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Subterranean termites of economic importance in suburban Melbourne: Wood structures most frequently attacked and damaged
1990 - IRG/WP 1430
An examination of wood structures in forty buildings actively being attacked by subterranean termites in Melbourne revealed that all buildings were being attacked and damaged by Coptotermes species. This indicates the economic importance of these species. Hardwoods were more frequently infested than softwood species. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to termite control, ...
J R J French


The gaseous environment of Coptotermes lacteus mound colonies before and after mirex treatment
1989 - IRG/WP 1396
While monitoring the halocarbon and hydrocarbon emissions from a dry sclerophyll eucalypt forest in central Gippsland, similar emissions were collected from within several Coptotermes lacteus mound colonies. Samples of the gases (hydrocarbons) from within the mounds were collected before, during and after treatment with mirex-treated wood-decay blocks. All the mirex-treated mounds died within two ...
J R J French, R A Rasmussen, D M Ewart, M A K Khalil


Limnoria quadripunctata Holthuis - a threat to copper-treated wood
1983 - IRG/WP 4100
This paper presents the first reported attack by the crustacean marine wood-borer Limnoria quadripunctata Holthuis of CCA treated eucalypt piles. The attack occurred after 12 years service of the piles in the River Derwent at Hobart, Tasmania. Attack by both this borer and Limnoria tripunctata Menzies is also reported in CCA treated softwoods and hardwoods over periods ranging from 5 to 22.9 years...
J E Barnacle, L J Cookson, C N McEvoy


The development of a field testing technique using Coptotermes lacteus mounds in Australia
1985 - IRG/WP 1270
A method to rapidly screen potential bait substrates placed around Coptotermes lacteus mounds is described. A perforated P.V.C. conduit is buried in a shallow trench in a rectangular arrangement around an active mound. Seven P.V.C. holders containing cork baits are inserted vertically into the conduit around the mound. Within three weeks following installation of the baits around five mound coloni...
J R J French, P J Robinson


Efficacy of triflumuron dust against Schedorhinotermes intermedius (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
2000 - IRG/WP 00-30226
Insecticidal dusts have been used against termites for decades, with arsenic dust being the standard in Australia. While fair success over the years has been achieved against genera such as Coptotermes and Nasutitermes, Schedorhinotermes has been much more difficult to control. This genus has nests which are very difficult to locate and thus it is problematic to determine whether a treatment has b...
W Madden, P Hadlington, M Hill


Biological control in termite management – the potential of nematodes and fungal pathogens
2004 - IRG/WP 04-10521
A brief overview on the options for biological control of termites is presented. Many organisms have been identified as being able to kill termites, however, we do not know their real impact on field populations of termites. Most research has focused on some entomopathogenic nematodes and the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. To date, only a limited number of field studies have ...
M Lenz


Borate Protection and Termites: Variation in Protection Thresholds Explained
2006 - IRG/WP 06-20324
Laboratory and field data reported in the literature are confusing with regard to ‘adequate’ protection thresholds for borate timber preservatives against subterranean termites. The confusion is compounded by differences in termite species, timber species and test methodology. Laboratory data indicate a borate retention of 0.5% mass/mass (m/m) boric acid equivalent (BAE) would cause > 90% t...
B C Peters, C J Fitzgerald


Re-sealing cut ends of envelope-treated softwood framing timber to protect against damage by the Australian subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis: A revisitation
2006 - IRG/WP 06-20335
The claim that Australian Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) do not appear to initiate damage on timber from the end grain, thereby negating the need for treating exposed cut ends of softwood framing material (35 ? 90 mm) which has a repellent Tanalith? T envelope, was further investigated. Specimens of commercial Pinus radiata D.Don framing timber (untreated) and Pinus elliottii Englem. (untrea...
B C Peters, M Lenz, J W Creffield


One year performance of graveyard stakes in the Northern Territory of Australia
2006 - IRG/WP 06-30398
This paper presents the one year progress performance of in ground graveyard stakes exposed to numerous termite species and decay fungi in tropical field conditions. The field study examines the efficacy of a new timber preservative formulation developed at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The biocides used in the formulation are fipronil (a phenyl pyrazole) and trimethyl borate. The pre...
B Ahmed, J Hann, S Przewloka, P Vinden, P Blackwell, P Plews


Above and Below-Ground Depletion of Copper, Chromium and Arsenic from Pinus radiata and Fagus sylvatica at Thirteen Test Sites in New Zealand and Australia
2006 - IRG/WP 06-30402
The objective was to determine the significance of site and wood species on preservative depletion for a copper chrome arsenate preservative (CCA) from 20 x 20 x 500 mm field test stakes after 5.5 and 4.5 years for pine and beech respectively. At least 5 sacrificial stakes were used to produce site means. Site and wood species had a major effect on copper, chromium and arsenic loss from CCA treate...
R Wakeling


Performance of softwood preservative treated stakes after 4 years exposure in-ground to decay fungi and termites in tropical Australia
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10643
This field study was based on the 1993 IUFRO method and designed as a graveyard (in-ground) test in the tropical region of the Northern Territory to examine the efficacy of novel preservative formulations developed as alternative protection for softwood timber against decay fungi and termites for Hazard Class 3 and 4. This study was supported by the Forest and Wood Products Research and Develop...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French, S R Przewloka, P Vinden, J A Hann, P Blackwell


European House Borer Hylotrupes bajulus Linnaeus in Western Australia: the anatomy of an eradication program
2009 - IRG/WP 09-20403
In January 2004, European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus Linnaeus was detected in Perth, Western Australia. A containment program was set up and expanded to a full eradication campaign in 2008. The program is projected to eradicate EHB by 2021. This paper describes research work and assumptions on the biology and behaviour of EHB in Western Australia, surveillance and control methods, commun...
M Grimm, R J Cunningham, M Castalanelli, D Collins, L Vagg


Accelerated H3 above-ground decay trials in Australia
2009 - IRG/WP 09-20411
An above-ground H3 fungal field trial was installed at five sites (3 in Australia, 2 in New Zealand), with the aim of finding a method that would shorten the time required for evaluating new preservatives and protection systems. One-quarter of the H3 preservative retentions were mostly installed, as first results suitable for registration occur when these reach 70% soundness. Chemical analysis of ...
L J Cookson, J Carr


The case for using borates in termite control in tropical Australia
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30573
A brief historical overview of boron based wood preservatives efficacy against subterranean termite management worldwide, and in Australia, is presented. The boron based compounds to be used in H2 hazard conditions, may be applied as a surface treatment by dip, flood coat or spray, and rapidly penetrates to the centre of timber substrates, whether containing sapwood or heartwood. However, section ...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French


Preliminary laboratory and field evaluation on the performance of Rubbermite as a graded physical barrier against subterranean termite species in Australia
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10766
This paper describes the performance of Rubbermite as a potential graded particle barrier against two subterranean termite species of Coptotermes in laboratory and field test. The results of these bioassays suggest that Rubbermite is a viable control option against Coptotermes species in Australia, particularly against Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) and Coptotermes lacteus (Froggatt). Rubber...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French


Managing termite risks – An Australian perspective and a cautionary tale
2012 - IRG/WP 12-20482
The management of the risks of termite attack on new buildings in Australia falls to a range of agencies and is mostly achieved through controlling the process by which structures are certified as complying with the Building Code of Australia. Australian Standard AS3660 parts 1, 2 & 3 have historically been the core of this function but now the Building Codes Board's own certification scheme,...
D Ewart


Performance testing of DMDHEU-modified wood in Australia
2013 - IRG/WP 13-30613
Chemical wood modification with dimethyloldihydroxy-ethyleneurea (DMDHEU) or its derivatives has been researched for many years and shown to be applicable to improve certain wood properties to both solid lumber and wood-based composites. Earlier research proved a high biological resistance of DMDHEU-modified wood against biological degradation in laboratory and field tests in Europe. Due to the ve...
H Militz, J Norton


40 year results from the largest preservative in-ground stake trial conducted in Australia
2013 - IRG/WP 13-30624
The final results from Australia’s largest preservative in-ground stake trial are listed. There were eight test sites, six in Australia and two in Papua New Guinea. The preservatives tested include low and high temperature creosotes, PCP and various water-borne preservatives including CCA and copper chromate. The main timbers examined were sawn Pinus radiata sapwood, sawn Eucalyptus regnans hear...
L J Cookson


A comparison of the resistance of pyrethroid-treated wood to damage by Coptotermes acinaciformis in Australia and C. formosanus in China and the USA
2014 - IRG/WP 14-10830
Field trials, using a single aboveground method of exposure, were used to assess a range of retentions of two pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin) in Pinus radiata D. Don sapwood against two species of Coptotermes in three countries to provide directly comparable results. Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) in Australia, C. formosanus Shiraki in China and C. formosanus in the USA consumed simi...
J Creffield, M Lenz, D Scown, T Evans, Junhong Zhong, B Kard, J Hague, K Brown, E Freytag, J Curole, R Smith, T Shupe


Statistical analysis of 40 years of preservative in-ground stake testing in Australia
2014 - IRG/WP 14-20552
Wood is widely recognized as a valuable material, yet the natural durability of some wood species limits its use for certain outdoor purposes. For decades, a wide range of methods and chemicals have been developed to increase the resistance of wood against degrading microorganisms and termites. Preservative treatment has a long and widespread tradition in wood protection. Proper testing of the eff...
J Van den Bulcke, L J Cookson, I De Windt, W Li, J Van Acker


The susceptibility of oriented structural straw board (OSSB) to damage by subterranean wood-destroying and grass-feeding termites in Australia
2014 - IRG/WP 14-40683
The field performance of untreated oriented structural straw board (OSSB) made from wheat straw was evaluated against two economically important Australian species of wood destroying subterranean termite, Coptotermes acinaciformis and Mastotermes darwiniensis, and two Australian species of grass-feeding subterranean termite, Amitermes meridionalis and Nasutitermes triodiae. Oriented strand board (...
J Hague, D Scown, J Creffield, M Neal


In-service performance of treated plywood bridge decks in Australia
2017 - IRG/WP 17-40794
Engineered wood products have a long history of use in bridge construction in Australia. The first bridges incorporating chemically protected engineered wood components were installed in the 1850’s and some survive to this day. Preservative treated plywood bridge deck panels have been employed since the 1980’s as a replacement for the more traditional hardwood plank decks. This paper report...
M A Powell


Performance of untreated timbers in above ground decking tests: Preliminary results from an international collaborative trial
2019 - IRG/WP 19-10940
The ability to accurately predict wood decay risks under varying environmental conditions has long been of interest to timber users. Accurate predictions are difficult owing to the myriad of variables associated with the decay process including wood species, wood inhabiting organisms, timber building element design and environmental conditions. Despite these difficulties, decay predictions have be...
L P Francis, J Norton, E Melcher, A H H Wong, J Kok Lai, M Klamer, M J Konkler, J J. Morrell


Durability of fast- and slow-grown Douglas fir in above ground exposures in Australia
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11009
Natural durability is a key property for untreated timber used outdoors and exposed to the weather. The natural durability of fast- and slow-grown Douglas fir heartwood was compared in an above-ground L-joint field test near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The L-joint test provides conditions that are favourable to decay. Fast-grown (regrowth) Douglas fir had ≤ 10 growth rings per 50 mm, while ...
L P Francis


Australian timber durability research needs
2023 - IRG/WP 23-50385
Australia was once a world leader in timber durability research, but prolonged disinvestment resulted in a gradual decline in capacity. Forest and Wood Products Australia recognized this problem and supported the development of the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life to help reverse this decline and begin to educate the next generation of Australian researchers. The Centre is a collabor...
J J Morrell


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