Abstract
The resistance of yemane (Gmelina arborea Roxb.)-based wood wool cement board (WWCB) against Philippine termites was evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Tests were conducted following the FPRDI standard procedures in determining the resistance of WWCB against subterranean and drywood termites. Results of the laboratory tests showed that WWCB was resistant to both Microcerotermes losbañosensis Oshima and Cryptotermes dudleyi Banks. Under field conditions, WWCB was highly resistant to subterranean termites. There was no remarkable termite damage except for the normal nibbling or initial termite feeding on the board during the 8-year exposure period.
Highlights
IntroductionWood wool cement board (WWCB) is a panel product basically made of wood strands and ordinary
Wood wool cement board (WWCB) is a panel product basically made of wood strands and ordinaryPortland cement
The G. arborea wood block was moderately durable to subterranean termites, though some cases of termite attacks have been reported
Summary
Wood wool cement board (WWCB) is a panel product basically made of wood strands and ordinary. The Coptotermes vastator Light, Microcerotermes losbañosensis Oshima, Macrotermes gilvus Hagen and Nasutitermes luzonicus Oshima are the major subterranean termite species that destroy houses and buildings in the country They gain access to wooden components of the structures by constructing mud tubes in a more or less concealed manner along underground electrical cables, plumbing lines, and inside cracks and crevices of concrete posts, walls or foundations. Composites made from sengon wood (Paraserianthes falcataria) and betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) were found resistant to subterranean termites Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann under laboratory conditions [3]. Both types of boards, were not completely immune to termite attack as shown by termite feeding on their surfaces. This study on the resistance of G. arborea-based WWCB to termite attack under laboratory and field conditions was a step in this direction
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