Improving Performance of Thermal Modified Wood against Termites with Bicine and Tricine

Abstract

The desire to incorporate wood in modern construction has led to a considerable increase in the use of wood modification techniques, and especially thermal modification. However, thermally modified wood has poor performance against termites. The concept of using a combined chemical and thermal modification has been undertaken through the impregnation with either bicine or tricine prior to modification. This paper considers the effects of these chemicals on the activity of termites and considers their mode of action in terms of termite survival and on their effects on the symbiotic protists present within the termite gut.