By ElRay Roper, Senior Technical Representative, Syngenta Professional Pest Management
In some parts of the United States, drywood termites are a common target for Pest Management Professionals. There are several key differences between drywood termites and their subterranean termite cousins:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about drywood termites:
Q: Can drywood termites cause significant damage to structures?
A: Minor infestations (one or two colonies) generally will not cause significant damage to properties, but if multiple colonies have infested a structure, they can cause extensive structural damage.
Q: Will a soil treatment help protect a property from drywood termite damage?
A: Since drywood termites do not live in soil, a treatment to the soil or the use of in-ground bait stations will not protect a structure from them.
Q: If drywood termites are found in a structure, does the structure have to be fumigated?
A: It depends on the extent and location of infestations. Minor infestations can be economically treated by injecting a liquid insecticide into the termite gallery. Severe infestations, or colonies in wooden parts of the structure that are not easily accessible, should be treated by fumigation.
While fumigation may cost several thousand dollars and multiple days of work, making localized treatments with a liquid insecticide is less expensive and less intrusive to treat drywood termites. Moreover, a localized treatment leaves behind a protective residue to prevent future wood infestations.
When selecting a liquid termiticide, choose one with a low impact on non-target organisms since it will be injected into the structural elements of the building. Altriset® termiticide from Syngenta Professional Pest Management is now labeled for drywood termites, in addition to subterranean and Formosan termites. The product has a low impact on non-target beneficial organisms when used in accordance with the label.
Q: What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for application of Altriset?
A: After the product has been diluted in accordance with label directions for use, shirt, pants, socks and shoes are sufficient PPE. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining PPE. If no such instructions for washables are available, use detergent and hot water. Keep and wash PPE separately from other laundry.
The proven performance of Altriset in lab and field studies on drywood termites, and a formulation that provides long-term, effective control make the product an ideal choice for drywood termite control.
Experience a profitable, effective solution for localized treatment of drywood termite infestations with Altriset. To learn more about drywood termite control, contact your local Syngenta territory manager.
For use by individuals/firms licensed or registered by the state to apply termiticide products.
1 Scheffran, R. (2009). Efficacy Evaluation of Selected Insecticide Products on Incisitermes snyderi (Light) (Light Southeastern Drywood Termite) Using a Choice Laboratory Bioassay; PR098963.
2 Lewis, V. (2012). Evaluation of a localized treatment using Altriset for Incisitermes minor (Hagen); PR118963.
3 Lewis, V. (2012). Time to knockdown and mortality of Incisitermes minor (Hagen) workers with Altriset; PR118959.
4 RJM Consulting (2011). Drywood Termite Field Study in Florida; PR118961.
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