Taurus SC Termiticide is not for use outside as a broadcast nor safe to use on pastures.
Taurus SC Termiticide when used as a general surface spray around the foundation of the structure, rather than as a termite treatment, will only hold up to the outdoor elements about 30-90 days much like most insecticides on the market. UV rays, rain, and other environmental factors will break the product down on the surface over time. You could potentially get a 2 month residual out of each application, but it all depends on the outdoor elements in that time frame. Often, customers see the effects of a transfer insecticide like Taurus for longer than its actually still present on the surface, as it can eliminate large insect colonies that will take longer to build back up to a level you need to spray for again. You can also do a combo of two applications at 0.4 oz per gallon each time, and a single application at 0.8 oz per gallon if you wanted, as well as the options you mentioned. Ideally you would want to use Taurus for an active pest problem since it has the delayed kill and transfer effect most beneficial in those scenarios. If you are doing general insect prevention, an insecticide that kills faster and allows for more uses per year and more usage areas in and around the home would be a better choice. There are many options for this, such as Temprid FX, which will still provide some transfer effect for colony pests like ants and roaches, but will provide a faster kill on other insects in the area and create more of a preventative barrier.
In order to apply Taurus SC correctly for a termite treatment, you will need to trench 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep along the foundation to apply the product. This insures that you have a continuous barrier without gaps and that the product is deep enough in the soil to effective. Attempting to drill holes in the soil is not a sufficient application. We have more details in our online Subterranean Termite Prevention Guide here.
For pre slab construction treatment using Taurus SC Termiticide, it is recommended to pre treat the soil prior to pouring concrete or footings in additon to doing a trench method treatment for termites. This is because you will never have the opportunity again to treat underneath slabs. For pre slab construction treatments including basements, patios, garages, porches and garage slabs, mix 0.8 fl oz of Taurus SC per gallon of water and for every 10 sq ft, pour 1 gallon of mixed solution.
After the footings have been poured and all grade levels have been placed next to the block wall foundation, you will still need to dig the standard 6 inch x 6 inch trench directly against the foundation and pour 4 gallons of mixed solution every 10 linear feet. For homes where the foundation is at a depth greater than 4 ft, you would need do what’s called rodding to get the 4 gallons of solution down to the footing. Rodding is where you will use piece of rebar long enough that when driven down into the soil will reach just above the footing and for every 10-12 inches in the 6 in x 6 in trench, drive the rebar down into the soil just deep enough to reach the top of the footing. Pour the 4 galllons of mixed solution every 10 linear feet along the trench and allow the mixed solution to effectively reach down into the soil and provide the barrier protection.
Please view the product label for more information.
Taurus SC Termiticide is a slow acting product that allows termites to come into contact with it and get it back to the colony to kill the queen. This is usually the best method to control termites, the slower kill method because it can kill the entire colony. If you need to quickly kill the portion of termites you find in the area, you do risk only killing the foraging termites and not killing the nest. For more information on treating termites, please check out our articles on subterranean and drywood termites.
Taurus SC Termiticide would be the best choice for a termite pre slab treatment. For pre slab treatments, apply at 0.8 fl oz per gallon of water per 10 sq ft of the slab footprint. Allow the application to dry for 48 hrs before pouring the concrete slab.
It is recommended that once the slab is poured, to apply Taurus SC Termiticide as a trench treatment directly against the foundation. Please view the product label and our Trench Treatment Guide for more information.
Taurus SC Termiticide would be applied twice a year at the higher rate of 0.8 fl oz. You can only do 4 times a year if doing the lower 0.4 fl oz per gallon. Either rates can be used, the higher rate being the stronger application and longer residual
Taurus SC Termiticide will not stain surfaces such as siding or stucco when mixed per the product label.
No, this product is labeled to be used around the perimeter of a structure. Instead, you may use a product such as Onslaught. Please be sure to review the product label for more information and complete application instructions.
No, Taurus SC cannot be used in the middle of a field. Leaf Cutter ants are one of the hardest ant species to control. The colonies are large and the ants make their own food so poison baits only have limited effects on this species of ants. According to several university websites, Maxforce Complete Granules containing hydramethlynon are some what effective, though they will usually eliminate only about 30% of a large colony in one treatment and will need to be reapplied several times. DeltaGard granules is one of the only products actually labeled for leaf cutter ants. The product label recommends treating the mound directly and lightly watering the granules in. Again, it may take several treatments to get the desired results. We also recommend contacting your local cooperative extension office to see if they have any recommendations for products that have worked for other people in your region.
If you have already done a soil treatment using Taurus SC Termiticide, and you don't see any active issues on the wood, then you do not have to treat that wood. If you wanted to treat raw wood that is in a crawl space, attic, etc., then you could use Bora-care to treat that wood. Bora-Care is absorbed into the wood and stays there for the life of the wood. It protects from termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood decay fungus.
As long as the product was applied as directed on the product label, then the treated area would be safe when completely dry and it would be okay to resume normal activity. It is important to not let your dogs in the treated areas while the product is still wet. Once dry, it should be fine.
Taurus SC Termiticide is not labeled to target weevils. We do carry a product called Talstar P that is labeled for some species of weevils as directed to non-edible plants and trees (treat trunks, stems and twigs in addition to plant foliage). We recommend consulting with your extension office for more details on the species for additional treatment methods.
Yes, in order to have a complete preventative barrier, trenching is necessary and so is treating the backfill with your solution of Taurus SC. If you do not treat the trenched area, you risk leaving gaps that are not treated where termites could pass through and not be affected by the chemical. Please review our Subterranean Termite Treatment Guide for further tips and information that may fit your needs.
Taurus SC if only used as a surface spray around the perimeter of the home should only last about 2 months, however if used as a termite soil treatment the product will last for up to 10 years to protect the home. The manufacturer recommends not growing anything within 1 foot of where the product was used, and if the product was used as a spray only, you would need to wait 1 year from the last application before growing edibles within the soil where it was applied.
