PJB-2024-333
STANDARDIZATION OF CELLULOSIC TERMITE BAIT MATRIX AGAINST SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES HETEROTERMES INDICOLA (RHINOTERMITIDAE ISOPTERA)
Ehtisham ul Haq
Abstract
Studies on development of solid termite bait matrix and its efficacy against the Heterotermes indicola were performed at Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar, during 2023. The studies were carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) on different treatments i.e. chip board, Bamboo, poplar wood and different concentrations of methyl cellulose (25, 50, and 100%). Each treatment was repeated 10 times. The aggregation test was conducted at laboratory arena, while the bait consumption tests were conducted at both the laboratory and field levels in a choice setup. The aggregation test showed that maximum number of termites was noted on chip board (51.70 no. termites), while minimum on poplar wood (7.53 no. termites). Further, the different concentration of methyl cellulose revealed that maximum number of termites observed on 50% methyl cellulose (53.00 no. termites), while minimum on poplar wood (11.60 no. termites). In the choice test of the laboratory experiment, maximum bait consumed (weight) by termites was on chip board (20.90%) while minimum on developed bait (6.49%). In terms of different methyl cellulose treatment, 50% methyl cellulose exhibited the highest bait consumption (weight) of (40.35%) while the 100% methyl cellulose showed the minimum of (3.05%). In case of field trial, the highest bait consumed (weight) was noted on developed bait (41.61%) and lowest by poplar wood (40.63%). In conclusion, it was observed among the tested baits that termites mostly prefer chip board and 50% methyl cellulose that act as better attracting tools for termites. It is therefore recommended to use powdered chip board and 50% methyl cellulose as an additive for enhanced attractiveness and consumption of developed bait by termites. Further, refining of the bait and its formulation is required for more promising results in termite control strategy.
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