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Control Method
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Repellent Liquid Termiticide
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Non-repellent Liquid Termiticide
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Bait Systems
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How it is supposed to control Subterranean Termites
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The termiticide is injected into the soil around the foundation of the home. The slab is drilled and the soil treated underneath. Trenches are dug around the foundation outside and within crawl spaces and filled with termiticide. The termiticide repels the termites and ideally turns them away from the structure.
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The structure is drilled, trenched and injected as with the repellent liquid, but the termiticide is not repellent to the termites. The termites cannot detect the non-repellent termiticide in the soil so they tunnel into it and are killed.
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Wood monitoring stakes are inside stations that are placed in the ground around the structure. Monitors are inspected monthly or quarterly. If termites are found inside a station, the bait is put in. Termites consume the bait and are killed. Sentricon and Exterra baits are designed to kill the termite colony.
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Termiticide Products used by Certified Pest Control Operators
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Tribute, Demon TC, Dragnet, Prelude, Prevail, Talstar and Torpedo
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Premise
Termidor (NEW 2000)
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Sentricon
Exterra
FirstLine (used in combination with liquid treatment)
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Relative costs
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Usually the least expensive of the 3 treatments. Preparing for the injection of the liquid is labor intensive and the greatest source of the cost. Many gallons of termiticide are used in the treatment (~ 4 gallons /10 linear feet).
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Can be more expensive than the repellent treatment because the termiticide is more costly. The application is the same as the repellent treatment so labor costs are equivalent.
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Sentricon is the most expensive treatment. The station installation and monthly monitoring are responsible for most of the cost. Other bait products vary, but are usually priced between barrier treatments and Sentricon.
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Treatment longevity
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Under optimal conditions repellent termiticides can last ~ 5 years
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Premise < 5 years
Termidor 5+ years
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Continuous process of monitoring with baits applied as necessary.
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Advantages
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Provides immediate protection for the structure. Relatively low cost and long lasting.
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Provides immediate protection for the structure. Most effective treatment because it kills foraging termites.
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Environmentally friendly, extremely low toxicity to humans and pets.
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Disadvantages
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Termites are not killed, just turned away from the chemical. They often find tiny gaps in the treatment and tunnel through them to the structure.
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