Insecticidal dusts have been used against termites for decades, with arsenic dust being the standard in Australia. While fair success over the years has been achieved against genera such as Coptotermes and Nasutitermes, Schedorhinotermes has been much more difficult to control. This genus has nests which are very difficult to locate and thus it is problematic to determine whether a treatment has been successful. Work carried out during 1997-99 tested an 80% triflumuron dust against activity of Schedorhinotermes intermedius. Termites at 20 sites, were treated in either their active workings; or in wood monitors placed in areas of known activity. Termite activity was monitored by a thorough inspection of the property at each visit. In all but one case, termite activity ceased within 10 months and did not re-appear during the 18 months study period. At many sites activity was gone within 4 months. A second dusting helped control other colonies. Triflumuron dust appears to be very effective in controlling this species even when only relatively low numbers of termites are treated.

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