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Using Termite Baits
- Baits
fool
worker
termites
into poisoning the colony -
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Summary:
Termite baits are a low toxicity alternative to
soil-applied termiticides/insecticides to protect
homes from termite damage. Baits can also be used in
conjunction with conventional insecticide
treatments.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU
Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Termite baits
Special termite
baits are now available to monitor and
eliminate subterranean termite colonies. Baits
consist of some type of cellulose, which is the part
of wood that termites need, that may, or may not, be
laced with insecticide or insect growth regulator.
The different baiting systems (see below) differ in
how they present the bait to foraging termites and
which insecticide or growth regulator is used. The
advantage of baits over soil treatments is that
baiting uses far less insecticide and is more
eco-friendly than conventional treatments.
Termite baiting works
by essentially fooling worker termites into taking
poisoned bait back to the colony. Foraging worker
termites find the bait and recruit fellow workers to
the new "food source". The colony, and queen, are
slowly poisoned when the toxin is brought back and
fed to the nest.
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A subterranean
termite worker, or "sub". Workers
locate bait and bring it back to the nest
where it is fed to nestmates.
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Is termite baiting a DIY
project?
Baiting for termite
control can be complicated and time-consuming. Most
homeowners will conclude that the time and effort
involved is more than they want to commit. In this
case an experienced pest control company should be
hired to set-up your baiting program. On the other
hand, DIY termite baiting can be very
economical compared to professional, post-construction
treatments (see Termite
Control Options).
There are a number of
termite baiting systems that all work pretty much the
same. First, stations are placed either above ground
or buried below ground. These initial stations usually
do not contain poison, their only purpose is to
establish a foraging pattern. Once termite feeding is
established the poison is placed in the stations.
Poisoned cellulose bait is then carried back to the
colonies by the worker termites.
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Popular
termite
bait systems (manufacturer)
Advance
(Whitmire
Micro Gen) - available as DIY; uses
diflubenzuron insect growth regulator
Firstline
(FMC)
-
available as DIY; uses sulfluramid a
slow-acting insecticide
Sentricon
(Dow) - generally not available as DIY
Subterfuge
(BASF) - generally not available as DIY
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Do I need to bait for
termites?
Baiting is best used in
areas where subterranean termites are the dominant
structural insect pest such as regions with a warm
tropical or semi-tropical climate. For example,
baiting should be a part of your regular termite
management if you live in Florida,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North & South
Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, and northern
Australia. Baiting may not be of much benefit
if you live in an area where subterranean termites are
not the dominant structural pest.
Baiting can be a do it
yourself (DIY) project as kits and individual
components are now available for some bait systems
(left). Some kits can be purchased online; see Termite Bait Systems & Supplies.
However, it takes time and effort to establish
the baiting stations and monitor them effectively.
Instructions for establishing and monitoring the
stations differ somewhat between products but are
explained in detail on the package labels. It is
important that you follow these instructions
carefully.
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
well.
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