| abstract |
A termite bait system is disclosed having two compartments, a non-toxic preconditioning compartment (or "P-compartment") and a toxicant compartment (or "T-compartment"). A passage connects the P-compartment to the T-compartment. Initially this passage is blocked by a plug of a material that termites can eat through over time. The P-compartment contains a small amount of food without any toxicant. The T-compartment contains food that has been treated with a toxicant. Termites from the targeted colony-or from a different, but amicable colony-are placed in the P-compartment, where they are allowed to feed on the non-toxic food. An exit from the P-compartment, for example a tube, leads to a shelter tube of the targeted colony. The shelter tube is preferably left undisturbed by the operator of the CPBS system. Termites from the P-compartment build a shelter tube or lay down chemical signals from the P-compartment to the target colony or its shelter tubes. Termites from the target colony then travel to the P-compartment, where they feed on the non-toxic food. After a time, the termites eat through the plug between the two compartments, and begin feeding on the toxicant-laced food in the T-compartment. The colony eventually dies as toxicant is distributed throughout the colony. |