Dimensionally stable sensors for a continuous monitoring program to detect subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) activity.

Abstract

A dimensionally stable sensor composed of a closed-cell polyethylene sheet on which a silver particle circuit was painted and sandwiched between two spruce stakes was tested for use in a monitoring program to detect subterranean termites. Sensors were connected to a datalogger for continuous monitoring of sensor circuit breakages over 12 mo, and were manually inspected monthly to assess sensor performance. The mean monthly sensor accuracy for three field test sites was 98.7%, with most false responses caused by early timing of the monthly inspection when termites entered the station before damaging the sensor circuits. Mean sensor longevity (the time for a sensor circuit to break in the absence of termites) of the dimensionally stable sensors was 11.7 mo; a substantial improvement over the 4.4-mo longevity recorded previously for wooden sensors.