EVALUATION of COMMERCIAL TERMITE BAITING SYSTEMS for PEST MANAGEMENT of the FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE)

Abstract:
Commercially available termite-baiting systems were evaluated for efficacy in a management program for Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Termite-baiting systems evaluated include Sentricon® (Dow AgroSciences), with hexaflumuron, FirstLine® (FMC Corp.), and Terminate® (United Industries Corp.), both containing sulfluramid (N-ethylperfluoro-octane-1-sulfonamide). The evaluations were conducted in two areas of Texas with high-density populations of Formosan termites (Galveston/La Porte area and Beaumont area), utilizing five structures for each of the termite baiting systems in each area, for a total of thirty structures. All structures qualified for the study with active infestations of Formosan subterranean termites. Results of the evaluation reveal mean numbers of days for first feeding on monitors, in monitored systems, or active-ingredient bait tubes in non-monitored systems, with an extremely wide range. Two of the three baiting systems also had study sites without any termite activity in the bait stations for an extended period of time. There was no discernible pattern of control with either of the sulfluramid-baiting systems; termite management relied on spot treatments with liquid termiticides. Efficacy results utilizing hexaflumuron were significantly different between the two test sites. In the La Porte area, 100% control was achieved with the baiting system, without a termiticide spot treatment, and has continued to exhibit control for an extended period of time. An aggressively active management program involving the utilization of multiple supplementary in-ground bait stations, above-ground bait stations, and biweekly monitoring contrasts sharply with the management program and reduced efficacy results in the Beaumont area.