Video
Trials

Our patented CO₂ technology and termite attractant, Interval33™, are based on research conducted at Colorado State University.  The attraction of subterranean termites to specific concentrations of carbon dioxide was first demonstrated in laboratory tests using an apparatus designed specifically for testing behavioral responses of termites to volatile cues.  The responses of subterranean termites to CO₂ are robust and consistent enough that, when repeated, these experiments consistently produce the same results.  To demonstrate this attraction, we set up this same experiment and video-recorded the termite responses.

For this test, the termites are introduced into the long end of a glass shaped tube.  Once they reach the junction of the tube, they have a choice of going towards the CO₂ end, from which flows a defined concentration of CO₂ in ambient air, or towards the control end, from which flows ambient air.  Both ends of the tube are bent at a 45° angle and serve as pitfall traps to hold the termites at whichever end they have chosen.  The video shows the responses of Reticulitermes tibialis to carbon dioxide.  Check out the Lab Trials page for a detailed description of the experiments and to see how 3 subterranean termite species responded to carbon dioxide.