Laboratory assessments of materials against termites aim to give an indication of the likely performance of materials in the field. To meet this objective, test procedures have to provide the conditions that promote the most vigorous activity of the insects. Implications of recent findings on inter- and intracolony variability in vigour, the need to monitor termite activity with differing types of controls, defining more closely the optimal physical environment for each species of termite, and the severity of laboratory trials are discussed. It is further noted that the potential of new test methods needs to be explored and closer attention needs to be given to features of the biology of termites during the design of bioassays, especially in situations of limited termite supplies.

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