Aspects of chemical control of the old house borer, Hylotrupes bajulus (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The formulation of Dursban®, manufactured by Dow Chemical Corp., and its diluting agent were found to influence the penetration abilities of the final spray when it is applied to pine sapwood. The diluent of choice for providing the best penetration of the active ingredient, chlorpyrifos, is an Oil-based carrier for the formulated product Dursban® WT. Dursban® TC, another product containing chlorpyrifos, will penetrate the wood surface better when diluted with water, not with an oil-based carrier such as kerosene. Residual amounts of Dursban® TC applied to pine sapwood will remain relatively constant six months after the initial treatment at depths of 400 - 600 microns below the surface.

The wood moisture content (WMC) of treated pine sapwood did not significantly influence the penetration abilities of Dursban® TC at 7.5% - 8.0% and 14.5% - 16.0% WMC. A 1.0% water-diluted formulation of Dursban® TC applied to pine sapwood is predicted to be capable of penetrating the treated wood to a depth of 1320 microns.