Of the four groups of invasive urban pests found in the United States (cockroach, termite, ant, and wasp), termites are economically most important. Two invasive termite pests,the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)and Asian subterranean tremite (C. getroi) are found in the U.S, and in recent years the once tropical species of C. gestroi has expanded northward and is now sympatric in at least three areas in the world, Taiwan, Hawaii, and SE Florida. Hybrid populations may be present in these sympatric zones. There are two main options for subterranean termite control, soil treatment with liquid insecticides and application of baits to eliminate termite colony(s). Bits are more environmentally benign and can eliminate colony(s). The ability of a bait to eliminate target colony(s) is important for management of invasive termite species, but currently >50% of subterranean termite control still employ soil treatment. In the field of termite control, the challenge is the regulatory and policy gap, rather than technology gap.
