Effect of treating above-ground tunnels with RTU dry Termidor on eastern subterranean termite populations (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Ready-to-use (RTU) Dry Termidor was evaluated for efficacy in controlling eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), in a laboratory study when aboveground foraging tubes were treated directly. Termite populations were placed in glass bioassay units containing moist soil, and wood blocks (southern yellow pine) as a food source. A mixture of RTU Dry Termidor and fluorescent blaze orange pigment powder was randomly injected into one (treatment 1), or two (treatment 2), established above-ground tunnels. The fluorescent blaze orange pigment powder alone was the treatment for the control bioassay and was injected into one established above-ground tunnel. Bioassay units were monitored for termiticide transfer and termite movement using by both visual inspection and the Termatrac T3i Termite Detection Device until no movement was detected. In treatment 1, the transfer of RTU Dry Termidor ceased 2 d post treatment. In treatment 2 transfer of RTU Dry Termidor ceased within 10 h. Termite movement ceased after 5 d for both treatments. Dissection of the bioassay units revealed 100% mortality within treatment 2, while treatment 1 had a few live/paralyzed workers and soldiers that were hiding in a feeding gallery inside the wood blocks. Our results provided strong evidence for the efficacy of RTU Dry Termidor formulation in controlling R. flavipes populations when two above tunnels were treated.