Papers

The species of termites that have an impact on urban dwellings in Southeast Asia are reviewed. Termites of the genus Coptotermes are considered, by far, to have the greatest economic impact on urban dwellings. In Peninsular Malaysia, where the species of Coptotermes have been relatively well studied...

Mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit are still major public health concerns in many countries in the tropics and subtropics resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in man and animals. The use of chemical control agents is still the major forerunner in mosquito control strategies. Despi...

In termites, the mechanisms underlying caste differentiation and related physiological processes have remained elusive. To address this problem, we undertook a genomic research program that uses the common U.S. termite Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar as a model. These studies have allowed us to uncov...

Of the nearly 10,000 known ant species, less than 100 are considered pests and fewer than 30 have adapted to urban disturbance. Some species, such as the Pharaoh's ant have a truly cosmopolitan distribution, nesting in and out of doors in tropical climates and only indoors in temperate climates. Mos...

Termites are considered to be urban pests in Japan, which has a long history of combating the two most economically important subterranean termites [Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki], since Japanese houses are made principally of wood. Approximately half of new home...

The Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC), or BPD, is a recent piece of pan-European legislation that has been incorporated into the national law of each member state. It will regulate all biocidal products that are not covered by earlier legislation that deals with crop protection products (91/414/...

A brief overview on the options for biological control of termites is presented. Many organisms have been identified as being able to kill termites. However, we do not know their real impact on field populations of termites. Research has focused on some entomopathogenic nematodes and the fungi Beauv...

The National Pest Advisory Panel (NPAP) of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) in the UK was established in 2001 to advise the CIEH on its pest control policy. As part of its work, a pest survey was developed to investigate the way in which pest management services within local au...

Termite control practices in South-East Asia differ in some important respects to those typically undertaken in USA, Japan and Australia. Whilst the basic principles are similar, differences in construction practices, type of building, termite species, and environmental conditions each contribute to...

The cryptic habits in lower termites of the family Rhinotermitidae make any understanding of their behavior a difficult task. The secretive nature of their search and foraging behaviors has limited our understanding of these economically significant termites for decades. The behaviors of the foundin...

The Pharaoh’s ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.) is an important species in the urban environment. This paper discussed the performance of a new bait formulation containing S-methoprene. Discussions are made on various laboratory experiments (in Budapest, Hungary and Penang, Malaysia) and field trials i...

Bait aversion has recently resurfaced, approximately six to ten years after the first known case of bait aversion (glucose aversion) was corrected. Anecdotal reports from Pest Management Professionals have indicated poor acceptance and control failures on commercial cockroach gel baits since late 19...

Brazil shows a high diversity of urban pest ants. Among its 2,000 recorded ant species, 20 to 30 species are urban ants (tramp species). Native and introduced species are found and are not equally distributed in its 27 states. Camponotus species are found in the five regions that divide the country ...

Carpenter ants are major structural pests in the United States, Canada, and Scandinavian countries. With the advent of non-repellent chemicals and more attractive baits, shifts have occurred in management strategies that include either perimeter sprays or baiting as the sole method for control. Four...

The Argentine ants nest in the ground and forage into hundreds of trees and houses in the area. We investigated the effect of competition between Argentine ants and red imported fire ants. When equal numbers of Argentine ants and fire ants interacted, fire ants were more successful than Argentines, ...

Metaflumizone (proposed common name) is a high performance insecticide submitted for crop registration approval in the USA in 2004. Other key country registration submissions are expected to follow the USA application.Toxicological and environmental studies indicate that there is low risk to applica...

Three experimental gel matrices containing indoxacarb and three market-leading Maxforce gels containing either fipronil or hydramethylnon were evaluated and the roles of active ingredients and bait bases in the bait performance were examined against both lab susceptible and bait averse strains of Ge...

Commercial gel bait formulations, including two new formulations of indoxacarb (0.6% AI; RG2V3 and DPX411), were evaluated for efficacy against a "bait averse" strain of German cockroaches (Saginaw strain). Bait consumption and subsequent mortality of the Saginaw cockroaches were compared with that ...

As a result of the rapid rate of urbanization in Botswana, street food vending has become very popular as it supports a large number of the population with affordable, nutritious foods. There has been an associated increase in the number of cockroaches around vending sites in the streets. Cockroache...

Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile Say, is a pest ant with global distribution. The common name is derived from the emission of a substance with an odor similar to that of butyric acid. Polygynous colonies often associated with notably dynamic populations and multiple nesting sites make odorous hou...

Sucrose intake rate and percent effort (a variable which describes the amount of energy an insect uses to feed on a liquid) was quantified for Solenopsis invicta Buren. In other words, how much energy does the insect gain and how much energy is lost in the feeding event? In order to understand this ...

American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.), left undisturbed, often develop to enormous numbers and become major pests in sanitary sewers throughout much of the world. They are also domiciliary pests in many places, especially in southeast Asia. Moving from sewers, they often invade surroundin...

Barrier applications of sprays and granules have been widely used to control Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), around structures. Their activity against ants, especially the pyrethroids, has been ascribed to toxicity and repellency. Recent studies have shown that bifenthrin and cyfluthrin p...

Five insecticide bait formulations have been evaluated for their attractiveness to adults of Brown-banded Cockroach, Supella longipalpa (F.) in laboratory trials. The gel formulations contained one of the following active ingredients (a.i.): hydramethylnon, imidacloprid, fipronil. Tests were carried...

This study evaluated the effects of two commercially available products that have been used to supplement bait stations on feeding and tunneling behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. A bioassay was conducted to examine the effects of water-soluble chemicals e...

The RockPointe Condominium Complex in Chatsworth, California, USA, has had a long history of subterranean termite activity and termite-related homeowner complaints. A total of 7,327 Sentricon® stations were installed between October and December of 2001 along the perimeter of 134 buildings, and insp...

An area-wide management project to control the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (FST), in the New Orleans French Quarter (FQ) began in1998. Initially, all properties within fifteen square blocks were treated with either commercially available non-repellent termiticides o...

The influence of seasonal ground temperature and relative humidity on cellulose consumption by two native subterranean termite species was evaluated in South Carolina, USA. Seven colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar and six colonies of R. virginicus (Banks) were studied. In-ground plastic buck...

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a highly destructive invasive pest species in many tropical and subtropical regions. The survival of this termite is dependent on its gut microbes (protozoa and bacteria). Therefore, alternative strategies may be devised in the fu...

Pest Management Professionals had the opportunity to use new chemistry of non-repellent active ingredients (termiticides) for subterranean termite control. These active ingredients provide control through reduction of termite populations. The pest control industry has asked if the newer non-repellen...

Accurate species identification underlies all termite field studies and population genetic research. With more than 170 species of termites in Peninsular Malaysia, it has been challenging to elucidate proper taxonomic records among the species studied, particularly within the family Termitidae. This...

Five natural and 16 synthetic compounds were evaluated for termiticidal activity against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The naphthoquinones menadione, plumbagin, and juglone, and the benzoquinones thymoquinone, and coenzyme Q1 killed al...

This ongoing study in central North Carolina is making use of DNA technology (microsatellite genotyping) and long term monitoring to observe the immediate and prolonged effects of imidacloprid on subterranean termite colonies (Reticulitermes spp.) located inside and around residential structures. A ...

The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System (Ensystex Inc., Fayetteville, NC) was evaluated in field experiments in Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. Cellulose-acetate powder containing chlorfluazuron (RequiemTM) was tested for its efficacy in eliminating colonies of various mound-bui...

New Zealand has three species of native termites Kalotermes brouni, Stolotermes ruficeps and S. inopinus. In terms of destructive capability, these are of minor significance. Invasive Australian subterranean termites, specifically Coptotermes acinaciformis and C. frenchii hitchhiked into New Zealand...

Management of subterranean termites for past years depends mainly on cyclodiene and organophosphorous termiticides. During those years, these chemicals appeared to be the most suitable chemicals for controlling subterranean termite. However, public concern regarding environmental and health issues c...

Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Premise®, is a slow-acting, non-repellent termiticide used to control termites in residential and commercial applications. Workers acquire imidacloprid from contact with treated soil, and then transfer the AI among individuals throughout the colony. However, th...

Study on the efficacy of some soil termiticides available in Thailand market was made in order to evaluate their effectiveness to prevent the invasion of subterranean termites living underneath the buildings. Two methods representing construction practices widely used in the country were experimente...

Survey on mosquito larvae and pupae were carried out in construction sites and drains in Penang, Malaysia. Species of mosquito larvae were identified from these two habitats. Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegyptii were the dominant mosquito spp found in the construction sites. Different habitats during t...

Mosquito mats with active ingredient d-allethrin (36 mg/mat) and prallethrin (15 mg/mat) were tested in the laboratory against Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) using test method of the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia. Results indicated that KT50 values for d...

Twelve sites were sampled for the juvenile stages of mosquito populations and these yielded significant larval and pupal populations. The sites sampled, some close to Manchester Airport, and a number of other urban sites where there had been reported incidences of biting of humans. All sites had the...

This study was conducted with aim of investigation of malaria vector hematophagic tendencies base on seasonal activities as well as geographical region in a malaria endemic area, Kahnouj, south of Iran. It was conducted for 14 months from Apr. 2002 up to the end of May 2003. It was based on collecti...

A Musca domestica (L.) control method in final solid waste disposal areas (recycling and composting facility and waste transfer station) was developed. The application of two fly control products based on azamethiphos (Alfacron 10 Plus, a wettable powder containing 10% a.i. and Snip, a ready-to-use ...

A new technology is described for in-field dipping of conventional mosquito nets for long lasting efficacy by adding a polymer binder to the deltamethrin treatment. Various polymer binders vary greatly in their ability to improve the retention of deltamethrin on the fiber and ensure resistance of th...

Sublethal effects were studied at the parental and offspring stages which has been exposed to Bti at the larval stage (parental) in comparison to the control untreated group. Biological aspects inclusive of blood-engorgement rate and fecundity (number of eggs produced) of the parental stage were stu...

SumiOne® (common name metofluthrin, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxymethylbenzyl (E,Z) (1R,3R)-2,2dimethyl-3-(prop-1-enyl) cyclopropane carboxylate) is a novel vapor active pyrethroid that is effective against mosquitoes. Impregnated paper substrates have been shown to be effective at dispensing metofl...

In fly control, the development of new insecticidal compounds with oral action encourages the development of baits. Imidacloprid, which belongs to the chloronicotinyl class of compounds, is most active when it is ingested and it is used in fly control as a granule for application as scatter bait (Qu...

The insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen (Sumilarv 0.5 G) at the rate of 0.01 mg a.i./L was applied to gem pits as well as river and stream bed pools as a part of a large scale trial in a gem mining area in Sri Lanka. The results indicated pyriproxyfen inhibited emergence of the primary malaria vec...

Low-pressure vacuum applied to wood killed larvae of the old house borer, Hylotrupes bajulus. Mortality resulted from whole-body dehydration in the vacuum environment. Larvae were placed individually into sections of southern yellow pine (Pinus sp.) with MC of 12% and 23%, and low-pressure vacuum wa...

Aqueous solutions containing thiamethoxam were applied via foam and liquid to boards containing active infestations of the Western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor (Hagen)). Two sites each in northern and southern California were included in the study. Structures included in field evaluations con...

A number of previous studies have reported superior levels of efficacy for slow-acting, non-repellent toxicants in laboratory simulations against drywood termites, but very little research has been conducted in naturally infested wood. We utilized boards naturally infested with Cryptotermes brevis (...

The European Commission’s Biocidal Products Directive, Council Directive 98/8 EC (BPD), is the largest regulatory exercise ever to affect the urban pest control industry. Its impact is global because any company selling pest control products in the European Union must follow its principles. All acti...

Chronic infestations of house mice (Mus domesticus) are a common problem in urban areas within the UK, but little is known about the population dynamics of such populations. As a result of the high number of mouse infestations reported by local residents, an inner city area of Manchester, UK, was se...

As part of an investigation into the potential public health threats posed by infestations of the urban house mouse (Mus domesticus) in the UK, 200 mice were trapped and screened for the presence of a number of zoonotic diseases. Results indicated that none of the mice were infected with Strongyloid...

Nine species, 168 individuals of rodents were live trapped and examined for parasitic arthropods in 24 localities in khoramabad from July 2002 through May 2003. Seven species of ectoparasites were collected: 1 species of sucking lice (Anoplura), 3 species of fleas (Siphonaptera), immature stages of ...

Since first identified in the 1980’s, Lyme Disease has become the most widely diagnosed vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme Disease occurs from the infection of human and animal hosts by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection of hosts results from the bite and completion of a succ...

Two spiders of possible medical importance in the Pacific Northwest were chosen for this study: the hobo spider, Tegenaria agrestis, male and female, and the black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, female. Three management strategies were investigated with chemicals applied to the substrate, spider webbi...

The article reviews insectoacaricidal formulations authorized for use in the Russian Federation during the period of 1992-2004, with a number of conclusions followed from the review. It recorded a stable interest to the containerized aerosols and emulsifiable concentrates, consistent growth of ecolo...

European Wasp, Vespula germanica (F.), was first noted in Tasmania in 1959, and in Victoria in 1977. It is now widespread over the cooler and wetter areas of the southern part of Australia. The Australian winters are mild, and whole nests can overwinter leading to high wasp populations in some place...

A study was conducted in the urban areas of Kuala Lumpur using CDC light trap, dog-baited trap and human landing collection to determine the vectors. Eleven species of mosquitoes were obtained, of which only Aedes albopictus, Armigeres subalbatus and Culex quinquefasciatus were in significant number...

Tick-borne relapsing fever (RF) is considered to be caused by the spirochaete Borrelia persica, transmitted to humans by Ornithodorus tholozani, and is a notifiable disease in Israel. Between 1980 and 2002, 184 cases were reported, i.e. an average of eight cases per year (range 0-16). Among them, ab...

Physiological factors related to bait aversion in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. We compared the metabolic rates, respiration patterns, and taste receptor perceptions of control and bait averse German cockroaches. Both strains...

Bait aversion is a behavioral avoidance phenomenon, whereupon some naturally and/or artificially (e.g. toxic baits) selected Blattella germanica genotypes become less responsive to or completely avoid certain phagostimulatory food ingredients. Cases of avoidance behaviors, including associative lear...

Bait consumption is a complex interaction of behaviors and physiology / biochemistry mechanisms. It starts with a single premise that the response to a shortage or an impending shortage of nutrients required for maintenance, growth and development. Shortages may be acute such as a daily requirement,...

Insecticide resistance in insects is a well-documented phenomenon that is equally related to toxicology and evolutionary biology. Insecticide resistance in the German cockroach has a long history dating back over 60 years. Thus, the recent evolution of gel bait aversion resistance is but one example...

Behavior is modulated by both learned and innate factors, and the heritability of behavior has been documented in several arthropod taxa. Certain behaviors have evolved following selection with toxicants. One such behavior that is adaptive to the German cockroach is glucose aversion, which is contro...

Task-switching between foraging and building in workers of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Termitidae), a subterranean, mound-building termite, was investigated using mark-recapture. Foragers were collected from wood-filled drums and marked with Nile blue, whereas builders were collected from the mound by d...

Tunnel construction by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki is initially random, with tunnels radiating outward in a uniform circular distribution from the point of origin. The degree of branching of these tunnels may be species- specific, and reflect the pattern of occurrence of food resources in differe...

Unlike insects foraging above ground where individuals can explore over an area and then lay a recruitment trail for others to follow, subterranean termites search for food by constructing underground tunnels. Studies have showed that termite tunnel orientations are affected by physical irregulariti...

The regulatory process in the United States, as it pertains to termite management, is charged with the dual responsibilities of environmental stewardship and consumer protection. These two important roles can only be accomplished using sound scientific data as the foundation of the decision-making p...

Compliance costs in the pesticide industry have grown considerably. This has been driven by new scientific methods used to assess pesticide risk and exposure. At the same time advances in computer technology and the Internet have lent credibility to data harmonization such that the industry goal of ...

Pesticides and their use are regulated on both federal and state levels in the Unites States. A federal registration for a pesticide product must be obtained after the product has shown that it is safe to use according to the guidelines set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ...

An outline of the role of, and the mechanism used by mosquitoes in transmission of the diseases dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever and West Nile encephalitis is discussed. The history of combative measures such as mass spraying and the importance of personal protection and the various products avai...

The effectiveness of insecticide formulations for public health pests is the key towards the success of vector control programmes. Evaluation of the efficacy of the abovementioned insecticide formulations by independent research institutes is very important before it can be registered and commercial...