Efficacy of single and mixed particles sand size as physical barrier against Heterotermes indicola under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Termites are most important eusocial insect pests known to human beings, spread across the globe and feed on all cellulose containing materials. Heterotermes indicola workers cause enormous damages to the host materials. Sand can be a physical barrier to control termites’ infestation. H. indicola travelled nil distance and made nil number of tunnels in 20 and 30 mesh size particles in 3 cm sand barrier. But in control (60 cm mesh size) it travelled significantly longer distance of 2.13, 3.07 and 3.25 cm, and made significantly more number of tunnels of 1.45 each on day 1, 2 and 3, respectively. H. indicola travelled nil distance and made nil number of tunnels in sand mesh sizes of 20 and 30 in 5 cm sand barrier also. But in control (60 cm mesh size), the termite workers travelled significantly longer distance of 1.61, 1.61 and 4.42 cm, while made more number of tunnels of 1 each on day 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The present research findings will devise IPM strategies against H. indicola under field conditions