wood destroying insects causing damage to $5 billion a year.

Information obtained from: University of California, FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATOR [http://www.ucfpl.ucop.edu/biodet/intro.htm]

Wood protection and repair of damage to wooden structures caused by wood-destroying insects in the United States are estimated to cost the general public in excess of $5 billion per year. The cost in California exceeds $1billion per year. Control costs attributed to non wood-infesting pests could add an additional $5 billion per year nationwide. Currently, protection of structures necessitates the use of substantial quantities of toxic chemicals. Continued use of pesticides is a serious concern to the general public. Obviously, alternative strategies need to be developed for the protection of our structures

The biodeterioration of wood by insects is an important ecological process in forest and wild land ecosystems. Without the activities of wood consuming insects, important nutrients would not be returned to the soil. Non wood-infesting insect pests of structures (e.g., cockroaches, ants, etc.) also have natural ecological roles, though their contributions to urban environments is not as clear or defined. However, together wood-destroying and non wood infesting insects do cause substantial structural damage.

The Structural Pest Research and Extension Center (SPREC) was created to bring together specialists interested in melding their disciplines to investigate environmentally acceptable strategies for structural pest management. SPREC will develop information to more fully understand the biology and ecology of structural pests and also to develop technologies to detect, control, and prevent the destructive activities of wood- and non wood-destroying pests. SPREC will serve as a center for scientists and educators from universities, government, and industry to work cooperatively to solve structural pest problems pertaining to northern California. This Center will also provide strong and innovative leadership by coordinating both basic and applied research on structural pest management.

SPREC was formally organized in January 1992. This Center joins other Centers and Programs at the USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS) and Forest Products Laboratory (UCFPL), some examples include the Chemical Ecology of Forest Insects (USDA-FS), the Non-Destructive Evaluation Center (UCFPL) and the Service to Industry Program (UCFPL). Numerous interactions are expected between these Centers.


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