A Brief Guide to Termite Baiting
Termites are one of the most feared pests and many of us have had the experience of dealing with them. Over the years, the process of termite control has evolved significantly. Instead of traditional insecticide sprays, now we have the option of using termite baiting systems. Before discussing these baiting systems in detail, let us take a look at some preliminary facts about termite.
Basic Facts about Termites:
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termites and they live below ground in intermingling and cooperative colonies. The termite colonies occupy multiple feeding sites. In general, these colonies are connect with the feeding sites via underground tunnels. Larger termite colonies can forage over as much as a hectare and may contain over a million of individual termites. In residential settings, damage to the property is often caused by a colony or colonies located in the yard of a neighbour or an adjacent parklands. Once a suitable feeding site is found, the worker termites create an invisible odour trail that attracts as well as guides their nest mates to the site.
The Traditional Treatment Approach:
Until recent times, application of liquid pesticides was the most common method of controlling subterranean termites. with this method, pesticides are applied around and under the building to create a chemical soil barrier so deter termite entry into the structure. Though these treatments are usually effective, termicides are used in large volumes. The liquid barrier applications used nowadays are less toxic compared to the past. However, even now, some homeowners find this technique objectionable because of the harm it may cause to the environment.
Baiting Procedure:
As already mentioned briefly, this advanced technology operates by eliminating the entire termite colony.
Typically, the baits are placed below the ground around the affected building’s entire parimeter. Hollow plastic cylinders are generally used as the bait stations and these cylinders have slits along the sides so that termites can enter. These stations are typically installed within 300 mm of the building’s foundation and spaced at intervals of 3 – 5 m apart. Getting termites to find the station is the greatest challenge in this process. The probability of discovery depends mostly on the colony’s number, size, and foraging intensity.
Steps Involved in Baiting:
Effective termite baiting involves the flowing steps.
- Pre-Baiting: This step involves the placement of monitoring stations in the soil for the purpose of creating a feeding channel between the bait station and the termite colony.
- Toxicant: In this step, baits containing an insect growth regulator are placed in the feeding station.
- Elimination: Once enough feeding on the bait has occurred, the termites are eliminated.
If you are looking for an effective as well as environment friendly way to eliminate termite from your building, contact our experts without any delay. Our baiting systems have been used with satisfaction by over 100,000 offices and homes across the country.
