Termites in rural Nigeria: exploring agricultural damage and management strategies in smallholder farming systems

Termites pose a significant threat to agricultural communities, causing substantial damage to crops, stored produce, and wooden structures. This study aimed to assess termite-related agricultural damage, farmer knowledge, and management practices in two states in Nigeria, and identified factors influencing the uptake of new control methods. To inform the questionnaire, focus group discussions were conducted across seven Local Government Areas (twelve participants per group), leading to the development of a structured 23-questions survey, which was administered to 1,327 smallholder farmers. This was complemented by field observation and taxonomic termite identification. Analyses revealed that termite-specific knowledge was a strong predictor of the adoption of control measures (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient=0.75, Z=40.89, P<0.001) and was negatively associated with reported losses (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient=-0.18, P=0.001). Several control methods were perceived as effective, with 35.1 % of farmers citing mechanical destruction of mounds as the most effective approach, followed by burning of plant residues on mounds (20.5%), and pesticide application (20.2%). Yet, no single approach emerged as universally superior. Instead, results highlight the need for combining diverse, context-specific strategies to manage termite damage both pre- and postharvest. Lastly, two termite species, Reticulitermes lucifugus and Amitermes hastatus , were reported for the first time in Nigeria. Overall, these findings highlight the complexity of termite management in smallholder systems and the limitations of single-method approaches, providing strong evidence in supports of Integrated Pest Management tailored to local realities. Strengthening farmer knowledge and training is likely to enhance the adoption and effectiveness of sustainable control approaches. Termite control is complex and no single control methods is universally superior. Locally tailored IPM, backed by farmer training and targeted knowledge dissemination is essential for sustainable termite management. • First largescale study of termite damage and control in Nigerian smallholder farms • Knowledge of farmers was critical in reducing termite losses and shaping control • Individual methods are inadequate; integrated, context-specific approaches required • Findings support IPM and farmer training as sustainable paths for pest management