Assessment of sustainability and the effectiveness of natural treatments of forested woods in the State of Rio Grande do Sul for the control of drywood termites

Abstract

Wood is a unique renewable construction material. It is a universal economical, historical and sustainable material. Most types of wood are naturally resistant against xylophagous agents. However, some forested woods are not resistant to them and need some kind of treatment. One of the most destructive xylophagous is the drywood termite - Cryptotermes brevis - which require wood cellulose for their survival. They infect most coastal regions of Brazil. Until recently the control of this insect was made with products based on mercurials, arsenicals, phenolchorides and other chemicals, causing a high environmental impact. This paper presents tests that have been made with alternative products for controlling this plague, which have low environmental impact and low risks for the health of mammals. These are based on natural products obtained from plant extracts and minerals which have been tested in several reforestation woods from the state of Rio Grande do Sul: Araucaria angustifolia, Pinus spp. and Eucalyptus grandis. The results of this study indicate that those treatments are effective for the treatment of reforestation woods for different types of applications in construction.