The efficacy of Fipronil as an insecticide has been established by laboratory and field experiments and commercial use against a broad range of insect pests for various crops. It can be used by either foliar or soil application. Development is underway for the non-agricultural uses of fipronil. Research is ongoing for the control of ants, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, houseflies, mosquitoes, termites and other pests. Several countries in the world have experienced extensive termites damage. The protection of structural and non-structural cellulosic products against termites may be required in the near future. With the increase uses of wood composites in wide ranging applications, protection against termites will represent one of the criteria of material selection. Fipronil was added in the formulation of adhesive during the laboratory manufacture of plywood and oriented strand board. The average MOE and MOR from of plywood was about 1.1 to 1.2 million psi and 8000 to 9100 psi, respectively. Shear strength and wood failure varies from 191.6 to 239.9 psi and 73% to 92%, respectively. Analyses of variance showed that statistically there were no significant different of all properties tested between fipronil concentration (0 - 375 ppm) at 5% level. This study indicates that fipronil has no affect on MOE and MOR under bending regime, and on the shear strength and the wood failure. After 18 months above and ground contact exposure in Gainesville, Florida, a level of 150 to 200 ppm successfully control the termite attack.

Download document (280 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document