The integrated management of subterranean termites (ITM) involves the use of non-cellulosic construction materials, landscape modifications, physical barriers, structural repairs (e.g., moisture source reduction), and the judicious application of termiticides. The keystone tenant of integrated pest management is the implementation of a pest monitoring program. However, subterranean termite monitoring is often initiated only as a means of measuring treatment success after an infestation has been identified and remediation rendered. The costs of monitoring programs associated with termite baiting systems present an economic sustainability challenge and have moved the industry away from monitoring and toward prophylactic bait placements with once per year service intervals. The Encircle™ Remote Termite Detection System (RTDS), developed by BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions, provides a proactive, digital solution for termite monitoring. Encircle™ RTDS can be used as part of an integrated management program for the protection of structures against subterranean termites via the deployment of smart sensors that provide continuous and real-time remote detection to determine termite activity within in-ground stations. The system is described, and initial field data on its ability to remotely monitor populations of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) is provided. Data collected in trials conducted in New Orleans, LA in 2020 and 2021 indicate the sensors are capable of accurately detecting termites under field conditions. Remote termite detection, incorporated into the internet of things (IoT), offers the opportunity to reduce the costs and subjectivity associated with termite monitoring, increase monitoring frequency, and reduce the reliance on prophylactic treatments or the indiscriminate application of insecticides.

Encircle™ remote termite detection system: An innovative approach enabling integrated management from BASF

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.