SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE RETICULITERMES SPP. (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) BAITING AND CONTROL IN HISTORICAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN ITALY

Abstract:
Many historical sites in Italy suffer severe damages to wood structures, works of art and ancient books due to well established subterranean termite populations (Reticulitermes sp., R. lucifugus lucifugus, R. lucifugus corsicus). In six field tests, termite colonies were treated with a baiting procedure based on the delivery of cellulose matrix impregnated with hexaflumuron, a slow acting chitin synthesis inhibitor. Six different large structures, in ancient towns, were chosen for their high historical value: a church, a museum, a monastery, a library, a cellar and a school. Treatments took place between 1995 and 1998, by means of baiting in underground and above ground stations. Different problems in contacting colonies, implementing networks of bait stations, finding effective concentration of hexaflumuron, managing reinfestation were overcome, and different decreasing trends were observed depending on the colonies features. In all sites total elimination of termite activity was reached in a period of between 3 and 12 months, delivering minimal quantities of hexaflumuron (0.3-3.4 g) to termites colonies.