Effect of integration of cultural, botanical, and chemical methods of mound treatment on termites (Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur) colonies in Ghimbi District of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted from November 2011 to June 2013 to evaluate the effects of botanical, cultural, and chemical methods on termite colony survival, crop and wooden damage, and other biological activities in Ghimbi district of western Ethiopia. The termite mounds were dug and the following treatments were applied. The treatments included queen removal + 250g/mound of Masea lanceolata leaf powder, queen removal + 250 g/mound of M. Lanceolata leaf powder + chlorpyrifos 6 ml/mould, queen removal + chlorpyrifos 6 ml/mould, chlorpyrifos 12 ml/mould (recommended)/, queen removal alone and untreated check in 6×6 Latin Square Design. Data were collected on nest construction, foraging termites, crops and wooden damage within the radius of 50m from the treated mound. Queen removal + M. Lanceolata leaf powder + chlorpyrifos 6 ml/mould, queen removal + chlorpyrifos 6 ml/mould, and chlorpyrifos 12 ml/mould resulted in colony destruction, and reduced damage to crops and wooden materials significantly overall other treatments but no significant difference was observed amongst them. Queen removal as a component of integrated management is effective and eco-friendly. Therefore, it could be concluded that mound destruction using queen removal and lower rate of chemicals may be used for the management of termites. In areas where multiple species were involved in causing damage, it could be one of the major components of integrated termite management. The rate of the chemical to be used after queen removal could also be further studied and reduced to make it more environmentally friendly and economically affordable.

Keywords: chlorpyrifos; Macrotermes subhyalinus; Masea lanceolata; termite queen removal