We conducted indoor tests to evaluate termite control in two different types of rubber [non-vulcanized butyl rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)] with or without added anti-termite chemicals for termite-proofing the penetrations of plumbing in the foundations of wooden houses. In addition, we designed sample materials, which had a shape likely to be used in the actual site in the sleeve pipe method, for both supply and drainage piping. We examined the termite-proofing performance of each sample material by the field tests.
For the results of the indoor tests, boring by termite was observed in the non-vulcanized butyl rubber without added disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT). Furthermore, boring by the termite was inhibited by DOT added to the non-vulcanized butyl rubber and absolutely none were observed in the non-vulcanized butyl rubber with added 0.175% bifenthrin. In the field tests, no feeding damage or penetrations by termite were observed in the non-vulcanized butyl rubber, regardless of whether it contained DOT. In the indoor tests, EPDM packings showed similar tendency as that observed in non-vulcanized butyl rubber. However, for the supply and drainage piping of EPDM packing, feeding damage because of the termite was not observed in the field tests.
Because the leaching of DOT from the non-vulcanized butyl rubber and EPDM packing was slight in each test, it is recognized that these rubber materials maintain an effectual termite control function for a long period. It is confirmed that these rubber materials were probably enough to use for termite control in plumbing penetrations in the foundation of wooden houses.
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