Society

Environmentally sound termite control method takes hold

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-29 08:37

NANJING - An environmentally friendly way to control termites has become popular in East China's Jiangsu province and replaced an insecticide that poses a threat to human health.

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The new technology uses a special smell to attract termites to take the bait.

The bait stops termites from growing and reduces the reproductive capabilities of the termite queen, according to Yu Hongxia, deputy chief of the Jiangsu Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau.

"The new termite control system is non-toxic and completely environmentally friendly," she added.

The development of the product aims to replace the main termite control product -- chlordane, which cannot be easily broken down and can stay inside animals and humans for entire lives.

Chlordane, also associated with testicular cancer, is one of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) banned by the Stockholm Convention.

All nine companies that produced chlordane-based pesticides were once located in Jiangsu, one of China's most seriously termite-infested areas.

Jiangsu had shut down all nine chlordane production plants by the end of 2008, said Hong Lan, an official with the China Mirex and Chlordane Replacement for Termite Control Project.

So far, more than 400,000 termite control bait systems have been installed in 59 cities, counties and districts in Jiangsu, Hong said.