Chemical treatment is used extensively to protect buildings from termite infestation. Current termiticide formulations have faced several limitations that influence their termiticidal efficacy, for example limited soil penetration capacity and limited (<15 years) lifetimes. Therefore there is a need for a long-life chemical barrier technology that can better penetrate soil, and which possesses the ability to become active only after a period of weeks following application to ensure termites escape the building prior to activation.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a nano-formulation technology that has the potential to solve the application and synthesis problems described. The technology utilises a cheap, commercially available precursor material that avoids the need for expensive surfactants or chemical reactions. The nano-formulation technology has a high loading capacity of active ingredient in its nano-dispersed form (ie no aggregation/formation of large crystals is observed). The technology can be used to precisely control the release rate and can enhance the soil penetration of the active ingredient.
Key Features
- Scalable, cheap and facile synthesis of nano-termiticide formulations
- High loading capacity of active ingredients without aggregation/crystallisation
- Applicable to different active ingredients, eg bifenthrin, fipronil
- Precisely controllable release rate and enhanced soil penetration.