Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Agricultural and Mechanical College

Jian Chen

Gregg Henderson

Roger A Laine

Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

Compositions and methods for detecting and killing termites

Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

A termite bait system is disclosed having two compartments, a non-toxic preconditioning compartment (or 'P-compartment') and a toxicant compartment (or 'T-compartment'). A passage connects the P-compartment to the T-compartment. Initially this passage is blocked by a plug of a material that termites can eat through over time. The P-compartment contains a small amount of food without any toxicant. The T-compartment contains food that has been treated with a toxicant. Termites from the targeted colony--or from a different, but amicable colony--are placed in the P-compartment, where they are allowed to feed on the non-toxic food. An exit from the P-compartment, for example a tube, leads to a shelter tube of the targeted colony. The shelter tube is preferably left undisturbed by the operator of the CPBS system. Termites from the P-compartment build a shelter tube or lay down chemical signals from the P-compartment to the target colony or its shelter tubes. Termites from the target colony then travel to the P-compartment, where they feed on the non-toxic food. After a time, the termites eat through the plug between the two compartments, and begin feeding on the toxicant-laced food in the T-compartment. The colony eventually dies as toxicant is distributed throughout the colony.

Growing community of inventors

Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Jian Chen