One of the biological agents, which cause major damage to wood in Spain, is the subterranean termites. The systems used for controlling termites don’t eradicate them, and the products presently used to treat wood against them, due to their toxicity and their persistence in the environment, could be prohibited in the near future in Europe as consequence of the 98/8/EC Directive (usually called the Biocide Directive). On the other hand, the European Standards on termites stipulate one colony of 250 insects per block test, for a duration period of 8 weeks. Thus, for the study of new wood protectors, it should be interesting to have an accelerated method, in order to screen new products faster. The aim of this paper has been to elaborate a fast and reproducible method demonstrating the effectiveness of new preservatives, using fewer termites in a shorter period. We used physical and physical-chemical barriers, active barriers with no repellent effect, acting on the physiology of the insects, and baits impregnated with low toxicity insecticides or with biological products. The results obtained show that the methods seems to work quite well, and could be used to test new protectors, before applying the agreed standard, and if feasible, patents filed.

Download document (85 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document