Enhancement of Subterranean Termite Bait Stations With the Use of Wood Bait Containing Blue Stain Fungi (Ophiostoma spp.)
Description:
Overview of Technology
An MSU invention of a blue-stain fungi attractant increases the effectiveness of bait stations to attract subterranean termite colonies, which then slowly die off after ingesting the toxicant. It is a natural attractant for wood targeting pests that can fit the needs of existing bait stations.
Background
Wood-targeting pests are responsible for billions of dollars in damages annually. Infusing bait with blue-stain fungi, whether the bait has been naturally infested or inoculated artificially, improves upon existing bait stations and bait matrix formulas by increasing the attractiveness of the resulting bait. Ultimately, luring wood-targeting pests from target structures and toward a more attractive food source (e.g. blue-stain wood) fully defines the effectiveness of the bait station, thereby decreasing the damage to target wood.
Blue-stain fungi of the Phylum Ascomycota function as a natural attractant for wood-targeting pests (termites, silverfish, woodworms, etc.). The fungi can be extracted by identifying and isolating carriers in bark beetles or root weevils of the Order Coleoptera with which the fungi symbiotically associate. Cultures of the fungi can be grown in a solid or liquid state and joined to wood, non-wood, or wood derivative substrates to fit the need of existing bait stations.
Description of Technology
Termite bait stations are placed in the soil around homes, building, etc., and use wood as a feeding attractant for randomly foraging subterranean termites. This wood bait is treated with a slow acting toxicant. Termite workers feed on the wood bait and any chemicals it may contain while recruiting other termites to the site. Termite workers then feed other castes within the colony, which slowly die off after ingesting the toxicant. If one can increase the “attractiveness” of the bait source in the bait station, or the consumption of the toxicant contained within, the effectiveness of the poisoned bait station is increased, and the building is better protected against subterranean termites. One such way this has been accomplished is through the use of an MSU invention of a blue-stain fungi attractant either placed around or infused within bait wood. The fungus acts as a natural attractant for wood-targeting pests while preserving the strength of the bait wood. As a result, blue-stain can be integrated with existing termite bait stations to increase the attractiveness and effectiveness of bait wood.
Benefits
Fungi does not decay wood substrate, ultimately preserving strength, bolstering permeability of pesticide injection, and maintaining attractiveness of bait wood - Blue-stained wood has increased permeability relative to non-blue-stained wood which allows for increased pesticide transport and retention in wood grain
- Fungi can be synthesized to treat wood and non-wood substrates
- Existing bait stations, pesticides, and insecticides are compatible with blue-stained wood
- Higher consumption rate when compared to currently available attractants
- Renewable resource that, when paired with low-toxicity pesticides, produces an environmentally conscious bait system
IP Status
- Issued Patent No. 9,924,706
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