If you want to use Taurus SC for termite protection, then the product has to be used in the soil where the termites are, not just sprayed on the surface like you would do for ants. If you have piers under your home, then you would trench around those piers with the same rate and trench as if you were treating around the foundation of a structure. You can read more in our Termite Prevention Guide here.
Taurus SC Termiticide is not labeled for armyworms. A product like Talstar P Professional Insecticide would be a better option.
Taurus SC is not labeled for fleas. Fleas tend to live in moist shady areas out in the yard where pets or other animals spend a lot of time resting. Taurus SC, however, is only labeled to be used in very limited areas on or immediately next to the house or structure making it mostly ineffective for flea treatments. We recommend you use our Outdoor Flea & Tick Kit to get rid of fleas around your home. You should use a topical flea product that is labeled for use on animals such as Petcor if you are trying to also rid your pets of fleas.
A straw bale home is a very unique build so it may be hard to tell if termites are coming up through the bales themselves to access the wood that supports the bales in place. Subterranean termites need to be prevented by doing a full termite trench treatment around the outside perimeter of the home. Any subterranean termites that pass through the treated soil as they try to make their way up into the home would be eliminated. The Taurus SC is what we recommend doing the trenching treatment with as its one of the longest lasting (will protect the home at least 10 years). If there are any cracks in the concrete floor that would allow the termites to enter from an area other than around the sides of the home, you would have to drill and spot treat in those areas as needed. There isnt a way without ripping walls open to see if there are already some termites present in the bales, but there isnt anything about the bales that would be condusive to them thriving. Spot treating with the Termidor Foam where you see tubes appear is fine to do, and likely if you find them empty that means the colony didnt find what it was looking for and moved on. You can see at the link below how to do the full termite treatment but please let us know if you have any other questions
How to do a Termite Treatment
https://www.domyown.com/subterranean-termite-treatment-guide-a-478.html
No, Taurus SC Termiticide is not a systemic to be absorbed by roots and when dealing with carpenter ants you do not use a systemic. Carpenter ants only tear at the wood to create tunnels and galleries to nest in, they do not actually feed on the tree. Instead you can use Taurus SC to directly spot treat where the ants are in the tree as directed on the product label.
As long as the ground is not frozen, Taurus SC application is fine. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
When treating beneath concrete floors or slabs with Taurus SC Termiticide, come 2” – 3” off the foundation or foundation wall and drill holes every 10” to 12” apart using an 18” to 24” hammer drill bit. Measure the linear footage along the exterior perimeter wall or basement floor that is being treated. You will be applying 4 gallons of mixed solution every 10 linear feet into the drilled holes. Mix 0.8 fl oz per gallon of water and distribute 4 gallons of mixed solution (3.2 fl oz with 4 gallons of water) into the drilled holes using a hand pump sprayer or bucket. Each hole will typically hold ½ gallon of mixed solution. Allow the applicaiton to settle into the holes before plugging with Trebor Plugs or Conrete filler.
A 20 oz bottle of Taurus SC will treat 60 linear feet, the 78 oz bottle of Taurus SC will treat 240 linear feet. Please take a few moments to review our Termite Treament Guide for more information.
Taurus SC Termiticide has a shelf life of 3-5 years, if stored in a temperature stable environment and away from any direct sunlight.
Taurus SC Termiticide is should not be used on plants nor to treat soil in potted plants. It is only for use outside around the foundation of the home in the soil to protect your home from termites.
Termites do not normally attack live, healthy trees so you most likely will not find any products that will work as a treatment for potted plants. You can try using boiling water to kill any in the soil of the pots.As long as you observe the triple rinse rule of running clean water, or water and soap/tank cleaner through the sprayer including the hose, wand and nozzle three times between chemicals, you can reuse that sprayer for other purposes. Some customers however prefer to keep their applications of products like the Taurus SC to their own unit and have a different sprayer for plant/yard use.
Both Termidor SC and Taurus SC Termiticide have a 10-year residual when applied as a trench treatment directly against the exterior perimeter foundation. The 5-year time frame refers to the shelf life of the products when stored in their original container and out of extreme temperatures (heat/freezing) which applies to both Taurus SC and Termidor SC.
Taurus SC Termiticide can be applied with a foaming agent in a foam applicator for wall void applications as indicated on the product label only. Please find full instructions on page 6 and 7 of the label here.
Taurus SC typically does not kill insects quickly. Having said that, if the product was applied at a higher usage rate, or if the insects were old or otherwise unhealthy or the an insect spends a lot of time on a treated surface, they can succumb significantly faster than we usually see.
Taurus SC Termiticide is not labeled for grubs nor can it be used as a broadcast in a lawn. Dominion 2L would be a great option instead or any of the products listed on our Grub Killer Page.
No, unfortunately we do not carry any funnels that can be used to apply Taurus SC Termiticide. A funnel from your local hardware store should suffice.
Connecticut is one of the strictest states regarding limiting purchase and application of insecticide concentrates by persons without a Pest Control Operator's license. Two great options for ant control that include a non-repellent active ingredient are Arilon Insecticide (like a sprayable bait), or Transport Mikron Insecticide (dual-active ingredient). Please let us know if we can further assist you.
Taurus SC Termiticide is not labeled for fire ants. Depending if you are doing a broadcast or individual mound treatment, we would recommend using Talstar P or Talstar Xtra Granules for fire ant control. You may view the Pest Control Guide for Fire Ant Control in the blue banner on the top of the Fire Ant Control Page.
Yes Taurus SC can be sprayed around your house. It should be applied up against the structure in a trench for termites and/or topically for ant control directly against the foundation using a hand pump sprayer.
