Subterranean termite pests and their control in the urban environment in Malaysia.

Abstract

Subterranean termite control accounted for 50% of the total business turnover of the Malaysian pest control industry in 2000, of which US$8-10 million were spent. About 70% of termite treatments were done on residential premises, 20% on industrial buildings and 10% on commercial buildings. The most important species are Coptotermes travians, C. curvignathus, C. havilandi, C. kalshoveniand C. sepangensis. C. curvignathus which usually attack houses built in areas where rubber trees (Hevea brasilliensis) were previously planted, while C. travians is mainly found in urban buildings. Other subterranean and mound-building species that are found around living premises, urban gardens and parklands, but usually do not attack structures include Macrotermes gilvus, Macrotermes carbonarius, Globitermes sulphureus, Microtermespakistanicus, Microcerotermes spp. and Odontotermes spp. Control of subterranean termites in Malaysia currently relies heavily on pre- and post-construction soil treatments. Dusting is also commonly done in buildings. The ban in 1998 on chlordane usage as a soil termiticide, has caused pest control operators to opt for organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides. Field evaluations of hexaflumuron baits against various Coptotermes species in natural habitats and in buildings showed very promising results. The activity of all baited termite colonies diminished within 70 days of bait application with the total amount of hexaflumuron consumed being less than 1.5 g. The potential of baiting and challenges to termite control in Malaysia are discussed.