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Termite control bait

Various methods are employed for combating pest termites and different baits are one of those. Termite control baits are considered useful and effective tools for managing infestations of those pest insects.

Most of the termite baits are inserted below ground in the yard. They can also be installed above ground, in known areas of pest termite activity. Usually the stations are installed right in the path of active termite tunnels after the mud tubes have been broken.

As termites cannot see or smell the baits underground, their discovery is an accidental event. In order to increase the probability of such a find, the baiting stations are installed at fixed intervals, 10 to 20 feet apart in known or suspected areas of termite activity. Termites are most active from spring through fall so baiting during the cold season is usually less valuable. It is also obvious, that the more termite bait stations are installed; the better is the likelihood of locating termites.

Termite colony elimination in favorable circumstances may take several weeks to a few months. Where a large number of termites find and consume the bait, then colony elimination is virtually assured within a few months. However, in some cases, termite colony elimination is unsuccessful or may take even years.

Termite baits are designed to be slow acting and non-repellant. Termiticides spread to other termites in the colony before the colony can detect where the deadly effect is coming from. Commonly used chemicals are diflubenzuron and noviflumuron. Both are chitin synthesis inhibitors (termite growth regulating agents) and kill by disrupting the termite molting process. However, if termites detect the location of toxic food or if the workers and soldiers are disturbed too much, termite colony abandons that particular territory.

On some properties, baits may constitute the only form of treatment; on others, they may be supplemented with a partial or complete liquid application. A termite monitoring and baiting program can be integrated with a range of other methods as drilling susceptible trees and eradication of any termite nest located therein in conjunction with a follow up chemical soil treatment.