I always recommend a termite treatment over bait station protection. We do use bait stations in addition to our treatment. If we have seen termites in the area, we will use stations for monitoring and treatment purposes. They have different types of bait stations.
The red-eye station allows you to see if there is activity and apply treatment without touching the trap. This is why we dislike the competitions stations. They require pulling the trap out of the ground for inspection. This can cause technician error.
One example would be if the technician has something on his hands that can contaminate the trap. A smoker touching the traps could make the termites avoid the trap. With no treatment protecting your home, the termites will go past the trap and straight for your home.
Why does the competition use one trap exclusively?
They sign an agreement to exclusively use this one trap. This means if there was a better treatment they could not use the better method. We will never let a product company control our treatment methods. When it comes to treatment and detection I want to use every tool in my tool belt.
Are they checking every trap?
The one thing I learned while doing landscaping is we cover the traps up. Spacing is very important when it comes to detection. If the inspector misses a trap because it was covered up, it could cause them to miss the signs of termites on your property.
Most companies charge for missing or damaged stations. The parts can only be purchased by these companies.
What is in the competitions traps?
They use a cellulosic (wood) base to attract foraging termites. They only apply treatment if they find active termites. This means multiple and potentially costly visits, that gets passed on to there customers.
Continous barrier vs discontinuous barrier?
This is the most important question. Do you want to trust your biggest investment to a continuous barrier versus traps that have gaps between the traps?
Why use a nonrepellent termiticide?
When a termite comes into contact with a nonrepellent they spread it to the rest of the colony. The product has a growth regulator that controls the termite growth. This will keep them from reproducing and growing the colony.
How long will the treatment last?
It depends on the type of chemical. They typically last 5 to 10 years. Some factors can affect the time the product will maintain its strength. Flooding is one example, we recommend reporting any flooding on your property.
How is the treatment installed on my property?
The first step is to dig a continuous barrier around your home. The driveway and some porches will require drilling and inject the chemical. After the treatment, we will patch the holes. The patch will depend on the drilling surface. We have foam, plastic and concrete patches.
Thank you for reading the Total Spraying post,
John Hesford (904) 982-2500