How Premise 2 Termiticide Works

Premise 2 Termiticide works differently from other termiticide products that are designed to simply repel or keep termites away from the treated soil area without killing them. Premise is a non-repellent termiticide, meaning that termites do not detect that Premise is present. Premise creates an undetectable “Treated Zone” around the home, where termites unknowingly eat treated cellulose or tunnel into treated soil. The exposed termites then remain unaffected for a few days before sudden death occurs. In the meantime, the exposed termites are able to spread the Premise chemical to unexposed termites by physical contact when they feed or groom the other termites, resulting in a domino death effect that wipes out more of the colony. Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Premise, is the most widely used insecticide in the world with a proven track record of success – less than one percent retreat rate.

Target Pests

Subterranean termites, drywood termites, wood-infesting beetles, ants

PESTS CONTROLLED:

Subterranean termites, carpenter ants, drywood termites, dampwood termites, wood-infesting beetles or borers (such as powder post beetles, anobiid or deathwatch beetles, false powder post beetles, old house borers, wharf borers, ambrosia or bark beetles); carpenter bees; ants; aerial nests in tree hollows or non-structural wooden construction

Target Uses

Premise 2 Termiticide is an excellent product for trenching and soil drenching, foaming, or for treating wood. Premise 2 is one of the most trusted insecticides for pre- and post-construction subterranean termite treatments, but it can also be used for most other wood-destroying pests. Use Premise 2 to treat localized infestations of drywood termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood-infesting beetles, and even aerial termite nests on structures or in trees or non-structural wood. Premise 2 Insecticide comes in a liquid formulation convenient for smaller jobs, spot treatments, or foam dilutions. Premise 2 can also be used as a perimeter spray for many types of ants and to protect firewood or other wood products store in contact with soil from carpenter and termites.

Indoor applications are limited to void treatments for active infestations of listed pests. For small void treatments, consider the convenient formulation of ready-to-use Premise Foam.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Imidacloprid 21.4%

Application Instructions

Shake well before using.

The purpose of chemical soil treatment for termite control is to establish a continuous chemical treated zone (horizontal and/or vertical as needed) between the wood and other cellulose material in the structure and the termite colonies in the soil. Use a 0.05% to 0.1% dilution based on local recommendations. Where severe or persistent infestations occur, a 0.1% dilution may be used.

For post-construction subterranean termite treatments, apply 4 gallons of a 0.1% solution per 10 lineal feet in a 6 in. x 6 in. trench around the perimeter of the structure to be treated. In areas where concrete is adjacent to the foundation, such as garages, driveways, etc., use a ½” in. x 18” hammer drill bit to drill holes 10”-12” apart and apply finished dilution termiticide at the same rate of 4 gallons per 10 lineal feet. See our article How to Do a Termite Treatment for more information.

For pre-construction concrete slab-on-ground or basements, apply an overall treatment to the entire surface of soil or other substrate to be covered by the slab including areas to be under carports, porches, basement floor and entrance platforms. Apply at the rate of 1 gallon of solution to accurately and uniformly cover 10 square feet. If fill under slab is gravel or other coarse aggregate, apply at the rate of 1.5 gallons or sufficient volume of solution to accurate and uniformly cover 10 sq. ft. In addition, apply 4 gallons of solution per 10 lineal feet to provide a uniform treated zone in soil at critical areas such as along the inside of foundation walls, and around plumbing, bath traps, utility services, and other features that will penetrate the slab.

In situations where necessary, conventional application methods can be supplemented through use of foam generating equipment, or similar devices, to provide a continuous treated zone. Foam application may be made alone or in combination with conventional application methods, provided that the labeled amount of active ingredient per unit area is used. See Mixing Table for Premise 2 Insecticide Foam on p. 32 of product label for more details.

Each 8 oz. bottle of concentrate yields 15 to 30 gallons of finished solution.

Standard Application Dilution Rates / Mixing Ratios:

• 8 ml (0.27 fl. oz.)/ gal. of water – 0.05% - lower infestations
• 16 mL (0.54 fl. oz.)/gal. of water – 0.10% - most termite applications, severe infestations of wood-infesting pests

For use in the following areas:

Pre- and post-construction termite treatments in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; termites in trees, utility poles, fencing and decking materials, landscape timbers and similar non-structural wood-to-soil contacts; structural voids, crawl spaces, hollow block foundations

Indoors

Indoor application is limited to spot treatment of active termite infestations in high risk areas such as plumbing and utility penetrations, along settlement cracks and expansion joints, and dirt-filled porches, and void treatments using injection of sprays, mists or foams into above ground structural voids, termite carton nests, and other infested locations.

Outdoors

For properties with wells or cisterns inside foundations: Do not apply within 5 feet of any well or cistern. Treat soil between 5 and 10 feet from the well or cistern by the backfill method only.

For control of ants in houses and other structures: Apply a 0.05 to 0.1% solution as a general surface, spot, crack and crevice or wall void application. Apply to surfaces on buildings, porches, patios and other structures, around doors and windows, eaves and attic vents, utility entry points, soffit areas and other exterior openings where these pests enter the structure or where they crawl or hide. Spray into cracks and crevices. Treat soil, turf, or ground cover adjacent to the structure where ants are trailing or may find food or harborage. Apply to flower, shrub, or ornamental plant beds adjacent to the structure where ants may find food or forage. Maximum application is once per month to maintain control.

Premise 2 Termiticide Features

• Non-repellent treatment, undetectable “Treated Zone” around structures
• The original Imidacloprid termiticide
• Use for other wood-infesting pests such as carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-infesting beetles
• May be converted to a foam for void or hollow block treatments

Extra Tips

• Shake well before using.
• Keep children and pets out of treatment area until treatment has dried.
• Do not use against native or imported fire ants, pharaoh, or harvester ants.
• Before beginning a treatment, determine the location of underground utility lines, the main water line shut-off valve, and if there is radiant heat or sub-slab air ducts.
• In heavy clay soils, rod holes should be spaced 3-4 inches apart. In lighter and sandy soils, rod holes can be spaced 6-8 inches apart.
• Where the soil is heavy, PREMISE 75 can be applied by reducing hole spacing, or by increasing the concentrations of Premise 75 two-fold in half the volume.
• Houses that have large settlement voids or sand fill should be treated by long rodding underneath the slab.
• Technicians should determine if air ducts in slabs are a perimeter system or a radial system before drilling and treating. Perimeter systems that run along the foundation can complicate treatment.
• Ducts made of cardboard, or that have rusted out, should be sealed, and a recommendation should be made to the homeowner to install an alternate system.
• Foaming void areas is an effective way to obtain complete coverage.
• Do not treat soil beneath structures that contain cisterns or wells. Consult state and local specifications for recommended distances of wells from the treated area.
• A borascope is a useful tool for determining what is located beneath a slab or behind a foundation wall.

Compare to: Dominion 2L, Adonis 2F