TERMITE BAITS AND MONITORING SYSTEMS
these systems are a recent innovation in termite control. Termiticide baits control termites by eliminating or reducing the size of the termite colony. They do not create a barrier around the structure, as do the liquid insecticides discussed earlier. Presently, termiticide baits are either insect growth regulators (IGRs) or slow acting poisons. The use of termiticide baits can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for a conventional liquid insecticide.
There are two strategies for the use of termiticide baits. One involves the placement of monitoring devices containing untreated wood or other cellulose material in the soil around the structure to be protected. When termites are detected in the monitoring device, the untreated cellulose material is replaced with a treated material, referred to as "termiticide bait". The bait material is replenished as long as termites continue feeding. For the bait system to be effective the proper number of stations must be installed and the stations must be inspected or monitored regularly as indicated on the product label. When termites stop feeding, the bait is replaced with untreated wood or other cellulose material. As a variation of this strategy, devices may be pre-baited and placed in the soil in areas where termites are present.
The second bait strategy currently in use involves the attachment of bait devices directly to the surface of construction elements where termites are actively feeding. These devices are pre-baited and are attached to the foundation walls, floor joists, sub-floor and other similar locations. Termites then feed on the bait material.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the use of termiticide baits. Baits may be used to treat structures that cannot be treated with liquid termiticides due to the presence of a well, inaccessibility of infested areas or concerns about the use of pesticides. However, in most cases, termiticide baits do not provide quick control of the termite infestation. In addition, the maintenance of bait system service agreements is normally more expensive than maintenance of conventional treatment warranties.
SentriconTM Colony Elimination System
In-ground stations
There are two types of bait stations used in the SentriconTM system: in-ground and aboveground.
The in-ground stations serve two purposes:
1. Prevention. As a preventive measure to catch termite infestations early on.
2. Remedial control. As a tool to manage existing infestations.
The system uses a perforated plastic monitoring cylinder with a flat ring cover and a tamper-resistant cap. The cylinder lies vertically underground and contains two wooden monitoring devices. These monitoring stations are installed around the perimeter of a structure. They can also be installed in other locations around the property where termites may be suspected.
When termite activity is detected in a monitoring station, a tube containing Recruit IITM, termite bait, replaces the wooden monitoring devices. Recruit IITM is a cellulose-based material impregnated with the pesticide hexaflumuron, a chemical which prevents termites from molting. Continual monitoring of the other monitoring stations is crucial, even after bait has been applied.
Aboveground stations
One limitation of the in-ground stations is the amount of time it could take for termites of an existing infestation to find the monitoring systems. Aboveground stations have only one purpose: to manage existing infestations while reducing the need for traditional pesticide spot treatments.
The aboveground bait stations are hollow plastic boxes with open bottom ends and removable plastic covers. They contain the familiar Recruit IITM termite bait. The aboveground stations are applied directly to an existing termite infestation, unlike the in-ground stations which require waiting for termites to find monitoring stations.
The important thing to remember here is that the aboveground bait stations are not used to prevent termite attack--they are used only to control existing termite problems.
Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control, in particular the Sentricon AG and IG Termite Bait, delivers ascientifically tried and proven approach to termite control. It is the only system that continually protects your home as discreetly and silently as the termites that can attack it.
Proven colony elimination.
Before the Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control system, this wasn't even possible. With the Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control system, termite colony elimination has become the standard. And when we say proven, we're talking about conclusive independent research at 30 universities, reported in 45 published scientific articles, and by Australian research organisations. Ask for proof from other commercially available termite treatments and you'll find very limited - if any - documentation.
Easy to live with.
With small Sentricon stations placed discreetly around the home, the Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control system is less of an aggravation than traditional liquid chemical treatments:
- No drilling in floors and foundations
- No digging or trenching
- No chemical solution injected in the ground under and around a home
- No tank trucks of chemical solution
- No scheduling hassles
Environmentally responsible.
The Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control system was developed with a green mentality. In contrast to liquid chemical treatments, which use hundreds of gallons of chemical solution, the Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control system uses only a few grams of active ingredient when and where needed to wipe out the colony. Sentricon AG can be placed where active termites are found and when colony elimination is achieved, they are removed. Likewise, Sentricon IG Termite Bait is only there when you need it and thenSentricon IG stations and your professional pest manager provide ongoing monitoring for new termite attacks.
Manufacturer commitment.
Sentricon* IIAdvanced Termite Control system installed
Sentricon Termite Bait is distributed through the termite colony
Following colony elimination, Sentricon IG remains in place
Your professional pest manager provides ongoing monitoring
With its extensive termite and entomology expertise, DowAgroSciences proudly offers the most advanced pest management technology. DowAgroSciences is a global leader in pest management solutions.
So rest easy. When you notice a Sentricon station under a bush or next to the deck, or when you see your professional pest manager monitoring for termite activity, you know termite concerns are a thing of the past. With continued service, the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system will stay on guard to protect the value of your home.
1. How do I know if I have a termite problem?
2. What is in Sentricon AG and IG termite bait that eliminates termite colonies?
3. Is the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system effective against the kind of termites I have?
4. What's the difference between termite baits? Aren't they all pretty much the same?
5. What if my house is already infested with subterranean termites?
6. How long does it take to eliminate an existing colony?
7. If my neighbors use the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system, is my house protected, too?
8. Why don't the termites just go between the Sentricon stations to reach my house?
9. Does the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system eliminate termite colonies?
10. When the colony has been eliminated, will the Sentricon stations be removed?
11. If I don't have a termite problem now, can the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system protect my home from future invasions?
How do I know if I have a termite problem?
A pest management professional should inspect your home for evidence of termites, such as wood damage and mud tubes. Be sure to speak up if you've seen swarming termites or discarded wings near doors and windows.
What is in Sentricon AG and IG termite bait that eliminates termite colonies?
The active ingredient in Sentricon IG and AG termite bait is hexaflumuron, an insect growth regulator (IGR). It interrupts the termites' necessary ability to moult, which means they are unable to grow and, therefore, die.
Is the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system effective against the kind of termites I have?
Sentricon AG and IG termite bait is effective against all economically important subterranean (not drywood) termite species in Australia. It does the job in varying soil conditions and climates, whether desert, tropical or temperate.
What's the difference between termite baits? Aren't they all pretty much the same?
No, not at all. Even products within the same class of chemistry have different effects on a termite colony. The active ingredient in Sentricon termite bait - hexaflumuron - affects termites slowly, allowing them to recruit their nestmates to feed on the bait, ultimately causing termite colony elimination. With some termite baits, the active ingredient may cause termites to die or become ill near the bait station. In these cases, termite nestmates tend to avoid the baited area, reducing the effectiveness of the bait on the colony. Plus, many of these baits are not very effective, so they require a simultaneous liquid chemical treatment. The Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system is a stand-alone termite treatment.
What if my house is already infested with subterranean termites?
If termites have been found infesting the home, your professional pest manager will place a Sentricon AG (above-ground) bait station along mud tubes and other known termite infestation areas. Together, in-ground Sentricon stations and above-groundbait stations can reach more termites, more quickly, to eliminate the colony.
How long does it take to eliminate an existing colony?
Although the exact amount of time to eliminate an existing colony varies depending on termite species and geographical factors, once the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system is installed, it begins working immediately. Professional pest managers are trained to regularly monitor the Sentricon stations and introduce termite bait when termites attack them. (Ask your professional pest manager about the average length of time necessary for colony elimination in your area.) This monitoring process continues even after the termite colony is eliminated, providing your home with security.
If my neighbors use the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system, is my house protected, too?
No. The Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system can only protect structures where it's installed. There may be many colonies foraging in your neighborhood, and the one attacking your home is not necessarily the one attacking your neighbour's home.
Why don't the termites just go between the Sentricon stations to reach my house?
Termites are always looking for new feeding sites, even though they may have already located an abundant food source. Plus, termites feed randomly among all feeding sites within their foraging area. So, if termites are foraging near a home, it's likely they'll find and attack the monitoring devices in one or more of the Sentricon stations. Once they hit the monitoring devices, termite bait will be placed in the Sentricon station(s) to begin the process of colony elimination.
Does the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control systems eliminate termite colonies?
Yes. The Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system provides proven termite colony elimination. And with continued service from a professional pest manager, it continues to protect homes from future invasions.
When the colony has been eliminated, will the Sentricon stations be removed?
No. Sentricon termite bait will be removed from the Sentricon stations and replaced with monitoring devices, but the Sentricon stations will remain in the ground. Once a termite colony has been eliminated, another one could invade your property. With continued service, regular monitoring of the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system by a professional pest manager protects a home from future termite invasions.
If I don't have a termite problem now, can the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control systems protect my home from future invasions?
Yes. Ongoing monitoring makes the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system good at stopping a current infestation and preventing a future one. When termites begin to feed on the monitoring devices in the Sentricon stations, the monitoring devices are replaced with Baitube™ devices containing Sentricon termite bait, which ultimately leads to the colony's demise. Many homeowners with no known termite problems have used the Sentricon* II Advanced Termite Control system to help make sure the property stays that way.