Effects of Worker-Soldier Termite Ratio on the Mortality Rate Exposed to Chlorfluazuron Baits

Baiting is a preferred method of controlling termite populations by manipulating the foraging behavior and social existence of subterranean termites, in which food is transferred among termite workers and other nestmates via a process known as trophallaxis, which serves as a mechanism for the distribution of slow-acting toxicants across the entire termite colony. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of termite ratio on the mortality rate of subterranean termite when exposed to chlorfluazuron bait. When termite was exposed to baits in a different set of ratios, there are differences in the mortality rate observed. In a series of bio-assays, termites with a worker-to-soldier ratio of 50 to 2 had the highest mortality rate. A higher mortality rate was observed in a ratio set of 50 personnel to 0 soldiers (p0.05) when termites were given no choice of foods. As a result, a termite interaction (workers: soldiers) in the ratios of 50:0 and 50:02 is considered the best ratio for termite mutual interaction stability. Any disruption in the equilibrium of termite worker and soldier ratios would disrupt the termite interaction's harmony.