Termite Bait Stations

In the spring, homeowners may discover they have termites. Signs of infestation can be either mud tubes on basement walls or dark-bodied winged insects swarming inside the house.

Bait Systems are similar in the way they look and operate.

Stations are are placed in the ground at pre-determined intervals (see product label) to monitor termite activity. When activity is discovered some form of active ingredient is added to the station to help eradicate the colony of sub-terranean termites.

Should I use a Termite Baiting System?

There are termite control products on the market today called termite bait stations. These stations consist of plastic sleeves which are put in the ground around the house. Inside the sleeves are wood, paper, cardboard or some kind of bait replaced by a pesticide in a matrix that is attractive to workers. When workers hit or infest a station the bait part of the station is replace by the active termite bait that kills termites. Workers think it is food!

This Advanced Termite Bait Station Kit is the next generation in Termite Bait Systems. The station design features vertical slots that allow for maximum wood-to-soil contact, creating the perfect opportunity for termite attack.

Why are they called Termite Baiting Systems?

The function of this product is "termite baiting," because when workers find food, they often return to the colony to "tell" colony members about the food source. The message "FOOD! THIS WAY!" is delivered through through-out the colony that a new source of food. The workers lay down a pheromone trail from the food source to the colony. Other workers "smell" the trail and follow it to the food source. They have been baited, drawn by the bait.

Pesticides in Bait Stations

Pesticides used in bait stations fall into two classes of chemicals: insect growth regulators (IGR’s) and slow release toxicants. IGR’s are hormones specific to insects. The IGR’s in termite baits prevent termites from making new exoskeletons. The IGR’s are called chitin synthesis inhibitors. If a termite can not make a new exoskeleton, it will die. When slow release toxin systems are used, worker termites eat some of the active ingredient, return to the colony, and then die some distance from the bait station. The rest of the colony workers don’t associate the death of fellow workers with the bait, so they continue to feed at the station. Hopefully both methods will lead to the same conclusion, colony elimination and no more termites.

Brand Differences

• How the active ingredients works on termites.
• How close the stations are spaced to each other,
• How often the stations are checked,
• How long it takes the brand to kill termites,
• and the cost of bait and installation.

Pros

Termite baits have made it possible to treat homes that were previously untreatable using repellent liquid termiticides for one reason or another:

• Homes with basement construction, were difficult to keep termites out of.
• Homes built too low to the ground to liquid treat properly,
• Homes with a synthetic stucco covering,
• Homes that have lots of wood to ground contact.

Bait Systems continue to be the choice of those folks that don't want holes drilled into their homes and/or want any pesticides used until termites are detected and then only in a very small quantity and in a very small area.

Cons

Termite Bait Systems work slower to rid a structure of termites and are usually priced higher than liquid treatments. Termite Company servicing expenses can cause the annual renewal cost to soar with some annual fees topping $400 per year.

Conclusion

If you are considering having a bait system installed around your home, make sure you understand all the facts and contract limitations. The bait system is expensive to have installed and expensive to maintain. If your home has an infestation of termites, termite bait systems most always work slow. Bait Systems can easily take 6 months to one year to get rid of your termites. Because termite bait systems work slow; installing a bait system prior to having a termite infestation is a good idea.

Suggestion

You might consider installing and maintaining a termite bait system yourself. The ADVANCE TERMITE BAIT SYSTEM comes with complete installation directions and maintenance instructions. If you can dig a hole 10 inches deep with a post hole digger you can do it yourself and save a great deal of money.