Can I Do My Own Termite Baiting?

Termite Prevention and Control with Bait Systems
There is no preventative or control method that can guarantee that you will never get termites. However, you can greatly reduce the chances of termite invasion and manage current infestations by installing an appropriate Termite Baiting System, in combination with traditional termite control methods such as soil treatments, moisture control, foaming, removal of competing food sources, etc.

Step 1) Survey the Property 

Take a walk around the perimeter of the home, taking note of any conditions that are conducive to termites. You'll want to look for:

• Areas where wooden construction elements contact soil
• Puddles, pools, or excessive moisture caused by shade or   air conditioner unit condensation  
• Trees, shrubs or other foliage within three feet of the home
• Hollow tile walls
• Areas where stucco siding meets the concrete or soil
• Foundation cracks in the concrete, where the crack exceeds 1/16"
• Debris piles such as discarded wood or other cellulose material near the structure.

Step 2) Place the Termite Bait Stations

In most cases, termite bait stations should be place around the perimeter of the structure at intervals of approximately 8 to 10 feet. If areas exist where one or more of the above conditions are present, station placement should be more concentrated (stations placed at closer intervals).

• Dig holes about 6 inches deep, watching for water pipes, and gas or utility lines.
• Stations should be installed at a distance of about 1 to 2 feet from the foundation. This will help avoid any previous or subsequent barrier and soil treatments.
• When replacing the dirt around the station, be sure it is packed tightly to avoid air pockets.
• The lip of the station should be flush with the ground.
• Using a hand sketched map of your home, mark where each station is located so you will be able to find them later.

Step 3) Monitoring with Pre-Bait

Monitoring is critical during all stages of the baiting process. At this stage, each bait station should contain an inactive "pre-bait" - usually a piece of wood or inspection cartridge.  Once you have placed inactive bait stations containing a piece of wood or inspection cartridge in the ground, it will take time before the termites actually find the bait, since they are not immediately "attracted".

• Research has shown that it can take a termite colony between 1 to 5 months to find a bait station in the southern states, and up to a year or more in northern states. Patience and consistent monitoring (about every 3 months) key.
• The pre-bait should be replaced with active bait as soon as it shows signs of feeding: mud tubes in the station, live or dead termites...
• Putting out the toxic bait too soon would result in killing off the very workers needed to establish the feeding cycle.

Step 4) Monitoring with Active Termite Bait

• Once the active bait is in place, continue to monitor the bait station every 3 months, keeping a record of when you have checked them, and any observations.
• You are looking for feeding activity. As long as feeding activity is evident, the active bait may be left in place.
• Once feeding activity has stopped however, it should be assumed that the colony has been eliminated, and the active bait may again be replaced with a monitoring device such as a piece of wood or inspection cartridge.

Step 5) The process is then repeated with monitoring the pre-bait on a monthly basis and replacing with active termite bait as needed to prevent and manage future infestations.

Recommended Termite Baiting Systems:
Advance Termite Monitor Bait Station
 Used to hold the Advance termite monitoring base and wood base to detect subterranean termites.
First Line Termite Defense System Kit
 Complete Starter Kit for the Firstline Termite Defense System. Everything is included to provide your own Termite Control.

View all Termite Control Products