Community-wide suppression of R. flavipes from Endeavor, Wisconsin – Search for the Holy Grail
IRG/WP 08-10674
F Green III, R A Arango, G R Esenther
In 2006, the Forest Products Laboratory, in collaboration with Alternative Pest Solutions Inc. and the UW-Madison Entomology department, developed a strategy for sustained suppression/elimination of R. flavipes from Endeavor, Wisconsin. Our commitment includes a minimum of five years of active treatment followed by at least one year of monitoring. The Whitmire Micro-Gen Advance baiting system (a.i. 0.25% diflubenzuron) was chosen to be the main method of termite treatment in the Village as the collaborating pest control company had access to this system. The efficacy of these baiting treatment cartridges were assessed in field and laboratory situations. Initial results after the first treatment season suggested a significant effect of the active ingredient on R. flavipes populations as activity in the buildings located in the central treatment zone appeared to be eliminated. However, the two following treatment seasons seemed to show reduced effectiveness of the baiting cartridges in controlling termite populations. In order to improve the efficacy of the commercial bait system, supplementary termiticidal dusts were tested including: borates, N’N-napthaloylhydroxylamine, zinc and boron oxide (nanoparticles) as well as dusting with the Micro-Gen cartridge itself. Liquid fipronil was also examined. Although preliminary laboratory tests involving dusting with N’N-napthaloylhydroxylamine did not show the dust to transfer to undusted termites, subsequent field and laboratory tests support this compound for used with commercial systems in treatment of northern colonies of R. flavipes.