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The efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride was evaluated for control of fourth-instar pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), at 25°C for a 24-h exposure. Larvae, collected as they naturally emerged from pecans, were used to artificially infest pecan nuts. Infested nuts were fumigated with six concentration by time (CT) treatment dosages of sulfuryl fluoride (0–750 g-h/m3) within air-tight, glass containers. The sulfuryl fluoride concentration in each fumigation container was analyzed 30 min after sulfuryl fluoride introduction and just prior to termination of the experiment. Mean sulfuryl fluoride CT dosages were calculated from sulfuryl fluoride measurements and were used for probit analysis. The lethal accumulated dosage (LAD99) of sulfuryl fluoride for pecan weevil was 1052.0 g-h/m3 with a 95% C.I. of 683.21–2,573.0 g-h/m3. For the confirmatory trial, we used two sulfuryl fluoride CT dosage treatments, 1,100 and 1,300 g-h/m3, and a nonfumigated control. All larvae were dead in both fumigation treatments by 14-d postfumigation. Due to higher mortality in the nonfumigated control in the confirmatory trial compared to that of the dose–response trial, 1300 g-h/m3 was selected as the sulfuryl fluoride CT dosage for a proposed quarantine treatment schedule. Fumigating pecans with sulfuryl fluoride can control larval pecan weevil infestations in commercially traded nuts and maintain compliance with quarantine regulations both within and outside the United States.

The body of pesticide research on spiders is sparse with most studies using topical or residual applications to assess efficacy. Data on the effects of fumigation on spider survivorship are scarce in the scientific literature. In this study, we exposed adult male and female brown recluse spiders, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch & Mulaik, and female brown widow spiders, Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch, to a commercial fumigation event using sulfuryl fluoride directed at termite control. General consensus from the pest control industry is that fumigation is not always effective for control of spiders for a variety of reasons, including insufficient fumigant dosage, particularly, for contents of egg sacs that require a higher fumigant dosage for control. We demonstrated that a sulfuryl fluoride fumigation with an accumulated dosage of 162 oz-h per 1,000 ft3 at 21°C over 25 h (≈1.7× the drywood termite dosage) directed at termites was sufficient to kill adult brown recluse and brown widow spiders. The effectiveness of commercial fumigation practices to control spiders, and particularly their egg sacs, warrants further study.

A field experiment was conducted in eight 13.6-MT steel bins containing 6.8 MT each of wheat to assess efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride or SF fumigant to control phosphine-resistant and susceptible Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Approximately 400 adults of each type of beetle were added to each bin. Additionally, muslin bags containing immature stages and adults, with their respective diets, were also placed in bins. Four bins were fumigated with SF and others were untreated control bins. The SF dosages in treated bins ranged from 1,196–1,467 mg-h/liter. Mortality of adults in each bag was assessed 5 d postfumigation; diet minus adults was incubated in a jar, and number of adults counted after 8 wk. No significant change occurred in number of insect-damaged kernels in SF-treated bins. In trier samples from SF-treated bins, R. dominica numbers declined from 24 prefumigation to 0 at 3- and 6-wk postfumigation; T. castaneum numbers were unchanged. In WBII traps from SF-treated bins, numbers R. dominica and T. castaneum declined from 25 and 33, respectively, prefumigation to 0 or near 0 at 3- and 6-wk postfumigation. Mortalities of resistant and susceptible adult R. dominica, and adult and large larvae of T. castaneum in SF-treated bags was 100%. For all four types of beetles, adult numbers in jars associated with SF-treated bins were 0 or near 0. Results show SF is effective against all life stages of phosphine-resistant R. dominica and T. castaneum, and can be used for phosphine resistance management.

Four buildings (two high-rise condominiums, a single-family residential structure, and a trailer) in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, infested with Formosan subterranean termites (FST, Coptotermes fomosanus Shiraki) were treated with baits containing 0.5% wt/wt noviflumuron. Each building represented a challenging treatment scenario for liquid termiticides due to the location of the infestation within the structure and/or occupant refusal to permit pesticide application in termite-infested living and activity areas. Marking of FST by in-situ baiting with blank bait matrix treated with 0.5% wt/wt Neutral Red dye indicated only one FST foraging population infested each building. Two FST infestations were aerial in high-rise condominiums. Noviflumuron baits were applied to two buildings in aboveground stations, one building with in-ground stations, and the remaining building with both station types. All detected FST infestations were eliminated within 71-92 days after first application of noviflumuron baits. FST foraging populations with confirmed ground contact consumed approximately 4-fold more bait than did aerial infestations; mean ± SD, 242 ± 74 g vs. 62 ± 51 g, respectively. Termite feeding activity was monitored before, during, and after bait application at two buildings with an acoustic emissions detector (AED) and in one building with a microwave detector. Cessation of termite activity measured with these devices corresponded with elimination of live FST previously observed in stations, infested wood, and foraging tubes. No FST were observed in any monitoring station or building during the 12-18 month inspection period following elimination of the detected FST infestation.

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), has resurged recently as a domestic pest in North America with very limited options for decisive control. We report efficacy studies with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) toward use as a structural fumigant to control bed bugs. Laboratory studies were conducted in which eggs, adults, and nymphs from a pesticide susceptible laboratory population were fumigated for 24 h using SF at 99.8% purity in airtight, 3.8-liter glass containers under two temperatures, 25°C and 15°C. Bed bugs were placed in separate ventilated glass vials and wrapped in mattress padding before fumigation. The gas concentration within each jar was determined using quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dose-response trials using eggs of known age (48–96 h) were conducted at five or six target concentrations measured as concentration X time accumulated dosages (g-h/m3) and one untreated control at each temperature. Each target dose was replicated in four different fumigation containers (replicates), with at least 32 eggs per replicate. The number of hatched and unhatched eggs postfumigation, and number of live and dead nymphs that resulted from hatched eggs, were evaluated daily for at least 1 wk after egg hatch. The lethal accumulated dosage (LAD99) for bed bug eggs was 69.1 (95% fiducial limits [FLs] of 62.9–79.5) g-h/m3 at 25°C and 149.3 (95% FLs of 134.4–177.9) g-h/m3 at 15°C. Confirmatory trials with dosages of 1.5× the LAD99 were conducted at 25°C and 1,5× the threshold mortality dose at 15°C with at least 15 adults, 13 late-instar nymphs and 79 eggs of known age per replicate. At 25°C, a target dosage of 103.7 g-h / m3 resulted in 100% mortality of adults and late-instar nymphs. Nymphs emerged and survived from two of 439 eggs treated with SF dosages that were 6–7 g-h/m3 less than the target dosage. No nymphs emerged from eggs fumigated with dosages >97.9 g-h/m3 in the validation study. Therefore, the threshold dosage for complete egg mortality (97.9 g-h/m3) was used, rather than the LAD99, to calculate the monitored field dosage rate of 148.2 g-h/m3 (= 1.5 × 97.9 g-h/m3) for control of all life stages of bed bugs at 25°C. Based on these results, at 15°C, 1.5× the threshold dosage for complete egg control (189.7 g-h/m3) was used to calculate a target dosage of 285 g-h/m3 for the confirmatory trial, which resulted in 100% mortality of adults, late-instar nymphs, and eggs.

The body of pesticide research on spiders is sparse with most studies using topical or residual applications to assess efficacy. Data on the effects of fumigation on spider survivorship are scarce in the scientific literature. In this study, we exposed adult male and female brown recluse spiders, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch & Mulaik, and female brown widow spiders, Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch, to a commercial fumigation event using sulfuryl fluoride directed at termite control. General consensus from the pest control industry is that fumigation is not always effective for control of spiders for a variety of reasons, including insufficient fumigant dosage, particularly, for contents of egg sacs that require a higher fumigant dosage for control. We demonstrated that a sulfuryl fluoride fumigation with an accumulated dosage of 162 oz-h per 1,000 ft3 at 21 degree C over 25 h ( approximately 1.7 the drywood termite dosage) directed at termites was sufficient to kill adult brown recluse and brown widow spiders. The effectiveness of commercial fumigation practices to control spiders, and particularly their egg sacs, warrants further study.

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), has resurged recently as a domestic pest in North America with very limited options for decisive control. We report efficacy studies with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) toward use as a structural fumigant to control bed bugs. Laboratory studies were conducted in which eggs, adults, and nymphs from a pesticide susceptible laboratory population were fumigated for 24 h using SF at 99.8% purity in airtight, 3.8-liter glass containers under two temperatures, 25 degree C and 15 degree C. Bed bugs were placed in separate ventilated glass vials and wrapped in mattress padding before fumigation. The gas concentration within each jar was determined using quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dose-response trials using eggs of known age (48-96 h) were conducted at five or six target concentrations measured as concentration X time accumulated dosages (g-h/m3) and one untreated control at each temperature. Each target dose was replicated in four different fumigation containers (replicates), with at least 32 eggs per replicate. The number of hatched and unhatched eggs postfumigation, and number of live and dead nymphs that resulted from hatched eggs, were evaluated daily for at least 1 wk after egg hatch. The lethal accumulated dosage (LAD99) for bed bug eggs was 69.1 (95% fiducial limits [FLs] of 62.9-79.5) g-h/m3 at 25 degree C and 149.3 (95% FLs of 134.4-177.9) g-h/m3 at 15 degree C. Confirmatory trials with dosages of 1.5 the LAD99 were conducted at 25 degree C and 1,5 the threshold mortality dose at 15 degree C with at least 15 adults, 13 late-instar nymphs and 79 eggs of known age per replicate. At 25 degree C, a target dosage of 103.7 g-h / m3 resulted in 100% mortality of adults and late-instar nymphs. Nymphs emerged and survived from two of 439 eggs treated with SF dosages that were 6-7 g-h/m3 less than the target dosage. No nymphs emerged from eggs fumigated with dosages >97.9 g-h/m3 in the validation study. Therefore, the threshold dosage for complete egg mortality (97.9 g-h/m3) was used, rather than the LAD99, to calculate the monitored field dosage rate of 148.2 g-h/m3 (= 1.5 97.9 g-h/m3) for control of all life stages of bed bugs at 25 degree C. Based on these results, at 15 degree C, 1.5 the threshold dosage for complete egg control (189.7 g-h/m3) was used to calculate a target dosage of 285 g-h/m3 for the confirmatory trial, which resulted in 100% mortality of adults, late-instar nymphs, and eggs.

During 1997, four pest control companies in Florida (FL) participated in experimental use permit field trials to evaluate spinosad (NAF-85) for control of drywood termites (DWT). Forty-four DWT infestations of Incisitermes snyderi (Light) and Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) in 37 structures in FL were delineated using an acoustic emissions detector (AED). These infestations were injected with a 0.5% spinosad suspension concentrate formulation using a hand-held injector. The majority of these infestations were interior (68%) and were completely accessible (86%). The visible signs most frequently associated with DWT infestations were pellets (93% of infestations). A mean of 10 holes were drilled and 4.3 holes were injected with a total mean of 60.7 ml spinosad per infestation. At a mean of 44 days post-treatment, the overall reduction in acoustic emission (AE) counts/30 sec was 94%. AE activity was reduced by ≥90% at 89% (n = 40) of the infestations and was completely eliminated at 61% (n = 27) of the infestations. The mean time to monitor a DWT infestation using the AED was 23.4 min for the 1stvisit and 6.3 min for the 2ndvisit. The mean time to drill, inject NAF-85, and plug drill holes was 13.7 min per infestation. The mean total time per trial site was 58.6 min for the 1stvisit and 13.1 min for the 2ndvisit. Results demonstrated the combination of the AED, spinosad and injector provided efficient and effective control of localized, accessible DWT infestations. /// Durante 1997, cuatro compañias de control de plagas de Florida participaron en ensayos experimentales para evaluar la efectividad de spinosad (NAF-85) en el control de termitas de madera seca (drywood termites). Cuarenta y cuatro infestaciones de Incisitermes snyderi (Light) y Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) fueron identificadas mediante un detector de emisiones acústicas (DEA). En los sitios infestados se inyectó una suspensión concentrada de spinosad al 0.5% usando un inyector manual. El 68% de las infestaciones estaba localizadas en interiores y eran completamente accesibles (86%). El signo más comunmente asociado con la infestación de termitas fue la presencia de pellets (93% de los casos). En promedio, en cada sitio sitio infestado se hicieron 10 perforaciones, de las cuales 4.3 se usaron para inyectar un promedio de 60.7 ml de spinosad por infestación. En promedio, a los 44 días post-tratamiento se detectó una reducción de 94% en el conteo de emisiones acústicas/30 segundos. En el 89% de los sitios infestados (n = 40), las emisiones acústicas se redujeron en ≥90%, mientras que no se detectó emisión acústica en 61% de los sitios infestados (n = 27). El tiempo promedio usado para monitorear una infestación de termitas con el DEA fué 23.4 minutos para la primera visita y 6.3 minutos para la segunda visita. En promedio, el tiempo empleado en hacer las perforaciones, inyectar el spinosad, y sellar las perforaciones fué de 13.7 minutos por sitio infestado. El tiempo total promedio por sitio experimental fué de 58.6 minutos para la primera visita y 13.1 minutos para la segunda visita. Los resultados demostraron que la combinación de DEA, spinosad e inyector lograron un buen control de infestaciones accesibles y localizadas de termitas.

Soft- and hard-style aboveground bait stations containing 0.5% hexaflumuron in a cellulose matrix (RecruitRAG), were installed indoors in two condominium buildings and in one home. Bait stations were affixed to wood where Formosan subterranean termites [FST (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki)] were observed in foraging tubes and subsurface galleries and adjacent to these locations where termite feeding was detected using an acoustic emission detector (AED). Bait stations were inspected monthly for the presence of termites, bait matrix consumption, and acoustic emission (AE) counts on adjacent wood. Bait stations were added as needed. Six to fourteen aboveground bait stations were installed in each structure at 3 or 6 placement sites. Termites fed in a mean of 73.3% of the stations installed to consume a total of 42-149 g of bait matrix. FST at the home had ground contact and consumed 2- 3.5 times more bait matrix than aerial infestations of FST at the condominiums. Acoustic emission counts generally declined from pretreatment levels at all monitoring locations following installation of the bait stations, with the exception of one condominium where AE counts peaked 6 weeks following installation. At all sites, bait matrix consumption in stations peaked during the first two months following installation of the aboveground bait stations. Baiting eliminated detectable FST activity in all structures, as indicated by lack of visual signs of termites and AED activity for at least two months. Elimination of detectable activity followed two or more months of bait matrix consumption by termites. Mean time to elimination of detectable activity for FST populations was 3.3 months (range 2-4 months). /// Se instalaron dentro de una casa y dos condominios estaciones de cebo de dos estilos, suaves y duras, que contenían un 0.5% de hexaflumuron en una matriz de celulosa (RecruitRAG). Las estaciones de cebo se fijaron sobre madera en la que se habían observado termitas subterráneas formosas (\"FST\", Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) en túneles de alimentación y en galerías bajo la superficie, y también se colocaron adyacentes a estos sitios donde alimentación por termitas fué detectada utilizando un detector de emisión acústica (\"AED\"). Las estaciones de cebo fueron inspeccionadas mensualmente en busca de la presencia de termitas, consumo de la matriz del cebo, y del número de emisiones acústicas en madera adyacente. Se añadieron estaciones de cebo cuando fue necesario. Se instalaron entre seis y catorce estaciones de cebo en cada estructura en tres a seis lugares. Las termitas se alimentaron en un promedio del 73.3% de las estaciones de cebo instaladas, consumiendo un total de 42 a 149 g de la matriz del cebo. La FST en la casa tuvo contacto con el suelo y consumió de 2 a 3.5 más de la matriz del cebo que la FST en las infestaciones aéreas en los condominios. El número de las emisiones acústicas generalmente declinó de los niveles anteriores al tratamiento en todas las localidadaes después de instalar las estaciones de cebo, con la excepción de un condominio en que el número de las emisiones acústicas alcanzó su máximo seis semanas después de la instalación de las estaciones. En todos los sitios, el consumo de la matriz del cebo alcanzó su máximo en los dos primeros meses después de la instalación de las estaciones de cebo arriba del piso. El uso del cebo eliminó la actividad detectable de la FST en todas las estructuras, que fué indicado por la ausencia de signos visuales de las termitas y de la actividad AED de por lo menos dos meses. Se eliminó la actividad detectable después de dos meses más de consumo de la matriz del cebo por las termitas. El tiempo promedio para la eliminación de toda actividad detectable de las poblaciones de FST fue de 3.3 meses (rango de 2 a 4 meses).