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Madison, WI 53726-2398
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Requested Product

Title: Bio-acoustic termite control

Source: Res. in Prog. FPL-RIP. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 2 p.

Author(s): Oberst, Sebastian ; Mankowski, Mark E., E. .

Publication Year: 2020  View PDF »

Related Publications: view

Category: Research In Progress

Abstract: Termites constitute a serious pest worldwide. Annual termite-related repair costs exceed $1.5 billion in Australia and $30 billion in the United States. Termite damage to power poles costs $20 million in repair annually in Australia. If utility poles are not inspected properly, results can include fires, loss of life and property, and indirect costs. Chemical and mechanical controls have limited success over the lifetime of a house (60 years) or a power pole (40 years). In Australia, more than 5 million timber power poles are in use, and because they cost about 14% as much as steel-reinforced concrete poles, no cost-efficient alternative is available. The use of chemical or mechanical means for their control is widespread. However, chemical control may harm nontarget organisms and cause potential health effects for humans; mechanical control is costly and requires frequent inspection. Because termites are eusocial insects, they rely on communication. Making use of their sensing and communication capability could be a viable way to develop a chemical-free, vibration-based termite control method.

Publication Review Process: Non-Refereed (Other)

File size: 429 kb(s)

Date posted: 01/08/2021
RITS Product ID: 10088
Current FPL Scientist associated with this product
Mankowski, Mark
Research Entomologist
  

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