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ScienceQuiet 3d · day 5

UC Riverside researchers find chemical that kills 95% of termites safely

Bistrifluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, eliminates drywood termites by disrupting their molt cycle without harming humans.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 3d ago5 pieces Google NewsNewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • Bistrifluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, kills 95–99% of western drywood termites in laboratory tests by preventing exoskeleton formation during their mandatory molt cycle.
  • The chemical is selective to insects and harmless to humans because it targets chitin synthesis, which only insects use in their rigid outer coverings.
  • The treatment offers a potentially safer alternative to traditional fumigation for managing drywood termite infestations.

Nicholas Poulos Doctoral student and paper author, UCRDong-Hwan Choe UCR entomology professor and senior paper authorUniversity of California, Riverside Research institution

UC Riverside researchers find chemical that kills 95% of termites safely
sciencedaily.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 2:01 AM ET
  1. 1

    Research findings publicized as alternative to traditional fumigation

    The 2025 study results became widely reported, highlighting bistrifluron's mechanism: it disrupts the insect's ability to manufacture chitin for a new exoskeleton, forcing termites into a fatal molt when they cannot avoid the process.

    “Once the termites reach a certain stage, they have to molt. They cannot avoid that. With a lethal dose of this chemical, they'll try to shed their old exoskeleton but won't have a new one ready to protect them.”
    — Dong-Hwan Choe
  2. background

    UC Riverside study shows bistrifluron kills western drywood termites — A study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology demonstrated that bistrifluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, produced 95.7% mortality when termites had a choice between treated and untreated wood, and 99% mortality under continuous exposure in controlled laboratory experiments.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets New chemical wipes out 95% of termites without harming humans

    first by ScienceDaily, 4d ago · also Mirage News

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