To Compare the Efficacy of Three Different Groups of Insecticides Against Subterranean Termite, Microcerotermes spp.

Termites are among the pests that cause damage to crops, forests, stored food and home wooden appliances. The use of chemical insecticides is the most common  and effective method to control  termites  In this research three insecticides from three different groups were evaluated to determine the optimal dose as a protective barrier. The treatments included: fipronil (SC 2%) 0.5% and 1%, chlorpyrifos (EC 40.8%) 1%, lambda cyhalothrin (SC 5%) 0.5% and 1%, 50 g of fipronil (G 0.2%) and control (water). The experiment was conducted in Hormozgan province. One meter of each palm canopy was considered as a plot and 20 liters of insecticide solution was poured around each tree. In order to evaluate, two tracking traps were installed around each tree, so that one trap was installed inside and the other outside the plot. Termite control index was determined based on the amount of cardboard eaten in each trap. To determine the duration of the effect of treatments, trapping studies were continued for 6-16 months after treatment. Data were statistically analyzed non-parametrically. The results showed that the outside bait traps were not significantly different from each other in terms of infection. The treatment of Fipronil with granular formulation (with 19 infested traps) was not effective in termite control whereas lambda cyhalothrin 1% had the least termite infested traps (5 infested traps) during 6 months after treatment.