Use of biological and low toxicity products against subterranean termites

IRG/WP 09-20410

M T Troya, M J Prieto, F Rubio

The climatology of Mediterranean countries is favourable to the development of termites that cause important damage to wood structures in both furniture and buildings. Until a few years ago the treatment for this type of insect was based on the impregnation of the wood with chemical products. The use of these chemicals is now being restricted in Europe since the publication and harmonization of national legislations of Member States to Biocides Directive 98/8 CE. Conversely, the European Standardization Committee only considers preventative effectiveness tests for traditional chemical products against termites. For these reasons, this work studies the effectiveness of low toxicity products and products of a biological origin using various methodologies (physical-chemical barriers, active barriers, baits and treated wood) with the intention of evaluating the possible substitution of the most ecologically aggressive chemical products as well as to introduce new methods applicable to future Standards against subterranean termites. The obtained results have showed that almost all the tested products could be substitutes of traditional chemical compounds, opening a way of research to new lines in Standardization.


Keywords: subterranean termites, low toxicity products, biological products, Pre-Standard methodologies, physical-chemical barriers, active barriers

Conference: 09-05-24/28 Beijing, China


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