Do Termite Bait Systems Work?
Do Termite Bait Systems Work?
Remember, conventional barrier chemical systems do little if anything to kill off the colony. They simply put up a "force field" around your house. Worker termites are repelled by these chemicals and can die if they ingest the poison.
The new bait systems are really too new to know if they will completely kill off termite colonies entirely. The insect scientists are in disagreement. Some say that the colonies are fragmented and intermingle with other colonies. If this is so, then a particular colony may have a constant but smaller food supply from other workers who are not hitting the bait stations.
Other problems revolve around the poisons themselves. It is thought that the termites might smarten up and realize they are being poisoned. They have been know to communicate with other workers and pass the word about tainted food. If this happens, there is a possibility that the workers may bypass the bait/poison stations.
The speed of kill is another issue. The new baiting systems can take between 6 and 12 months to see a significant drop or stop to termite activity within your home. If you have anxiety about this length of time, you may want to combine the bait system with borate or traditional chemicals. This will cost you more money, but you will get quick, long lasting results.
Termite infestation? Pick the best exterminator using my Termite and Carpenter Ant Checklist. I offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
The bottom line is that early field results from the Sentricon system are very encouraging. Termite colonies are being killed off. Some termites are more resistant than others, but that is to be expected. Rest assured that the chemical companies will work long and hard to constantly improve the systems. There simply is too much money at stake!
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.
Column B176
