ASTM D3345-22 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Evaluation of Resistance of Wood to Subterranean Termites

The standard "ASTM D3345-22 Standard test method for laboratory evaluation of resistance of wood to subterranean termites" developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) describes a test method for laboratory evaluation of treated or untreated wood for resistance to subterranean termites. This test method is considered a screening test for treated material and further evaluation by field methods is required.

According to this standard, there are two main types of termite biological tests:

• Selective testing: Termites are presented with two feeding targets that may or may not contain insecticidal ingredients. Differences in mass loss may indicate preference or avoidance of one material over another.
• No-choice testing: Termites are offered a single choice and mass loss indicates the insect’s ability to consume the material. In no-choice testing, mortality data are needed to determine the dose mortality rate based on consumption of test material, usually treated with suspect insecticidal compounds.

It is recommended that both selective and non-selective tests be performed when evaluating materials for resistance to subterranean termites because different tests address different behavioral responses of termites.

Details regarding the testing methodology are included in the final report and the use of selective or non-selective or both is noted in the report title.

The apparatus used in these tests includes:

• Containers, clear, clean glass or plastic: With loose-fitting tops, with liners removed, 220 cm3 to 450 cm3 in volume.
• Tray: Enamel, stainless steel or plastic, 0,25 m x 0,51 m in size and bucket.
• Paper towels or corrugated cardboard.
• Incubation room (or cabin): Maintained at a temperature between 25 degrees and 28 degrees.

Reagents and materials used in tests include:

• Benzalkonium chloride solution: 750 part benzalkonium chloride to 1 parts water. A comparable surface antiseptic is sufficient.
• Distilled or deionized water: Heat sterilized.
• Sand: Brown or white, sifted, washed and heat sterilized.
• Southern Yellow Pine: Rectangular, measuring 25,4 mm (6,4 in.) by XNUMX mm (XNUMX in.) longitudinally or tangentially. Sapwood, no visible defects, smooth surfaces equivalent to planed or sanded. All test specimens must come from the same parent board. Other tree species may be used, but each test using another species as the primary test tree requires additional controls to allow correlation of test results between laboratories.
• Subterranean termites: One of the main common species of the region being studied is used. Specific identification of any termite used is obtained and reported with the test data.

The amount of sterile distilled or deionized water to be added to the sand is determined by the type of termite used in the test. A moisture content of 8 percent to 10 percent and 15 percent to 20 percent should be used for tests using Coptotermes spp and Reticulitermes spp, respectively. Water should be added to the oven-dried sand in the following proportions: 100 g sand plus 8 mL to 10 mL of water for Coptotermes spp, 100 g sand plus 15 mL to 20 mL of water for Reticulitermes spp.

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