Each year Georgians spend about $56 million on termite control and damage repair. Nationwide, that figure swells to $1 billion annually.

This economic impact has helped drive research toward finding better methods of controlling termites. Studies show that good termite control involves a variety of tactics — wood treatments, soil treatments, baits and moisture control.

However, many questions remain about termites' complex social structure and biology. Research into these areas will help develop treatment standards for baiting systems and new, environmentally friendly control technologies.

To learn more about termite colonies, Brian Forschler, an entomologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, applies four techniques: behavior observation, species identification, genetic markers and capture, mark and release.

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