Managing subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the midwest with a hexaflumuron bait and placement considerations around structures

Michael F. Potter, Eileen A. Eliason, Kevin Davis, Ricardo T. Bessin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Wooden stakes and commercial Sentricon stations (Dow Agro-Sciences, Indianapolis, IN) were used to monitor seasonal activity and foraging location of Reticulitermes spp.(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), around 46 residential structures in Kentucky. Termite activity in below-ground monitors was highest from spring through fall, with little activity during winter. Although certain parameters of the landscape (e.g., shade, ground cover) were associated with a higher incidence of attack, results were inconsistent, suggesting that commercial bait installers will have difficulty predicting where termites are located underground. The findings also bring into question whether it is advisable to selectively install below-ground monitors around houses in areas arbitrarily deemed 'conducive' to termite foraging. Established structural infestations of subterranean termites were, by visual determination, eliminated from 21 of 23 houses using hexaflumuron bait and the Sentricon® Colony Elimination System. De-infestation of one house was further confirmed by monitoring with an acoustic emission detector. The structures were subsequently protected for more than 3 years by monitoring and re-baiting as needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)565-584
Number of pages20
JournalSociobiology
Volume38
Issue number3 B
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Bait
  • Microclimate
  • Placement
  • Seasonality
  • Subterranean termite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science

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