Durability of a Novel Durable Bait for Control of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Results of Five-Year Field Aging Studies

Abstract

A durable termite bait containing 0.5% noviflumuron was evaluated for physical durability, retention of active ingredient, consumption by termites, and toxicity to termites over 5 yr in field studies at locations in Indiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Plots in Indiana and Mississippi included both natural rainfall and irrigated plots, while plots in South Carolina received only natural rainfall. Samples collected every 3 mo for the first 4 yr were evaluated for consumption with a 7 d no-choice bioassay using Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Consumption and toxicity of 5 yr samples were evaluated in similar bioassays conducted for 42 d. Durable baits received from field sites had some cracking, and a small amount of external flaking, but no major deterioration based on visual observation. There were no significant differences in noviflumuron concentration over the 5-yr period and no trend toward reduced concentrations of noviflumuron over time. Consumption of aged durable baits over 4 yr was variable, but termites usually consumed more aged durable bait than fresh durable bait and the differences were frequently significant. There were some exceptions, but termites consumed significantly more fresh durable bait than aged durable bait in only 4% of observations. When 5 yr samples were evaluated, consumption was lowest for fresh durable bait and termites consumed significantly more aged durable bait from irrigated plots in Indiana and from both natural and irrigated plots in Mississippi than fresh durable bait. Survival of termites fed blank durable bait was significantly higher than that for termites fed any of the baits containing noviflumuron and there were no significant differences in survival among the noviflumuron durable baits. Our results suggest that the bait would be durable for at least 5 yr and possibly longer under most environmental conditions.

Seasonal Changes in the Caste Distribution of Foraging Populations of Formosan Subterranean Termite in New Orleans, Louisiana

“…These results indicate that it is necessary to improve bait technology to maximize consumption of bait toxins by foraging populations of C. formosanus . Advances in the development of durable and fluid baits may provide better control of C. formosanus infestations than standard bait stations where rapid depletion of bait is a problem ( Eger et al. 2014 ; Su 2015 ).…”

Benzoylurea Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors

“…56 The half-life of diflubenzuron ranges from hours to months, that of novaluron in tropical soils ranges from 11 to 59 days, 56j and noviflumuron and chlorfluazuron do not readily break down in the environment. 57 The metabolites of BPUs may have adverse effects to humans. For example, diflubenzuron is quickly degraded in the environment mainly by hydrolysis and photodegradation, producing as major metabolites 2,6-difluorobenzamide, 4-chlorophenylurea, 4-chloroacetanilide, 4-chloroaniline, and N-methyl-4-chloroaniline, the latter three being classified as mutagens.…”

Assessing colony elimination in multicolonial ants: Estimating field efficacy of insecticidal baits against the invasive dark rover ant (Brachymyrmex patagonicus)

“…One advantage of using baits over a broad‐spectrum insecticide is that they are formulated to exclude many nontarget species 13 . Additionally, advances in bait formulations have lowered the costs associated with bait application and monitoring, allowing for increased versatility with this approach to pest management 14–18 …”