A Fluid Bait for Remedial Control of Subterranean Termites

A fluid bait, comprising α-cellulose and fine-ground phagostimulants (Summon Preferred Food Source) impregnated with 0.5% hexaflumuron (AI wt/wt) and mixed with 1% methylcel solution to yield 10% dry weight, was injected into simulated foraging galleries of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) for a laboratory efficacy evaluation. Six weeks after the injection, mortalities for both species exceeded 90%, and all termites died by the eight wk. The fluid bait can be applied internally through a small drill hole in a tight spot with any surface contour and may bypass many problems associated with the AG system that has to be installed externally on the walls or wood surface. When injected into an active gallery of termites in a structure, a tree, or in soil, the fluid baits may be fed immediately by termites to achieve the colony elimination.