Florida Termite Roundup

In an effort to head-off the establishment of the tree termite (Nasutitermes costalis) in Florida, a collaboration between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the pest-control industry, and the University of Florida has resulted in a project designed to eradicate this damaging pest. A task force formed shortly after the discovery of this termite in Florida recommended the active ingredients imidacloprid and fipronil for the control of the termite. However, state emergency eradication funds were not allocated for this task. Consequently, termiticide registrants and Florida pest control operators decided that the risk from this pest was too large to ignore, even beyond the potential profits which may have been generated in the future.

All of the partners to this process contributed greatly to the success. Registrants provided free products, pest control operators provided free treatment labor, and the State provided permitting and compliance assistance. The Extension Service in Broward County contacted people in the 50-acre treatment site in person or by telephone to request permission for the pest control operators to enter their land or structures. Information packets were placed throughout the affected neighborhood. There were also several town hall meetings held to educate the public, and eventually everyone gave the group permission to enter and treat.

The actual treatment occurred on April 23. Pest control operators split into groups of ten and sprayed the soil and other targets throughout the area. A total of 380 gallons of imidacloprid and 450 gallons of fipronil were mixed. The insecticides were applied to achieve a uniform coverage rate of not more than one gallon per 10 square feet in a circular pattern around nests, foraging tubes, or foraging areas. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will scout the area in May, and the University of Florida will conduct a more systematic survey of the area in the fall. (Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, 5/19/03).

Editor’s Note: This is an excellent example of civic-minded action. This process may well be terminating the beginnings of an invasion such as the one by fire ant.

 

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