EPA efficacy testing guidelines for termites and wood-destroying pests

EPA- registered pesticide products may be labeled for use against a variety of invertebrate pests. Applicants are required to submit efficacy data for claims specifically pertaining to public health and structural pests (as outlined in the Product Performance Rule, 40 CFR, Part 158, Subpart R). The EPA has a series of Product Performance Test Guidelines (Series 810, Group C) that provide applicants with guidance on how to conduct efficacy studies. A number of these guidelines have been recently revised to increase the clarity and consistency in efficacy testing and to assist in the development of appropriate protocols to test product efficacy in support of pesticide registrations. Ongoing efforts to update the guidelines that pertain to termites and wood destroying pests (‘810.3600 – Structural Treatments’; ‘810.3800 – Methods for Efficacy Testing of Termite Baits’) will be discussed.