Future termite control requires partnership between industry, government and people

IRG/WP 06-10586

J R J French, B M Ahmed

Given the behaviour of the pest control industry, together with the housing and timber industries, and performance of the State regulatory agencies, it is not surprising that all of these groups were philosophically ill-prepared to consider alternative measures in June 1995. However, conditions have altered and there is an awareness of such alternatives. In future, termiticides will have properties and characteristics vastly different from the chemicals previously used as termiticides in the ‘organochlorine-era’. Thus, innovative, flexible and performance based evaluative methods are required to screen potential termiticides that may act as bait, dust, or soil barrier toxicants. Furthermore, physical barrier methods will need to be coupled with chemical systems. Suggestions are offered for the pest control industry, government, the building and the timber industries and the general public to pursue and engage in an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to termite control based on sound ecological parameters and social priorities. These include adopting a mix of alternative strategies as mentioned above, plus planning to ensure continuous funding for termite R&D and training and education programs necessary to supply ‘termite expertise’ in the future. Screening and evaluation methods of new generation termiticide have to be flexible and considerate of the ecological impact. The assessors would require having a broader knowledge than just termiticide toxicity data and termite control.


Keywords: subterranean termites, termiticides, IPM Strategies, training.

Conference: 06-06-18/22 Tromsoe, Norway


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