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[EN] A laboratory no-choice test following the standard EN-117 was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of wood modified with different technologies against subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes spp. European beech modified with DMDHEU, acetylated radiata pine, and furfurylated Southern yellow pine were used for termite testing. Before the bioassay, half the number of the specimens (including controls) was subjected to an accelerated aging test according to EN-84. The specimens were exposed for 8 wk to the termites. Additionally, mass losses were measured. The results indicated that the feeding pressure was sufficient according to EN-117 for a valid test. Acetylated wood and DMDHEU-modified wood were classified as durable, showing excellent termite resistance. Furfurylated wood was resistant in the case of non-leached specimens; however, the leaching process led to a classification of non-durable. Thus, the new modification technologies open a real possibility of their use in the Mediterranean region as alternative preventive treatments against subterranean termites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[EN] We investigated the effect of wax-treated and biocide-free wood specimens against three different termite species. A laboratory no-choice test with Reticulitermes banyulensis Clement was carried out in Valencia (Spain) under Mediterranean conditions for eight weeks. Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L) fully impregnated with distinct waxes was used. Two field trials were conducted with Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) and Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt in northern Queensland (Australia) with wax-impregnated beech (Fagus sylvatica L) for 16 weeks. All three subterranean termites are of major economic importance in their respective regions. The results indicated that feeding pressure by the termites was sufficient within all trials for a valid test. Wax-impregnated Scots pine sapwood was classified as durable. No termites survived the test. The results showed an aging process under submersion conditions, which lead to a classification of moderately durable. The paraffin treatment showed good termite resistance under both test procedures, and was classified as durable. The Australian field trials showed a decreased mass loss of wax-treated beech, in which an amide wax showed excellent termite resistance. The results indicate a clear dependence of the termite resistance on the type and ratio of wax used and the feeding preferences of the specific termite species. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., The authors thank Clariant Produkte Deutschland GmbH (Gersthofen) for providing the waxes and financial support for this project.