What is Termite Baiting

Termite are among the most destructive pests in the country, costing homeowners in the Unites States over $5 billion a year in repairs. It’s no wonder why you would want to exterminate a pest that is eatings its way through your bedroom. There are many forms of termiticide on the market which work as barriers to keep underground termites from entering the home. A termite that l comes into contact with the poison is either killed or leaves the area immediately. An alternative treatment for termites is placing bait with slow acting poison near areas they inhabit. To understand how termite baiting works, you need to know what it is, how it is implemented, and the overall success these baits have in eradicating the insects. If you believe termite baiting is an appropriate form of pest control visit this website to get a free estimate today!



Termite baiting is the process of placing poisonous bait near an area infested with termites. This bait needs to be highly preferred for termites, such as: cardboard, untreated wood, and paper. You will first place these traps with no poison, so the termites leave a trail to the food source for their colony to join the feast. Once you have determined they have found the bait, you will add a slow-acting poison that can be spread to other termites in the colony. If your poison is too strong and kills termites around the bait, then the colony will catch on that it is a dangerous food supply and find a meal elsewhere.

Termites that live above ground are very common in the United States. These termites have wings that allow them to attack any area of your home. They often like to set in somewhere near your attic and invade through your ceiling. To treat these flying termites you should place bait near holes the termites are using to remove their excrement and other locations you know they have infested. Underground termites are a little trickier because you don’t know exactly where the nest lays in the dirt. You will install your bait into the ground using a plastic feeding system with spaces for the termites to enter and exit freely. You will want to place several of these plastic tubes throughout the affected area to ensure that the colony is feeding on the bait from multiple locations. 

These various type of baiting strategies have wildly inconsistent results. A major factor in their success largely depends on whether or not the termites found the bait. As stated above, if the poison is too strong, the termites will die immediately and the other termites will know something isn’t safe about that food supply. Since the results can be somewhat inconsistent, it is recommended that you call a professional if your home has a large infestation that is already causing significant damage. Always keep in mind that spending a few hundred dollars for an exterminator is much better than spending a few thousand dollars on a contractor.


Written by: Quintin Bentley Crevling

Comments