Abstract:
This study documented farmers' indigenous knowledge on termite damage and management
practices in Nakasongola district, Uganda using a pre-tcstcd questionnaire. The majority (84%)
of 94 farmers interviewed were aware of the termite damage on vegetation in rangelands and
croplands, and the damaging termite species. Pseudacanthotennes tniiitaris, Macrotennes subhyalinus^
M. hellicosus, Nasutiternies arhoreus and Euterntes arhontni were reported to cause severe damage
to pasture grass, trees and/or crops. Farmers' knowledge of termite damage was significantly
influenced by their age, sex and education. About half of the farmers had attempted to control
termites, but with little success. Application of chemicals was the most commonly reported
control method followed by queen removal. Farmers' efforts to control terinites were mainly
limited by high costs of chemicals and lack of knowledge on effective control methods. Implications
of these findings on the development and promotion of integrated termite management strategies are discussed