Prevention of Colony Establishment by the West Indian Drywood Termite Using Reduced Rates of Borate and Silica Dust or Solution.

Imago dispersal by the West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) potentially initiates or expands structural infestations by the establishment of incipient colonies. The prevention of drywood termite colonization in structures is difficult, but a substantial reduction may be obtainable. In this experiment, seasonal dispersal of C. brevis imagos commenced from infested wood in a laboratory building. A bioassay was developed to determine the efficacy of 100, 50, and 10% label rate applications of a borate (Tim-Bor) and silica (CimeXa) dust or solution against C. brevis colony establishment under these simulated field conditions. All treatments prevented colony establishment at label rate applications, whereas Tim-bor significantly reduced colonization at all exposure rates.