Efficacy of Commercial Termite Baiting Systems for Management of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Texas

摘要

The success of commercial baiting strategies for remedial control of subterranean termites has historically had mixed results, owing to discrepancies in applicator error, pest pressure, and choice of toxicant. For this reason, an independent assessment of two specific active ingredients, and three dispensing mechanisms was evaluated to determine their overall efficacy for remedial control of subterranean termite activity in Texas. FirstLine (FMC Corp.), Sentriconwith Recruit IPbait (Dow AgroSciences), and Terminate (United Industries, Inc) systems were evaluated. The time required for foraging termites to locate and initiate feeding on Sentricon and Terminate bait stations was approximately one-half the time required to locate and begin feeding on FirstLine, for both Reticulitermesflavipes and Coptotermesformosanus. The time required for C.formosanus to locate and initiate feeding on all termite baiting systems was approximately one-half the time required for R.flavipes. Significant differences inefficacy between the three baitingtreatment systems for R.flavipes were not observed, with a mean efficacy of 84%. Sentricon8 achieved efficacy (88%) results with supplemental liquid termiticide treatments. FirstLine efficacy (80%) and Terminate efficacy(84%) results required initial and subsequent spot-treatments with liquid termiticides for comparable results. Sentricon yielded better results in the management of C.formosanus, if augmented with supplementary in-ground and above-ground bait stations.Optimum results were achieved when monitoring of bait stations occurred twice each month, rather than on a monthly monitoring regime.