Seven standardized laboratory tests with termites were evaluated. The bioassays were made in accordance with EN 117, SAA32 E08, SAA32 E09, Ebw 02, the American Wood-Preservers’ Association (AWPA) Standard E1-97, the Japan Wood Preserving Association (JWPA) Standard 11 (1) and The Protocols for Assessment of Wood Preservatives. Two different wood preservatives each in three concentrations and additional untreated controls were tested. The test species was Reticulitermes spp., one of the most important economic genera of subterranean termites in Europe. Results and observations about evaluation and practicability of these investigations are used for a proposed ISO laboratory test for preservatives. After the introduction, we provide an overview of the biology, distribution and economic effect of the pests. Results indicate that the wood preservatives acid copper chromate (ACC) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), which were tested at retentions of 1.50 kg/m3, 3.00 kg/m3 and 6.00 kg/m3 , have different thresholds (mass loss of lower than five percent) to prevent attack by Reticulitermes spp. ACC showed thresholds between 3.00 kg/m3 and 6.00 kg/m3 in most tests. With DDAC, the threshold level was achieved at retentions between 1.50 kg/m3 to 3.00 kg/m3. We conclude that a laboratory test duration of four weeks with a termite group of 150 to 200 workers and a medium sample dimension of approximately 25 x 25 x 6 mm is sufficient.
Keywords: laboratory test methods, termite tests, ACC, DDAC, effectiveness of the termiticides, EN 117, Reticulitermes spp