railroad crossties. As a result of the initiative of the Railway Tie Association a dialog has begun within the railroad and woodpreservative communities that should result in a Quality Assurance program aimed at reducing or eliminating the spread of exotic subterranean termites through commerce in used railroad crossties released from grade.