Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194605
Title: AREA-WIDE MANAGEMENT OF SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES USING BAITS IN SOUTH MISSISSIPPI

Author
item ROJAS, M.G. - USDA/ARS/NATIONAL BIOLOGI
item MORALES-RAMOS, J.A. - USDA/ARS/NATIONAL BIOL.CO
item LOCKWOOD, M.E. - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.
item ETHERIDGE, L. - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.
item CARROLL, J.B. - USDA/ARS/SMALL FRUITS
item COKER, C.H. - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.
item KNIGHT, P.R. - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Agricultural Research Service Station Bulletin
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2006
Publication Date: 4/15/2008
Citation: Rojas, M., Morales-Ramos, J., Lockwood, M., Etheridge, L., Carroll, J., Coker, C., Knight, P. 2008. Area-wide management of subterranean termites using baits in South Mississippi. Agricultural Research Service Station Bulletin pp. 1-42.

Interpretive Summary: The Formosan subterranean termite (FST) (Coptotermes formosanus) is an imported pest in the USA. This insect is causing extensive damage to houses and trees in the Greater New Orleans area and 14 other US states with annual losses in the millions of dollars. The improvement of baiting systems is important because give us the tools required to increase control and reduce the amount of toxins incorporated in to the soil. The objectives of this research work was to determine the feasibility of controlling subterranean termites under an area wide management in an urban environment, using a nutritionally enhanced bait matrix as carrier of slow acting chemicals toxic to subterranean termite.

Technical Abstract: The use of baits in an area-wide suppression scheme was evaluated under field conditions at Keeler Air Base Force, Biloxi, MS against infestations of Formosan subterranean (VEST) termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) and/or native subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks). The bait active ingredient, diflubenzuron, was delivered via the USDA-ARS bait matrix formulation. Quarterra interception and baiting systems were used for bait delivery. Test sites were selected based on 2000 alate data. The test area consisted of 12 neighborhoods, six treated and six controls. One hundred and fifty stations per site were installed in a grid pattern, around structures, trees, and shrubs. Every fifth station in each site was designated as an independent monitor. Pair comparison between treatment and control was done. This test was designated to evaluate the feasibility of controlling subterranean termites under an area-wide management strategy using a nutritionally based bait matrix as the active ingredient carrier. Temperature, termite activity and bait consumption were measured monthly from April 2001 to October 2003. Formosan subterranean termite activity stopped in April 2004.