Despite the prevalence of termites across the US, they are often misunderstood by many homeowners. This is also true for the control methods that can be used to remove termite infestations. These methods have evolved over the years, and now homeowners have two, very effective options to protect their home – the chemical barrier, and the baiting system. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the baiting system.
What is the termite baiting system?
Baiting systems are meant to completely destroy a termite colony, as opposed to chemical barriers, which will only stop termites from travelling from the colony to the home. While the chemical barrier provides a more immediate relief from the infestation, the colony will still continue to exist and possibly infest other areas of your property. The baiting system however will take longer to remove an infestation, but once it is removed, your entire property is protected. As such, if you need immediate relief from an infestation, and you do not need to worry about other buildings or areas of your property being infested, the chemical barrier is the better option. However, many homeowners will choose to implement both treatment options because together they provide a complete defense.
The baiting system consists of a set of containers that are placed into the ground, and in these containers, you will have cellulose laced with a slow acting termiticide. The laced cellulose is then carried back to the colony and shared around. Different termiticides will have different mechanisms of action, but the ultimate outcome is the same – the colony will be destroyed.
The installation process
Termite baits are installed in fairly shallow holes in the ground around the home. This shallower depth will allow the pest control pros to routinely check the baits in order to make sure that they are being consumed by termites. Sometimes, the containers will be initially set with unlaced cellulose in order to determine whether they have been placed in the right area. This is in fact the most challenging part of the installation process – making sure that the termites find the bait.
While baiting systems can be installed DIY, it’s best to have a professional on the job so that the baits are installed effectively and that the termites find them as soon as possible. If you would like to know more about baiting systems, or if you have a termite infestation and you would like to get rid of it, contact us today.
