An Effective Termite Bait System in Columbus, OH

Enhance your home's protection against pests by taking advantage of a termite bait system in Columbus, OH. At TORCO, we offer baits that add to the arsenal of tools available for managing termite populations and protecting structures. They work on the principle that foraging termites will feed on a treated cellulose material, which eventually kills the termites and possibly the colony. Some of the advantages of using baits are:

They are easy to install and use.
They cause less disruption to the environment.
They are odorless and ideal for structures with sub-slab heating systems.

However, baits can be more expensive than other forms of pest control, and they can take longer to take effect. That is why they are best used in conjunction with other pest control solutions like our liquid termite treatments. To learn more about baits or to discuss our other services, such as our termite damage repair and restoration solutions, reach out to our office.

More About Bait Systems

Baits work to control a colony locally, either by eliminating it or suppressing it to the point it no longer can damage any structures. To be successful, the baits need to be non-repellent, slow-acting, and readily consumed by termites. There are three major types of baits available:

1. Ingested Toxicants

2. Biotermiticides

3. Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)

Each type of bait has its own advantages and can be used differently in termite control programs. Ingested toxicants are typically the quickest to work, though dose dependency or learned avoidance may limit their effectiveness. Biotermicides are typically derived from fungi, bacteria, or nematodes and are injected directly into the area where the termites are. They then infect the foraging termites and will spread around the colony. Temperature and moisture, early detection, or learned avoidance may hinder the effectiveness of this type of bait.

As for Insect Growth Regulators, these products work to disrupt the termite's growth or block their molting process. IGRs are typically the slowest acting type of bait but usually have the best results.

Baits Available on the Market

Outpost™ Termite Bait Response (0.25% diflubenzuron) that is used in conjunction with the Outpost Termite Detection System (Bayer Corporation, Kansas City, MO; 1-800-331-2867; www.bayerprocentral.com/pest/products/view:outpost/). Diflubenzuron stops the termites' ability to molt, and it is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. It can be used in conjunction with a localized soil treatment or wood treatments to critical areas and sites with active termites.

Subterfuge™ Termite Bait (0.3% hydramethylnon) was recently marketed by BASF Corporation (Research Triangle Park, NC; 1-800-545-9525; www.spd.basf-corp.com/default.asp?page=pestpro/products/subterfuge). This is a slow-acting stomach poison that interferes with the termites' energy production. There is no published data on the efficacy of this product.

Ensystex, Inc.™ (0.25% diflubenzuron)(Fayetteville, NC, 1-888-398-3772; www.ensystex.com/). The active ingredient is a chitin synthesis inhibitor that kills termites by disrupting their molting process. It is labeled as Labyrinth termite bait.

First Line™ Termite Defense (0.01% sulfluramid), manufactured by FMC Corporation (Princeton, NJ; 1-800-321-1FMC; www.fmc-apgspec.com/). This product has been marketed since 1996, and it is labeled for use by PMPs for termite colony suppression. Its active ingredient is a slow-acting stomach toxicant that interferes with termite metabolic processes. The product is not currently a stand-alone product, although field trials are being conducted.

Sentricon Colony Elimination System™ (0.5% hexaflumuron), Dow AgroSciences LLC (Indianapolis, IN; 1-800-678-2388; www.sentricon.com/). This bait product was the first to be commercially introduced into the United States and has been marketed since 1995. It is labeled to achieve termite control without a supplementary soil treatment.