Laboratory bioassays of termiticides, including wood preservatives, aim to give an indication of the likely concentrations effective in preventing damage to timber products and other materials in the field. In laboratory bioassays field conditions should be simulated as closely as possible. With a wide range of procedures in use around the world it may often be difficult to compare results between laboratories. Standardizing a number of principles could provide a solution to this problem. We discuss several topics of termite biology, pointing either to limitations in the extent to limitation in the extent to which standardization can be achieved or to the need for further collaborative research between laboratories: optimal physical environment for the test termites; variations in termite vigour and behaviour between colonies of a given species; origin of test termites, i.e. from feeding sites (traps) or the nest; group size; correlation between the size of test timber specimens and feeding activity of the termites; test duration. Satisfactory standardization of bioassays with subterranean termites, if it can be achieved, is a more complex and involved endeavour than implied from discussions at recent IRG meetings.

Download document (1.3 Mb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document