New Research Shows Invasive ''Super Termites'' Can Be Conquered; Louisiana State University Entomologists Successfully Battle Formosan Termites with Popular Treatment

Business Wire, June 8, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- There appears to be a new line of defense to stop the spread of Formosan termites, the most aggressive and destructive species of the wood destroying insect in the US. Researchers at Louisiana State University's Agricultural Center have completely eliminated extreme Formosan termite infestations at test sites with no signs of re-infestation. USDA Forest Service test sites in other locations using the same liquid treatment have remained 100 percent termite-free for ten years and counting.

Formosan subterranean termites are responsible for up to $1 billion in property damage in the US annually, and the aggressive nature of this invasive species has enabled it to spread across the lower half of the US and Hawaii at an alarming rate. Formosan termites are currently established in eleven states, with experts predicting increased infestations across the country if effective treatment programs are not quickly developed and applied.

Using Termidor Termite Defense, a nonrepellant liquid termite defense product that is completely undetectable to termites, the LSU team and local pest management professionals have completely eliminated extreme Formosan termite infestations at two sites: Allemands Elementary School Cafeteria in Des Allemands, LA, and the PGTB Beauregard Courthouse in St. Bernard, LA. The treatments were completed in August and September of 2004, respectively, and since then, there have been no signs of re-infestation found during any of the monthly inspection and no termite activity found at any in-ground monitors installed around the structures. Both sites are located on the outskirts of New Orleans, LA, a city notorious for year-round, widespread Formosan termite activity. The research was commissioned by BASF, the company that manufactures Termidor.

"Nonrepellant termiticides are the way we wish to go with termite control today because they can transfer from termite to termite, so you can get population reduction," says Dr. Gregg Henderson, professor of entomology at LSU and the head researcher on this project.

"In ten years of field/laboratory testing, and over five years of real-world applications by pest control professionals, Termidor has provided unmatched control of Formosan termite infestations," says Dr. Bob Davis, entomologist and Market Development Specialist for BASF. "We're grateful to Dr. Henderson and his staff for introducing this valuable data to the pest management community, and for their continued efforts to stop the spread of this devastating termite species throughout the country."

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Termidor(R), America's #1 termite defense, is the fastest among all termite control products at completely eliminating termite populations. Termidor has been used to successfully defend more than 2 million homes against termites, and in ongoing nationwide testing performed by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Termidor continues to out-perform all other professional termite control products. Only Termidor-certified professionals are authorized to purchase and apply Termidor. For more information about Termidor or to find a pest management professional in your area, visit www.TermidorHome.com.