Plant Industry - Structural Pest New Information on Bait Control
TERMITE BAITS
The southeast has some of the highest termite pressure in the country. Most homes in Georgia will have one or more termite colonies feeding in the area. These termites, when feeding on fallen trees and stumps are considered beneficial. It is only when they attack our homes that they become a problem. The presence of termites in the yard, in a stump for example, does not mean that there are termites in your home. It does show, however, that termites are in the area. That is why it is very important to maintain a complete annual inspection program on your home.
The conventional theory of termite control involves establishing a chemical barrier in the soil that termites either cannot or will not penetrate. Recently, several termite baits have become available for use by both the professional pest control operator and the homeowner. The theory of baits is to combine a delayed-action insecticide with a palatable food for the termites (usually sawdust or cardboard) The bait is then placed in a container or station and installed either below the soil or attached to an active feeding site. As the termites feed on the bait, and spread it throughout the colony, the population of the colony will be reduced, perhaps even eliminating the colony.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The selection of bait versus conventional barrier treatment, or a combination, will largely depend upon the preferences of the homeowner.
All pesticide applications must be made consistent with label directions. Before using any pesticide read and follow all label directions.
Conventional Barrier Treatments
Advantages:
1. Control is achieved faster than with baits
2. Generally lasts 5 years or more
3. Long history of proven control
Disadvantages:
1. Not recommended for homeowner use
2. May have an odor associated with its use. The odor may last for several days to weeks
3. Requires drilling of slabs and other masonry components
4. May contaminate nearby bodies of water during application
5. Does not affect the termite colony
Termite Baits
Advantages:
1. No odor
2. May be safer to use around bodies of water
3. Attempts to reduce or eliminate the actual colony
4. Does not require drilling of slabs and other masonry components
5. Very low in mammalian toxicity
Disadvantages:
1. Not an attractant – relies on termites finding the bait as they forage. If they do not find the bait they will not be affected by it.
2. If bait becomes contaminated by other pesticides or otherwise made unacceptable, the termites may not consume it.
3. Some baits are dose dependent ( the more bait the termite consumes, the quicker it will die). If termites die in or very near the bait station other termites may be repelled.
4. Requires frequent monitoring of the bait station, however, checking stations too often may cause the termites to stop feeding in the area.
5. Other termite colonies may move into the area once the original colony's population is reduced
HOMEOWNERS AND BAITS. There are a few items that the do-it-yourself homeowner must keep in mind when using baits:
1. Termite control is not a one-time treatment only. It is a continual process. Installing a few baits around a home and walking away will not protect the structure.
2. Termite colonies are living systems. Once the number of termites in one colony is reduced, the neighboring termite colonies may expand their foraging borders. In addition, new colonies may develop from termite swarmers. Termite control is continuous for as long as the structure stands.
3. Care must be used when installing the baits. Household chemical odors may be transferred to the bait and potentially repel termites. If the house has been treated with conventional liquid termiticides previously, the baits must be installed outside the barrier zone.
4. Care must be used when checking the baits. If termites are crushed during this process, the crushed bodies will repel other foragers.
5. A thorough inspection of the structure performed by a professional pest control operator at least once a year is critical for termite control. As stated earlier, baits do not lure termites to them, the termites simply "bump" into them as they are looking for food. It is possible for termites to be active in the structure and not active in the bait stations.
TERMITE INSPECTIONS
A complete inspection of your entire home should be performed by a professional pest control operator at least once each year. The inspection should include visual inspection as well as probing wooden members of the structure. An inspection for an average size home should take at least one hour. If you have an inspection program on your home, your contract will tell you how often the company will inspect. To facilitate an inspection, please pull stored objects away from walls in garages and basements.
For more information on termites, please refer to TERMITES AND THEIR CONTROL and STUCCO & TERMITES.
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