Evaluation of the reduced risk product, Altriset® termiticide, to control Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in trees

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, has become a pest of major economic importance in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana since its introduction following World War II.  It is a cryptic species, know to cause considerable damage to structures and infest live trees.  This species has even supplanted the native populations of subterranean termites within the city and has become the most economically important structural pest in New Orleans.  For this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Altriset^TM termiticide for controlling tree infestations of Formosan subterranean termites.  Trees exhibiting active Formosan subterranean termite infestations were selected for one of the following four different treatments:  Altriset^TM termiticide at a concentration of 0.05%, Altriset^TM termiticide at a concentration of 0.1%, Arilon^TM insecticide at a concentration of 0.05%, or control without any active ingredient.  For each treatment, foam was applied to the interior voids within each tree and the area surrounding the base of each tree was trenched and treated with liquid termiticide.  Infestations of termites within the trees were monitored using a video borescope system, and all trees were inspected at one month, three months, six months and one year after treatment.  Our results show that following treatment with Altriset^TM and Arilon^TM, all trees exhibited a decrease in termite activity, and 23 out of 30 trees exhibited no termite activity during the subsequent inspections.  Its performance as a commercial treatment will be discussed.