URBAN ENTOMOLOGY(1+1)
Prepared by
Kamaraj Dharmalingam
Termites(white ants)
Order: Isoptera (Latin name :equal wing)
Social insects
Small,white,tan or black insects.
They form nests or colonies
Consists different individuals(castes).
(Queen, king, soldiers, and workers)
Important termite families:
Mastotermitidae
Kalotermitidae
Termopsidae
Hodotermitidae
Rhinotermitidae
Serritermitidae
Termitidae
Detection and Identification
Termite adults are sometimes
confused with winged forms of
ants .
Adult reproductive stages of
both ants & termites leave their
nests in large numbers to
establish new colonies.
Distinguished by checking 3
features: antennae, wings, and
abdomen.
Termites as Structural Pests
Damage structural timber and other materials in
structures.
Household furniture, paper products, many synthetic
materials and food items.
Each year thousands of structures (bridges, dams,
decks, homes, retaining walls, roads, utility
poles,underground cables & pipes) require treatment for
the management of termites.
Termite damages:
mud foraging tubes Damaged wood
on walls hollowed out along the
grain
Damaged timbers
Where you will find termites?
Groups of termites
Dampwood Termites
Drywood Termites
Subterranean Termites
Characters Dampwood Drywood Subterranean
termites termites termites
Source of Moist wood Dry, undecayed Foundation and
infestation wood, including structural support
structural lumber wood.
& dead limbs of
native trees.
Habitat cool, humid areas low moisture moist
along the coast requirement, environments.
Can tolerate dry
conditions .
contact with soil not necessary Not contact with maintains
(when infested soil. connection with
wood is high in soil through
moisture) tunnels in wood
or through
shelter tubes.
Families Termopsidae & Kalotermitidae Rhinotermitidae
Kalotermitidae
Termite Management Systems in
buildings & structures
Design of a Building
Preservative-treated Timber Products
Physical Barriers
Termiticide Applications to Soil and Non-soil Substrates
TTR(Trap –Treat –Release)
Baiting Systems
Space Fumigation
Thermal Control
Biological Control
Design of a Building
Avoid the use of wooden or other cellulose forms,
spacers, and fill materials.
All wood (substructure, siding, doorframe, etc.) should
be at least 30 cm above the soil.
Materials used for siding or cladding of buildings must be
kept from contact with soil at the foundation to prevent
termites.
Ensure that attachments to buildings do not provide
shelter or a hidden point of entry for termites.
Cont……
Utility & service boxes may have to be sealed,
downpipes and service pipes, steps, porches, ramps,
trellises, air-conditions, etc., are to be separated from the
building so that full inspection is possible.
Preservative-treated Timber
Products:
Susceptible wood termite resistant material by
treating it with chemical toxicants (wood preservatives).
Inhibit feeding by termites.
Active ingredients : creosote & pentachlorophenol.
Borates are in popularity b/z their low mammalian
toxicity, water solubility, & ease of application.
Pressure treatment is always favored over topical
applications.
Care should be taken, to ensure that all exposed wood is
treated
Use of resistant timbers
Syncarpia glomulifera (Turpentine Tree)
Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress)
Timbers that are immune to termite damage,
Physical Barriers
(pre-construction treatments)
Two types: 1)Graded particles 2)Sheet materials.
1) Particle barriers: sand, crushed rocks such as granite
and basalt or crushed glass .
2)Sheet materials: solid metals or woven stainless steel
mesh.
Barriers can also be installed under and around foundation
elements or penetrating conduits and pipes to prevent termite
invasions.
Successful control of subterranean termites .
Termiticide Applications to
Soil & Non-soil Substrates
Treatments consist of liquid, dust, or foam formulations
applied to soil, wood, or aerial and arboreal nest.
Creating a zone of treated soil b/w wood in a structure &
termites.
Rodding and reticulation systems are used to distribute
chemicals.
Topically applied or injected via drill holes to inhabited
wood or the nest .
Repellant
Termiticides:
Non-Repellant
Repellents: Pyrethroids and synthetic pyrethroids
Non-Repellant: organophosphates, imidacloprid, fipronil,
chlorpyriphos etc…
Trench and treat soil Use rod injection to treat
Trench and treat soil
around external soil along and around the
around walls and
concrete slab edge - a external perimeter area of
piers in the sub-floor
common termite entry the building
area
point
Drill concrete patio
Drill concrete floor along Drill concrete floor areas and treat soil
all expansion joints and around pipes and area therein - a high
cracks, and treat soil treat soil there risk termite nest
thereunder under. location
TTR(TRAP-TREAT-RELEASE)
Developed by Dr.T.G..Myles at the University of Toronto
TTR: Toxicant is applied externally to termite bodies as
a groomable coating.
Steps :
Termite traps placed in suitable locations near the
structure.
The traps are checked regularly for termite presence.
TTR cont..
Once termites hit a trap, it is removed & termites are
extracted for treatment.
A slow acting chemical toxicant is applied externally to
termite bodies as a grommable coating.
After treatment the termites are released back to their
colonies. Coated termites carry effectively larger loads of
toxicant than do bait-fed termites
Topically treated termites act as a delivery
system,spreading the toxicant throughtout the colony.
Cleaning and grooming by other members of the
colony,result in the ingestion of the pesticide by the
grooming individuals.
After ingestion, the pesticide is further distributed by
mutual feeding behaviours
Advantages:
Directly affects the termite colony.
TTR: Environmental friendly. Less amt of pesticide is
used.
Re-infestation is minimized.
Adverse health effects reduced.
Heat is shut off, & tent is removed.
Space Fumigation
Introduction of toxic gas inside a structure
sealed inside a tarpaulin,or around an isolated
area or object infested with termites.
Points to remember:
Gases must be used with extreme care.
Need to protect food items and certain furnishings in the
structure
Vacate structures for 2 to 3 days before treatment
Methyl bromide is commonly used fumigant.
Thermal Control
Mostly for drywood termites
Electricity
Heat from propane heaters
Excessive cold from liquid nitrogen
Excessive heat from microwaves.
Biological Control
(Including fungi, nematodes, & argentine ants).
Modern technology for termite
control:
Bayer Environmental
Manufactured Science.
by BASF
safer effective alternatives.
Both are water based,
Have virtually no smell and
Ultra-low hazard to humans, dogs, cats and other
mammals.
Termidor
Active ingredient: Fipronil
Non-repellant to the termites.
Termites enter treated soil zone without
detecting chemical.
Premise
Used as soil treatment.
Long term termite control.
Dual action:
Kill zone: @ higher concentration termites abutting the
building.
Transfer zone: @ lower concentration, termites forage
in the lower concentrated treated soil areas, will become
disorientated, stop feeding.
Baiting system
Dow
AgroScience,
USA
Act as “Insect growth
regulator”
Designed to be spread Ensystex, USA
throughout the colony by
the worker termites.(
By stopping the molting
process required for the
termites to grow.
Conclusion:
Proper design of a building and building practices.
Installation of termite management systems at the time
of construction.
Regular inspections for termite activity.
knowledge of building construction.
An understanding of termite biology & methods of
control.
