Control of foraging colonies of subterranean termites Coptotermes travians (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae) in Malaysia using hexaflumuron baits

Coptotermes travians (Haviland) is one of the most important subterranean termite pest species attacking urban buildings and structures in Malaysia. Two colonies of C. travians infesting residential premises (Colony A & B), and another one in a natural habitat (Colony C) were characterized. Foraging territories ranged between 125 - 384 m 2 , with maximum foraging distances of 17 - 32 m per colony. At pre-baiting, mean wood consumption were recorded at 526.4 g month - 1 , 478.2 g month - 1 and 643.7 g month - 1 for colony A, B and C, respectively, Colony sizes for the three colonies were estimated using a triple mark-recapture method. Colony size ranged between 3.2 X 10 5 to 1.3 x 10 6 workers. Baiting against colony A and B was done using both in-ground and above-ground hexaflumuron baits, while only in-ground baiting was executed against colony C. The baits caused a substantial reduction in wood consumption rate in independent monitoring stations within 34 - 44 days post-baiting. At this stage, more soldiers were observed with a small number ofworkers. No termite activity was visible in the independent monitoring stations, as well as the bait stations at 49, 55 and 62 days post-baiting for colony C, A and B, respectively. Some challenges of baiting subterranean termites in Malaysia are discussed.