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Subterranean Termite Baiting Tips
Updated 11/17/07
Subterranean Termite Baiting is a relatively new concept. New techniques and methods are
constantly being implemented that will hopefully increase the effectiveness of termite
baiting. Here are some of the latest tips that if implemented properly, should help you
achieve the results you are looking for.
1. The HomeChoice TM,
and SmartDisk Termite Locator stations are termite detection devices.
They are only designed to establish a termite feeding cycle with the termite colony.
The wood or wood matrix that they contain does not contain any toxicant. These
termite detector stations can be used with any available over the counter Termite Bait
toxicant including Terminate, Firstline, TermiRid, etc.. The use of any other product is
not recommended. For best results, we recommend to only use EPA registered termite bait
materials.
2. Termite Detector Stations should be placed every 10
feet around the perimeter of the structure, and about 3 -4 feet from the foundation wall.
They can also be placed around detached garages, along fences, or even in the middle of
the yard if necessary or anywhere sub termites are suspected. It is very important to
place these stations in what are called, “critical areas”. Critical areas would
be those areas that are very conducive to termites or where moisture is prevalent such as
near water spigots, or sprinklers, in mulch, near kitchens, bathrooms, and attached
porches and decks.
3. Termite Detector Stations should not be placed into
areas where water frequently stands. In addition if terrmite Detector stations are found
to contain water, a deeper hole should be made to allow for station drainage.
4. Do not spray any pesticide into your Termite
Detector Stations. If ants invade your Termite Detector Stations, then use Award or Amdro
brand ant bait and NOT insecticide sprays or granules. The use of insecticide sprays or
granules will repel termites. Also, it it best to not spray near your Termite Detector
Stations with liquid insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
5. Prebaiting is very important in a termite baiting
system. This prebaiting period could take several months or longer depending on your
geographical area. Initially, only the scout termites will locate and feed on these
stations. It is very important to make sure that a solid feeding connection with worker
termites is established before using any toxicant baits.
6. Be sure to wash your hands prior to inspecting your Termite Detector
Stations. Pesticides, gasoline, motor oils, colognes, etc, that are on your hands will
repel the termites making your Termite Detector Stations unusable. Do not use any soap or
detergent to wash your Termite Detector Stations, this could also repel any foraging
termites. If your Termite Detector Stations become contaminated with any foreign
substance, replace the station with a new one.
When To Use and Replace Toxicant Baits
We recommend to only use a toxicant bait when approximately 50% of the wood detector is
eaten or when you can actually count 50 - 75 worker termites inside the detector station.
Toxicant baits that are used before a solid feeding connection is established will result
in the scout termites being killed and not the workers or soldiers. This will result in
dead termites, but the total effect on the colony will be limited. Replace the toxicant
whenever about 50% of it has been consumed by the termites. Continue replacing the
toxicant until 20-40 stakes have been eaten by the termites. This is enough toxicant
to kill 250,000 to 500,000 termites which is the population size of an average colony.
Simply look inside the toxicant stake to visually determine if it needs to be
replaced.
How To Place The Toxicant
It is best to place toxicant bait cartridges directly next to the Termite Detector
Stations and NOT INSIDE. Place the toxicant bait cartridges at an angle toward the bottom
and within about 1 inch of the Termite Detector Station. Leave the lid of the toxicant
bait station above ground so that you can view the inside of the station without removing
it from the ground. This will make it easy for the Termites to transition to the toxicant
bait cartridge while minimizing any disturbance of the termite feeding cycle. When
Inspecting the bait cartridge, either view it from the top, or gently remove it from the
ground. If you are not replacing the toxicant bait station, place it in the same hole in
the same direction that it was removed from the ground. This will ensure that any termite
tunnels that may have been broken are lined up. This will also aid in minimizing the
disturbance to any feeding termites.
When Are The Termites Under Control ?
A Terminate stake will approximately 10,000 to 30,000 termites if completely consumed.
The average subterranean termite colony in the United States contains approximately
250,000 to 500,000 individual termites. That means it may take as many as 50
Terminate stakes or more to completely get control of the termite colony. This is
the reason that it is very important to regularly check, maintain and replace the
toxicants. When the termites have consumed approximately 40-50 toxicant stations
(average), then you can be relatively assured that the termites are under control.
When the termites have consumed approximately 40-50 toxicant stations, and/or feeding has
stopped for a period of 6 months, and there is no indication of active termites anywhere
on the property or inside the structure, then you can be relatively sure that the termites
are under control. This is what is called the "standard of proof".
All professional bait systems use this same method in determining termite colony control,
elimination, eradication or whatever you want to call it.
The total number of termite toxicant stakes that is needed will depend on the number of
individual termites in the colony. In the Northern part of the United States, the
termite colonies are smaller. Some may only be 50,000 to 250,000 individuals.
In the Southern and Western parts of the United States, the termite colonies are
larger. 250,000 up to 5,000,000 termites may be found in a single colony.
Extremely large termite colonies (over 2,000,000) are not very common. These larger
termite colonies are usually associated with the Formosan Termite which is only found
along the gulf coast of the United States. The largest recorded Formosan Termite colony
was estimated to be 70,000,000 termites.
The bottom line is that regular maintenance and replacement of the termite toxicant
stations is critical to any success that will be achieved in your termite baiting efforts.
What To Do After Control Is Achieved.
After a "standard of proof" is achieved as explained above, the Termite Detector
Stations can be refilled with standard wood detectors.
Inspection of your termite stations can then be performed every 90 days. This
is recommended just as a safety guard against other termite colonies that may try to
invade your property. A dead termite colony is like a giant vacated insect hotel in
the ground. It it thought by many experts involved in Termite Baiting that these
vacated colonies in the ground could potentially harbor invading termites which could take
up residence in this vacated colony. Although this has not been documented,
many insects such as bees and wasps will routinely take up residence in other vacated
hives or nests. Termites could potentially do the same.
If after a "standard of proof" is achieved more termites are detected, or
found inside the structure, we recommend to revert back to a 30 day inspection cycle and
continue using toxicants as needed until control is achieved.
Before applying any toxicants please refer to it’s label directions for the proper
use and well as precautionary measures that should be taken before you use or apply that
material.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, or need to purchase additional bait
toxicants, HomeChoice Stations, SmartDisc Locators or replacement
parts, please contact us by calling toll free at 1-877-500-0011.
For additional information on HomeChoice Termite Bait Stations Click Here.
For additional information on the installation and inspection of
SmartDisc Termite
Locators Click Here.