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Persistence of termiticides in soil inside and outside miniature concrete foundations (Isoptera)

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A cooperative study of termiticide longevity was initiated in 1990 between the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO), termiticide manufacturers, and the USDA Forest Service. By-the-label applications of seven termiticides were made to soil in trenches inside and outside miniature concrete foundations, and soil samples were collected at 1,30,60,120,180,240,300,360,734,1057,1420,3650, and 4380 d after application. Termiticide residues were fitted using a logistic dose-response model. Half-lives of termiticides in soil in trenches inside and outside foundations (combined data) were: chlorpyrifos, Dursban TC (1,254 d); fenvalerate, FT (488 d); cypermethrin, Demon TC (399 d); isofenfos, Pryfon 6(301 d); and permethrin, Torpedo (138 d). Laboratory bioassays conducted 12 y after initial termiticide application showed that chlorpyrifos, applied at 1.0% AI, elicited the greatest termite mortality compared with the other termiticides. Combining inside and outside trench data for each termiticide, termites penetrated to a depth of 26.0±6.3 mm through Dursban - treated soil. Fenvalerate applied at 0.5% was the most effective pyrethroid at preventing penetration, restricting termite penetration to a depth of 16.1±5.5 mm of the treated soil.

Keywords

termites, termiticide residue, termite mortality

Citation

Mulrooney, J.E.; Wagner, T.L.; Kard, B.M.; Gerard, P.D. 2006. Persistence of termiticides in soil inside and outside miniature concrete foundations (Isoptera). Sociobiology, Vol. 48(1): 117-133
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/24588