Termite Treatment: Baiting/Elimination Systems

Following is a listing of some of the companies that are currently marketing total termite colony elimination baiting systems. Dow AgroSciences introduced the first colony elimination system in 1995. The other players will enjoy success if their systems are effective at killing the worker termites.

Your biggest problem may be finding an authorized pest control company that can use the system on your house. Only one company at this time allows you to install the system yourself - that being Spectracide. Their product was introduced in the spring of 1998. The other systems must be professionally installed and monitored. Contact the companies below. At the time of this offering, several were offering free videos and other nifty information! When you call, you will be given the name(s) of local pest control companies.

FirstLine

FirstLine is the only system in the industry that includes termite baits, liquid termiticides and software for complete control. There are three major components of the FirstLine Termite Defense System:

• FirstLine GT Plus Termite Bait Station with SMARTDISC locator and Monitoring Station
• Talstar Termiticide/Insecticide
• SMARTRAK Series of Software Solutions

Sentricon
Dow AgroSciences

Sentricon was the first termite baiting system. This system employs a chemical called hexaflumuron - a growth regulator. This chemical prohibits the termite from molting or growing a new outer skin. Without a new skin, the termite basically "bursts" as it tries to grow. Death can occur within one to two months after ingestion.

The Sentricon System provides property protection through a three-step process: detection of termites, elimination of termite colonies and preventive protection against reinfestation by regular monitoring for new termite activity.

Exterra Termite Interception & Baiting System
Ensystex

Spectracide Terminate
Spectrum Brands

Spectracide Terminate is the only system that is sold directly to homeowners! It is a temporary treatment to prevent infestation and is not intended as a substitute for soil or other treatment to control termites underground.

Author's Note: We've received other emails with similar problems or questions. Here's one from Aaron S. of Los Angeles, CA, regarding termite fumigation.

"My house was fumigated for termites covered with a tent etc. After removing the tent two days later, we entered our house but there was no odor of gas at all.  A while later, we saw insects, spiders, roaches etc. moving around. The fumigation company claims that they mix a substance with the gas so that it will not have an odor. My question: Shouldn't there be a gas odor and dead insects? We can't see the termites inside the wall, but we feel that if all the insects are still alive, probably the termites are not dead either. Please, let us hear you opinion. Thank you very much!"

Doing a little online checking, the chemical used during termite fumigation is targeting only termites. It will not kill spiders, ants, bed bugs or cockroaches. So Aaron, you may still see other insects moving around.