A sentinel network for vibration-based termite control

白蚁危害代价高昂，通过化学方法根除白蚁对环境和健康都是有害的。由于白蚁使用振动来做出觅食决定和窃听竞争对手/捕食者，因此使用振动来检测和控制白蚁是可行的，但到目前为止还没有尝试过。将建立一个智能哨兵网络，使木材基础设施能够持续监测白蚁，并利用特定的振动信号和操控结构驱除白蚁，最大限度地减少对环境和健康的影响。为了使这个网络高效有效，通过研究白蚁对集体行为的习惯化和信号适应，可以更好地理解振动如何影响白蚁的社会性。

Termite damage is costly and eradication via chemicals is hazardous to environment and health. As termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions and eavesdrop on competitors/predators, it is feasible but not attempted hitherto to detect and control termites using vibrations. A smart sentinel network will be developed to enable timber infrastructure to be continuously monitored for termites and for termites to be repelled using specific vibration signals and manipulated structures, with minimal environmental and health impacts. For this network to be efficient and effective, an improved understanding on how vibrations influence termite sociality will be obtained by studying habituation and signal adaptation on collective behaviour.