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Do you know what's in your walls? |
A bait is a food, or some substance, used to attract, entice or lure a specific organism to a desired location. Therefore, baiting for subterranean termites is not strictly "baiting", because the termites are not strictly "attracted" to most baits. The deficiency may be baits used and not with the term. However, the principle of baiting techniques is to have a susceptible substance in an aggregation device ("bait station") on which the termites aggregate and continue to feed once they have found the bait station. Bait stations can be placed in-ground and above-ground situations.
Placement of baits in areas conductive to termite activity ("directed placement") enhances the chances of contract with foraging termites. A bait toxicant in timber or a cellulose matrix can be placed in the station ir the colony may be indirectly destroyed by dusting aggregated termites. Some bait toxicants eliminate the colony while others suppress the colony. However, both mthods reduce potential to cause further damage to timbers.
Termite baiting is most beneficial when used as part of an intergrated-pest-managment strategy. Colony elimination or suppression should be followed by hazard reduction and regular inspection. Monitering should continue because only a small amount of toxin is used and does not prevent foraging by other termite colonies that may be present in the foraging range of a timber structure.
