IRG Documents Database and Compendium


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A method and apparatus for rapid assessment of termite barriers.
2007 - IRG/WP 07-20366
This paper describes an apparatus for rapid assessment of barriers to subterranean termite foraging. The method and apparatus arose from the development of a novel physical termite barrier. The barrier had to be flexible, resilient, able to be applied as a liquid and be neither toxic nor repellent. This posed a special problem as existing laboratory assessment techniques did not offer a sufficient...
D McG Ewart


Granitgard used as a partial and perimeter barrier in the protection of buildings against subterranean termites
1995 - IRG/WP 95-10114
The graded granite subterranean termite physical barrier, commercially marketed as Granitgard, has a Certificate of National Accreditation issued by the Australian Building Codes Board, and is included in Australian Standards. After several years in developing the specifications and installation techniques for Granitgard, it may be used to protect almost all footing designs. Granitgard can be simp...
D M Ewart, J R J French


Techniques for field assessment of particulate termite barriers
2000 - IRG/WP 00-10376
Field testing of particulate termite barriers poses problems different from those encountered when testing preservatives or soil termiticides. To ensure an adequate level of challenge, and minimise the risk of a Type II error, the experimental design must promote termite activity and provide a significant, readily detectable, food source which can only be reached by penetrating the test barrier. I...
D M Ewart, E R Rawlinson


Development of a Granitgard® particulate termite barrier for use in tropical Australia
1997 - IRG/WP 97-10190
Granitgard® is superficially simple technology; graded crushed aggregate, sieved to a size range impenetrable to subterranean termites. However, behind this apparent simplicity lies a large research effort. In this paper we describe the laboratory development of a grading of Granitgard suitable for use against the wide range of termites which attack timber in northern Australia, above the Tropic ...
D M Ewart, E R Rawlinson, A D Tolsma, G C Irvin, P R Wiggins


Termite barriers for new construction
2000 - IRG/WP 00-10341
Subterranean termite protection in Australia has traditionally relied upon the creation of a zone of poisoned soil under and around the structure to prevent termite attack from the ground. The transition away from persistent soil poisons which began with the withdrawal of cyclodienes in 1995 provided market opportunities for innovative barrier systems. The new barrier systems currently being used ...
D M Ewart


Estimation of the population of a sound colony of Coptotermes lacteus (Froggatt)
1988 - IRG/WP 1353
Selecting an area with a high termite hazard is deemed essential in locating field sites in order to screen potential termiticides and wood preservatives. Yet, quantifying termite populations in such sites remains imprecise. There are major problems associated with estimating populations of termites in mound colonies (either free-standing or in trees), and these are briefly discussed. In this pape...
D M Ewart, J R J French


Bait box technique for remedial subterranean termite contro
1995 - IRG/WP 95-10115
The bait box technique, as described in this paper, was first used as a method to apply the dust toxicant, arsenic trioxide, to large numbers of aggregated subterranean termites. Over the last twelve years or so the technique has been refined, and in recent years, gained acceptance as an alternative subterranean termite control measure by members of the Australian pest control industry. This baiti...
J R J French, B M Ahmed, D M Ewart


Temperature studies on two mounds of Coptotermes lacteus (Isoptera)
1986 - IRG/WP 1295
The temperatures within and around two Coptotermes lacteus mounds located in a cleared and shaded forest site in a dry sclerophyll forest in central Gippsland were monitored. Hourly temperature measurements were recorded at each mound over a 24 h period in spring, summer and winter respectively. Regardless of site, Coptotermes lacteus maintained the core temperatures in the nursery area much highe...
D M Ewart, J R J French


The gaseous environment of Coptotermes lacteus mound colonies before and after mirex treatment
1989 - IRG/WP 1396
While monitoring the halocarbon and hydrocarbon emissions from a dry sclerophyll eucalypt forest in central Gippsland, similar emissions were collected from within several Coptotermes lacteus mound colonies. Samples of the gases (hydrocarbons) from within the mounds were collected before, during and after treatment with mirex-treated wood-decay blocks. All the mirex-treated mounds died within two ...
J R J French, R A Rasmussen, D M Ewart, M A K Khalil


Managing termite risks – An Australian perspective and a cautionary tale
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20482
The management of the risks of termite attack on new buildings in Australia falls to a range of agencies and is mostly achieved through controlling the process by which structures are certified as complying with the Building Code of Australia. Australian Standard AS3660 parts 1, 2 & 3 have historically been the core of this function but now the Building Codes Board's own certification scheme,...
D Ewart