Have you set up your termite bait system and wondering when the termites are coming?
This can happen for a number of reasons. Termites are very sensitive to changes in their environment so you’ll need to box clever when using your bait stations. We’ve put together a few tips to help you understand what’s happening and what you can do to improve the success of your termite bait stations.
The Baiting Area Is Contaminated
If you have declared war on the insects in your garden, it can be easy to get carried away with pesticides and other chemical treatments. However, if you spray an area before you set up baits, it’s likely the termites won’t go back to that area because it’s been contaminated.
When it comes to termites, the goal is to kill millions, not a few hundred. That’s why baiting is such an effective method for killing entire colonies, as they take the bait back to their nest and kill it from the inside. Avoid spraying pesticide or household pest sprays like Mortein as it will only encourage them to move to another part of your home.
Ideally, place bait in an organic spot they are already feeding on. This could be a bait station, inside a wall or on a window where they are active. Jam the bait on, cover it and leave it to rest for at least 3 weeks. This leads to our next point, playing the waiting game.
Checking Too Early
This is an easy mistake to make because we often let our curiosity get the best of us.
We recommend waiting three weeks before checking an area that you have baited. Checking every day disturbs the termites and they’ll stop coming back. Different species of termites have different metabolism rates, so some are more aggressive feeders than others. This could be another reason why the termites don’t take to it straight away.
If you are still finding they aren’t taking the bait, we have a follow-up service on the phone. Give us a call and we’ll talk you through possible reasons why it can happen and how to try to find a better area. Although it doesn’t happen often, termites are animals and they can be unpredictable. Perseverance and patience are key.
The Bait Mixture is Contaminated
Preparing the bait takes some care. It arrives as a powder and will need to be mixed with water, creating a putty substance that is placed on the baiting areas and in stations.
There are a few things you can do to avoid contaminating the bait whilst mixing it. Wash your hands, put clean gloves on and use distilled or bottled water. Avoid tap water as this has chemicals that could turn off the termite. Also be careful not to burn candles, incense or cigarettes as the smoke can contaminate the bait mixture.
Termites will pick up on substances that are not part of their natural environment. The bait has been specially formulated and proven to kill termites — we use the same bait powder in our professional inspections at CTS Termite & Pest Control — so these extra precautions will ensure your bait is 100% effective.
When putting the spare bait powder away, make sure the container is properly sealed and store it in a high and dry place, away from moisture. It’s proven to remain effective for five years and will likely last longer if properly stored.
Here is a quick video on how to mix your termite bait:
The Bait Stations Are Too Spread Out
If you are new to termite bait stations, you might be unsure how many you need to set up around your home. We recommend setting them up every three metres to ensure that they cannot breach through a section. This is the golden rule for us professionally.
Setting up strategic stations can work well if you cannot afford the full system, but it’s a risk we wouldn’t recommend taking. Think of the cost/benefit ratio if they did penetrate and start causing damage.
Order Your Termite Baiting System Today
TermiGold is a proven termite treatment solution that is Australian owned and operated. We let Aussie homeowners take control of their termite control with the same materials, baits and knowledge used by professionals. Order your Termite Baiting Station to get started today!
