Efficacy of chlorpyrifos and fipronil in relation to soil depths against subterranean termites

Abstract

The present studies aimed at finding the best concentration of chlorpyrifos and fipronil following mixing with the same and different soil depths in laboratory and field trials. Barrier efficacy of these insecticides was measured by determining wood weight loss kept as bait on the treated soils in the field experiment and length of galleries in the laboratory experiments. Results showed that termites were able to penetrate galleries treated with both insecticides at variable distances. Length of gallery and repellence was concentration dependent. Five percent concentration of both insecticides at 45 cm was the best treatment in comparison with other combination of concentration and soil depths. Maximum gallery length and repellence was observed after the application of chlorpyrifos in comparison with fipronil. Fipronil applied at different concentrations following mixing with the same and with different soil depths was the best treatment as a standard pre-construction step.