A study on area-wide management of subterranean termites through baiting strategies in a tropical region

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of area-wide management (AWM) approach on a large scale implemented in a tropical region against subterranean termite infestations. This AWM was carried out using a slow acting Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor (CSI), chlorfluazuron, as bait in the study area. A total of 11,511 in-ground stations were employed to intercept outdoor termite activities and 40 indoor above-ground stations were installed on infested structures in the study area. This study was carried out from April 2021 till March 2024. At the in-ground stations, total elimination of termite activity was recorded within 16 months from the start of the study, and no further interceptions were observed until the end of the study. The average days-to-elimination (DTE) of termite activity was recorded at 39.71 ± 2.47 days for in-ground stations. Above-ground stations had a high number of active stations from April to September 2021, followed by a sharp decrease after September 2021. No re-invasions were reported from March to December 2022. However, two active above-ground stations were recorded between January to March 2023, after which no termite activity was observed inside buildings during monitoring period till the end of the study. The above-ground stations recorded a slightly longer time to elimination than in-ground stations with 64.63 ± 8.30 days. This study shows the effectiveness of baiting in eliminating termite activities and the feasibility of implementing an area-wide baiting program to control termite infestation on a large scale.