In May 1998, an established infestation of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes lucifugus subsp. grassei) was found in a semi-rural, coastal setting in Saunton, North Devon. Surveys and monitoring revealed a discrete, highly localised infestation extending over some 2400 square metres. There is some evidence that the termites were imported accidentally possibly more than 30 years previously. Within this zone two timber-framed houses surrounded by paving, outbuildings, mixed woodland, bracken, lawns and gardens were affected. This paper describes the decisions and actions that followed this discovery, and includes progress-to-date in a programme of control launched in June 1998 which aims ultimately to eradicate the infestation. The programme involves a consortium comprised of the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the BRE-CTTC, Imperial College (University of London), Dow AgroSciences and the Natural Resources Institute (University of Greenwich). The initial eradication effort involved intensive use of the SentriTech and Sentricon systems which achieved high recruitment into the pre-baits of the former system, but low bait consumption by this particular termite community. Subsequent laboratory studies showed that this bait avoidance was caused by a non-preference for the cellulose bait matrix as well as some apparent sensitivity to hexaflumuron, the active ingredient in the baits. During the winter of 1998-99, new baits were developed, based on a timber matrix and including a fungal 'masking' agent which reduced the repellency of the baits. These baits were installed in a prophylactic system from March 1999 and a marked decline in termite abundance and extent was evident from July 1999, with very few or no termites detected in monitoring devices from October 1999. The paper describes the on-going strategy of continuous monitoring into and beyond 2000.

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