Killing It In The Egg: A Termite Bait Story
Termite baits can wipe out a colony in about 90 days, but the colony's eggs are gone by day 30. Why? A new study investigates and fills in a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding how termite colonies collapse when exposed to a chitin synthesis inhibitor.
What’s That Termite? Artificial Intelligence Might Have the Answer
A team of researchers in Taiwan has developed software driven by machine learning to accurately identify specimens—both soldiers and workers—of four different termite species. Their goal is to enable smartphone app termite ID for pest management pros and adapt the software's use to additional species.
In Search for Effective Cockroach Lures, Apple and Blueberry Come Out on Top
Monitoring for cockroach infestations in homes and buildings is hindered by a lack of effective and practical attractants, but researchers at Rutgers University say a mix of extracts from apple and blueberry has proven highly effective in lab and field settings and could lead to more successful cockroach integrated pest management programs.
Pheromone Treatment Puts Up the “No Vacancy” Sign for Douglas-Fir Beetles
A new review article looks at the research and development of a leading method for protecting Douglas-fir trees from bark-beetle infestations, using the pests' antiaggregation pheromone against them—essentially putting up a "no vacancy" sign that sends the beetles elsewhere.