CSRIO conducts quality research into termite management both in the laboratory and field.

CSIRO’s bait box technique for termite control

The bait box technique for termite control gives property owners a practical method of controlling an existing termite infestation.

• 28 July 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

CSIRO’s bait box technique for termite control

The CSIRO bait box technique is used to aggregate termites to a point source. When large numbers of termites are present, they can be readily treated with a dust toxicant with minimal disturbance.

It is a technique for eradicating a termite colony when their activity has been detected. It is not a technique for preventing attack.

Background

Termite damage.

Arsenic dusting of termites has long been used in Australia as an integral part of the management of subterranean termites.

The method involves the introduction of a fine dispersion of arsenic trioxide into occupied termite galleries in wood or mud-tubes (shelter-tubes). Being fine, the dust adheres to the moist bodies of termites.

Termites ingest the arsenic during their grooming activities. Transfer of the arsenic is increased during food sharing (trophallaxis) and the cannibalism of dead termites. The end result is the death of the queen and the entire colony.

Only a relatively small amount of arsenic trioxide dust is needed to eradicate an entire colony.

However, the method is not always successful. Lack of success can be due to:

• incorrect application of arsenic dust
• too few termites being dusted
• initial discovery and disturbance of infested timbers forcing the termites to retreat quickly to the nest.

The CSIRO bait box technique has therefore been developed to assist in the management of subterranean termites by overcoming some of these problems.