Are Termite Bait Stations Enough? Reassessing Their Efficacy in High-Pressure Environments

Termite bait stations are increasingly becoming a popular method for termite control. However, if you live in an area of high termite pressure, baiting stations are likely not right for you. Just because they are "legal," doesn't mean they are the correct choice.

Myths:

The first myth is that baiting stations "attract" termites. This "misunderstanding" is not likely a simple mistake by homeowners. Indeed, by referring to the product as "Baiting Stations," it certainly would seem the Termite Prevention Companies want the homeowners to believe that the termites are "lured" toward these stations. This simply is not accurate. Termites live underground. They cannot see. They cannot smell. In fact, they randomly forage for cellulose - not unlike Mr. Magoo blindly driving around, termites blindly forage around until they simply bump into their food.

While bait stations may theoretically be effective, their limitations become apparent in areas with high termite pressure characterized by numerous colonies per acre. This post explores why termite bait stations might not be the optimal first choice in such environments and advocates for a more comprehensive approach.

The Challenges of High Density:

• Multiple Colony Bypass: In places like the gulf coast, there are often 20-30 colonies per acre. Consequently, the chances of termites bypassing the bait stations and reaching the house increase significantly. Unlike liquid barriers, bait stations offer localized control, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.

• Auxiliary Colony Formation: Formosan termites, an invasive species of subterranean termite, which are prevalent in the gulf coast region of the country, particularly in high-pressure regions, can establish secondary colonies within the house itself, known as carton nests. These nests can become secondary colonies (with secondary reproductive Queens and Kings), reducing reliance on ground foraging and potentially bypassing bait stations altogether.

• Rapid Colony Replacement: Even successful eradication of a single colony offers little reprieve. In high-pressure areas, neighboring colonies can quickly move in and exploit the vacated resources, negating the initial control efforts.

Other Limitations of Bait Station Design:

• Shallow Placement: Traditional bait stations are often shallowly buried, failing to reach the deeper foraging tunnels. This allows them to bypass the stations and access the house through undetected pathways.

• Station Spacing: The recommended spacing between bait stations has been increased to up to 30 feet and can leave massive gaps in the defense perimeter. NOTE: Termites only need 1/32 of an inch to travel, so tens of thousands of foraging termites should randomly pass between or underneath these so-called baiting stations - and once a single termite finds the cellulose in the home, it will release a pheromone that will change the behavior of other termites, driving them to the food source. The more termites that reach the structure will algebraically increase the number of termites that will be driven towards the house and away from any other food source, including the so-called baiting stations. Simply put, Termites are adept at navigating their environment and can easily exploit these massive gaps to reach the house.

Alternative Approaches for High-Pressure Zones:

• Liquid Termiticides: Liquid termiticides create a continuous barrier around the foundation, effectively deterring and eliminating termites trying to reach the house. This broader defense proves more effective in high-pressure environments. Before these termiticides can be registered with the EPA, they must be extensively field tested and proven to be 100% effective for at least 5 years. Therefore, if your termite company applies a liquid treatment according to the label instructions and adds additional chemicals when necessary to ensure that it remains active, your home should remain termite free.

Conclusion:

Relying on bait stations can lead to a false sense of security and potentially catastrophic damage. A more comprehensive approach, incorporating EPA registered liquid termiticides is crucial for adequate protection against the relentless onslaught of multiple termite colonies.

If you find that your house, or business has become infested with termites, call Cochran Bowers PC for a free consultation before calling your termite prevention company.

Cochran Bowers PC

2 Riverchase Ridge, Suite 150

Birmingham, AL 35244

205-460-1155

Source Links:

• https://www.pctonline.com/tag/termites/

• https://aaaexterminatingonline.com/

• https://exterra.com.au/how-do-termite-bait-stations-work-and-are-they-safe/

• https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef639

• http://cochranbowers.com

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a lawyer regarding your particular legal issues.