UF review suggests new approaches needed if biological control of termites to succeed

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It sounds like a pest control technician’s dream come true — eradicating hard-to-reach underground termite colonies by introducing small quantities of a pathogen or parasite, a practice called biological control.

But after 50 years of research, scientists have yet to deliver a successful method. Researchers’ efforts have been hindered by flawed experiments and lack of field testing, according to experts with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.