Traditional Knowledge on Termite Control in North Kerala, India and Their Preliminary Laboratory Screening

Swaran PR^1, , Sapna Jacob¹, Manesh Augustine¹ and Anushya AV²

¹Department of Zoology, Payyanur College, Payyanur, Kerala-670327

²Department of Zoology, Kannur University, Mananthavady, Kerala-670645

Cite this paper:
Swaran PR, Sapna Jacob, Manesh Augustine and Anushya AV. Traditional Knowledge on Termite Control in North Kerala, India and Their Preliminary Laboratory Screening. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2022; 10(12):762-765. doi: 10.12691/aees-10-12-9

Abstract

Termites are one of the most destructive insect pests of buildings across the world. Though chemical termiticides are widely used for controlling termites, it has many limitations for indoor use. Thus, an attempt was made to collect the traditional knowledge on termite control in Northern Kerala, and to test out the promising methods in the laboratory. Thirty houses each were surveyed in three geographical areas- Highland, Midland and Coastal area. Questionnaire survey was done for collecting information on the control methods adopted or known by the homeowners. The study showed that all the 90 homeowners are aware of at least one traditional method of termite control and 54 among them attempted controlling the termites using any of such methods. Ten traditional control methods were selected for preliminary screening in the laboratory of which seven were disproved. The three materials that gave positive results included Kerosene (undiluted), salt solution (1:1 in water) and Acrostichum aureum (The Golden Leather Fern). But these results only have indicative value and requires further detailed studies to understand better. The scope of present study was limited to collection of traditional knowledge and their preliminary screening mainly to falsify the ineffective methods.

Keywords:
Acrostichum aureum Building termites Termite control Traditional knowledge kerosene

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Mokabel, A.N.M., Gavi Gowda and Gowda, G. (2000). Evaluation of some important plant products for anti termite properties, Journal of Ecobiology, 12 (1), 3-8.
[2]	Sahay, N.S., Prajapati, C.J., Panara, K.A., Patel, J.D. and Singh, P.K. (2014). Anti-termite potential of plants selected from the SRISTI database of Grassroots Innovations, J. Biopest, 7(Supp.), 164-169.
[3]	Nyeko, P. and Olubayo, M.F. (2005). Participatory assessment of farmers' experiences of termite problems in agroforestry in Tororo district, Uganda. Agricultural Research & Extension Network Paper No. 143, 16pp.
[4]	Gupta, B.K. and Sen-Sarma, P.K. (1978).Antitermite properties of some anthraquinone derivatives. Holzforch. Und. Holzverw. Vienna. 30, 57-58.
[5]	Lin Tien Shu. (1998). Effects of essential oils from the leaves of seven Eucalyptus on the control of termite. Forest Products and Industries, 17 (4), 751-760.
[6]	Parihar, D.R. (1994). Termite management in arid zone of Rajasthan, India, Pest Management and Economic Zoology, 2(1), 81-84.
[7]	Varma, R.V. and Nair, K.S.S. (1997). Evaluation of newer termiticides including plant products for forest plantation establishment, KFRI Research Report. No.127, KFRI, Peechi, India, 24p.
[8]	Mahapatro, G.K., Debajyoti, C. and Gautam, R.D. (2017). Indian Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) on termites: Eco-friendly approaches to sustainable management, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 16(2), 333-340.