Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered a new chemical treatment that could be a game-changer for battling drywood termites.
These pests, known for hiding and feeding inside wooden structures, can cause significant damage to homes.
The newly identified chemical, called bistrifluron, stops termites from growing new exoskeletons when they molt.
Since termites must molt about seven times in their lives, this interruption is fatal to them, wiping out nearly 95% of a colony without affecting humans or other mammals.
The findings were published in the Journal of Economic Entomology and led by Nicholas Poulos, a doctoral student in UCR’s Department of Entomology.
According to Poulos, bistrifluron is safer for the environment compared to traditional termite control methods. It specifically targets insects and does not harm humans.
Unlike us, termites have exoskeletons on the outside of their bodies, which serve as protective armor and attachment points for their muscles.
This outer shell is made of a material called chitin, which also exists in the beaks of squids, fish scales, and fungal cell walls.
When termites are ready to grow, they need to shed their old exoskeleton and build a new one. Bistrifluron blocks this process, leaving them unprotected and unable to survive.
Professor Dong-Hwan Choe, co-author of the study, explained that the termites are forced to attempt molting without the ability to complete it, ultimately causing their death.
The chemical also slows down their feeding activity, weakening the colony before it collapses completely.
One of the most promising aspects of bistrifluron is how it spreads through the colony. When termites consume the treated wood, they share the chemical with others, extending its reach. This “donor” method allows the chemical to infiltrate the colony, leading to a full collapse in about two months.
Although slower than fumigation, this method is much safer and less disruptive to homeowners. Traditional fumigation requires people to pack up all their food and leave their homes during the process, whereas this new treatment can be applied as a spot treatment and is far less toxic.
This isn’t the first time Choe’s team has discovered innovative termite control methods. They previously found that pinene, a pleasant-smelling chemical released by forest trees, could lure termites to treated wood. When combined with insecticide, it led to over 95% mortality in test colonies, compared to just 70% when the insecticide was used alone.
The next challenge for the researchers is to make bistrifluron easier to apply. In their study, they dissolved it in acetone, which is not ideal for real-world use due to its strong smell and flammability. Poulos noted that the team is working on safer and more practical ways to treat wood with this chemical.
Drywood termites are common in northern Mexico and California, but as the climate warms, their reach is expanding.
Moving lumber between regions also spreads these pests to new locations. Choe believes that this new method could be a major step forward in managing termite infestations safely and effectively, protecting homes from costly damage while avoiding the toxic impacts of traditional fumigation.
