Indigenous knowledge of termites control methods in five farming communities in Gadau district Bauchi state Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted in five farming communities selected at random in Gadau district, Itas/Gadau Local Government, Bauchi State Nigeria. The research was aimed at identifying suitable and sustainable indigenous methods adopted by the local peasant farmers for termite control in which semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 20 farmers in each of the selected five communities who practice indigenous termite control methods. A total of 100 farmers who had applied various indigenous treatments on their crop fields against termites’ infestation were interviewed. 81 termites’ species, which varied in presence at each locality, and five termite prevention and control methods were identified in the area: (i) Direct pouring of water on the termite nest (ii) application of wood ash (iii) Application of a mixture of salt and Shea butter residue (iv)Mixture of cow urine and paper and (v) Application of Chemical (DDT). Application of wood ash was found to be the most common method used by the farmers. Despite their well-known role as pest, termites are considered important in the area because they provide necessary ecosystem services.