HOUSEHOLD AND STRUCTURAL INSECTS Elimination of Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Colonies Using a Refined Cellulose Bait Matrix Containing Noviflumuron When Monitored and Replenished Quarterly

Using a quarterly (3-mo)monitoring andbait-replenishment interval, 122 subterranean termite colonies throughout the United States were baited with a reÞned cellulose bait matrix containing 0.5% novißumuron. All colonies were eliminated in less than 1 yr after initiation of baiting as determined by long-termmonitoring and geneticmarkers. Sixty-three percent of the colonies were eliminated during the Þrst quarter after the initiation of baiting and 77% of colonies were eliminated after consuming two bait tubes or less. This suggests that a single baiting cycle and bait installed in response to a single active monitoring device were sufÞcient to eliminate the majority of colonies. Although termites temporarily abandonedstationsafterdepletingbait,workers resumedfeedingwhen baits were replenished. Colonies that consumed large amounts of bait before elimination foraged into multiple stations, thus allowing adequate amounts of bait to sustain feeding. The time to eliminate termite colonies with bait replenished quarterly was similar to that previously reported for laminated cellulose bait replenished monthly. Our data support the conclusion that extending the bait replenishment interval from monthly to quarterly for bait tubes with reÞned cellulose containing 0.5% novißumuron did not adversely impact colony elimination.