Area-wide evaluation of bait density and cost-effectiveness in the elimination of the Formosan subterranean termite

Clicks: 16
ID: 333769
2026
Free PDF
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score — reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Emerging

Ranked #69 of 90 articles by views in Journal of Economic Entomology

Most read Least read

Bar heights use a square-root scale.

Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet minted

Create a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

5 SUSD one-off · no wallet required
Sign in to mint
Abstract
Abstract Area-wide (AW) termite management based on baiting has been proven to be effective for controlling subterranean termites. The density and distribution of bait stations strongly influence the cost-effectiveness of AW programs. To evaluate optimal bait density, we conducted a 2-year baiting program in Central Taiwan Science Park (466 ha) and Hsinchu Science Park (777 ha), Taiwan. In 6 study plots, Formosan subterranean termite (FST, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) colony activity was monitored using a 5-m spaced wood stake matrix with monthly inspections. Each colony was baited with a single in-ground bait station. A total of 11 colonies were eliminated, with a mean elimination time of 1.82 ± 1.25 months and bait consumption of 164.3 ± 68.6 g (∼1 bait tube) per colony. Based on empirical data, including baiting processes, colony territory size, and landscape features, we simulated bait station spacings (6 to 16 m) to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the respective baiting programs in the 2 parks. In the simulation, colonies were eliminable when bait spacing is ≤8 m in Central Taiwan Science Park and ≤12 m in Hsinchu Science Park. The minimized annual cost is estimated at $13.59 million NTD ($453,000 USD) and $14.83 million NTD ($494,000 USD), respectively, while ensuring complete colony elimination. These costs are substantially lower than potential annual losses from termite-induced power outages. These findings provide a practical framework for optimizing bait station deployment in AW termite management programs.
Reference Key
openalex_W7223458553 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Wen-Jun Lin, Ning Chen, Guan-Yu Chen, Yu-Yi Lai, Chien-Hung Huang, Hou‐Feng Li
Are you one of these authors? Claim your profile
Journal Journal of Economic Entomology
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jee/toag316
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag316
Keywords Keywords not found

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.