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Termite Control Method.
Context:
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a highly effective, nontoxic, and inexpensive way to kill western dry wood termites.
More on News:
- The Journal of Economic Entomology explains a method using pinene.
- A pleasant-smelling chemical from forests, to attract western drywood termites to an insecticide-injected spot in wood.
- UCR entomologists discovered significant differences in death rates between insecticide alone and insecticide plus pinene
- With pinene increasing mortality rates from 70% to over 95%.
Key Highlights:
- Termites and Their Impact:
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- Western drywood termites are native to North America and play an essential role as recyclers in ecosystems.
- The inability to differentiate between dead trees and wood used in homes poses a significant threat to dwelling in warmer regions.
- Areas at high risk include California, Florida, parts of Canada, and Mexico.
- Traditional Approach:
- Fumigation involves covering homes with tents and using sulfuryl fluoride gas to kill termites.
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- This method is costly, harmful to humans, and not a long-lasting solution.
- Greener Alternative: Pinene and Localised Injection:
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- UC Riverside researchers use a localised injection strategy that avoids gas.
- Technicians drill holes into the infested wood to reach the termite “gallery” or lair, then inject poison into the hole to inundate the bugs.
- Pinene attracts termites by reminding them of their food. When combined with insecticide, it significantly increases termite mortality rates.
- UC Riverside researchers use a localised injection strategy that avoids gas.
- Advantages of Localised Injection:
- Less Chemical Usage: Requires fewer chemicals compared to fumigation.
- Cost-Effective: It is a more affordable option.
- Lasting Protection: Treated wood may stay protected from future infestations.
Environmental Friendliness: Pinene is a natural compound, making it a greener alternative.
About Termite:
- Isoptera means “equal wings” is a small insect order comprising 31 orders, with approximately 2650 species described.
- They are social insects that feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials.
- They have a well-developed caste system that includes workers, soldiers, and reproductives, each with specific roles within the colony.
- The primary reproductives include the king and queen.
- The colony relies on specific reproducers for mating and egg-laying, while supplementary reproducers may also be employed when necessary for survival and growth.
- They are often called “white ants” due to their white colour but are more closely related to cockroaches and mantises.
- Usually white but can be black, reddish-brown, or yellow in tropical areas.
- Found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, from forests to savannas and arid areas.
- Termite biomass can reach up to 10 grams per square meter.
- They play a crucial role in decomposing dead plant material, converting cellulose into nitrogen-rich biomass.
- They form a significant part of the food web, feeding many animals from ants to primates.
- Termites modify soil properties by building mounds and underground galleries, creating diverse habitats for other species.
- Due to their wood-digesting capabilities, termites can cause significant economic damage and are considered major pests in some parts of the world.
- They emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases like methane and CO2.
- Their high biomass and role in greenhouse gas emissions may influence global environmental changes.