Termite bait stations are small tubular plastic devices implanted into the soil in your yard to treat termite infestations. If you’re like most homeowners, however, you may be wondering, “Do termite bait stations work?” The answer is that when properly installed and monitored, baits can be a very effective means of controlling termites on your property.

How a Termite Bait Station Works

Typically, termite bait stations will be installed to form a perimeter around your home, about 3 to 4 feet from your home’s foundation. One bait station will be placed every 10 to 15 feet in narrow holes drilled by a specialized tool. Once installed, bait stations will be filled with non-toxic termite food until the presence of termites is confirmed. Then, the non-toxic food will be replaced by a toxic termite bait. Unlike standard termite barriers, which apply a liquid termiticide directly into the soil to kill termites that pass through it, termite baits allow for the toxic bait to be carried back to the nest and shared with other insects in the colony.

What Is Termite Bait?

The bait placed in each station may consist of paper, cardboard, or other cellulose-containing materials which are infused with a slow-acting termiticide. These baits must be slow acting in order to allow individual termites the time it takes to transfer the toxin to other insects in the colony. A termite that has eaten the bait will act normally for days after consumption, giving it plenty of time to take the toxin back to the nest to infect other insects in the colony.

Safe and Effective Termite Solution

Baiting is popular among Arizona homeowners because it has been proven to be a safe and effective termite solution. Termite bait stations can be used to treat drywood and subterranean termites, and the bait, while toxic to termites, is not harmful to humans, pets or plants. For more information about termite bait stations or to learn more about the many termite solutions available at ACTION Termite Control, call (877) 556-4131 now.