Sociobiology (Aug 2014)
Ivermectin Dust for the Control of Coptotermes formosanus in Residential Areas
Abstract
Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki is an important termite severely damage wood components of housing construction and old living trees in residential areas in south of China. The 70% mirex dust was one of important chemical products to control this termite damage. As the completely elimination of mirex in May 2009 in China, one of key works for Chinese researchers on termite control is to find the alternatives of mirex product. In present study, we evaluated the effect of 3% ivermectin dust to eliminate the colonies of C. formosanus in residential areas of Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, China from April 2010 to May 2012. The results indicated that when 20-30 grams of 3% ivermectin dust were applied onto the body of termites feeding in four monitor devices at 18-80 meter far from the C. formosanus nests, the termite colonies would be eliminated completely within three and half to eight months. This means 3% ivermectin dust was a good alternative of 70% mirex dust and could be used for subterranean termite control through the method of dusting in the monitor devices.
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