Effectiveness of Fumigants Against Marine Wood-Borers

The fumigants Vapam (sodium N-methyl dithiocarbamate), methylisothiocyanate (MS), Vorlex (MS in a hydrocarbon solvent), and chloropicrin (trichloronitromethane) were tested for their effectiveness in preventing or arresting attack by marine wood-borers. Rough-sawn, green boards of Douglas-fir were internally treated with 6 or 40 cc of fumigant, then configured on a metal rack and immersed for 3 years in wood-borer infested seawater at either Newport (Oregon), San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Damage was evaluated annually. Other specimens consisting of untreated, surfaced boards that had become infested with shipworms were fumigant-treated and re-immersed at Newport. Marine wood-borer populations and extent of damage within these boards were periodically measured for 20 months. In general, for both preventing and arresting infestations of marine wood-borers, MS or Vorlex at 40 cc was found to be the most effective of the fumigants tested. Further research is suggested.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member