U.S. Forest Service termiticide tests

Abstract

The U.S. Forest Service has been testingchemicals for termite control since 1939. Today its termiticide testing program is nationally recognized for providing unbiased efficacy data for product registration using standardized tests, sites, and evaluation procedures. Virtually all termiticides undergo Forest Service testing before being registered by EPA. Termiticides undergo 18-24 months of laboratory screening before going to the field. Based on the concrete slab test, termiticides are considered effective in the field at the lowest concentration(s) that prevent termites from penetrating treated soil in 10 plots at each site for at least five years. Sites are located in Arizona, Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina. Results provide a benchmark to compare and assess new and existing products. Because termite control is no longer limited to repellent or contact chemical barriers, tests are also performed on non-repellent delayed-action termiticides, barriers, and wood products. Some of the new products have novel effects on termite biology, ecology, and behavior that require new evaluation procedures. The Forest Service presently has 26 funded agreements with industry involving laboratory screening of three termiticides and field evaluations of 20 tenniticides and four impregnated barriers. We also continued to monitor plots on five termiticides and two physical barriers from past (expired) agreements. Marketed termiticides being tested by the Forest Service include bifenthrin (Biflexa®), chlorpyrifos, cypennethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin (Dragneta® and Torpedoa®), imidacloprid (Premise®)and fipronil (Termidorm®)Candidate termiticides include chlorfenapyr, cyfluthrin (Tempo®), nd deltamethrin².

Citation

Wagner, Terence, L. 2003. U.S. Forest Service termiticide tests. Sociobiology Vol. 41(1): 131-141