Baiting Vs Liquid for Termites: Which Is Better ?

Termites are 120 million years older, let’s say to the time of the dinosaurs. They are famous for their name “Silent Destroyer” because of the ability to chew through wood. Termites never stop. They feast 24/7.

Termites can be dangerous to an extent that they cause a damage more than Floods, Fires and Tornadoes. Every year an estimated amount $5 Billion damage is done in property damages and repair costs.

According to Orkin Pest Control, it is estimated that 600,000 homes are damaged in the U.S each year. Most importantly, damages to property aren’t covered by homeowners’ insurance policies.

In this article, we will be discussing about Termites and their ability to destroy properties as well as their prevention with the help of either Baiting or Liquid.

We will look into both techniques of prevention and will help you decide which one is the best to go for.

600 000

Number of Homes Damaged by Termite Each Year in US alone.

Applying Liquid Termiticides

Liquid termite method is usually used for getting faster results. This treatment is designed to prevent termites from entering the structure. If you have large infestation, you might consider using termite foam.

It relies on the application of a chemical barrier around and under the structure designed to block all routes of termites to enter the upper soil. If any termites attempting to penetrate to the treated soil will be killed or repelled.

Best Liquid Termiticide

Taurus SC is our favorite product for termite control. It is a non-repellent termiticide with unique properties designed to eliminate the termites almost immediately.

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It is in fact kills the whole termite colony and provides total peace of mind. It is Odourless and last for 5 years as reported by several users.

Read our Full Review of the product here.

Be-aware! Termites can develop resistance to insecticides.

All insects including Termites family can develop the ability to resist insecticides. There are many factors involve in developing this resistance. In a population of insects, there can be a few of them carrying the genes for resistance. These insects don’t die when the chemical is exposed tot hem and hence stay and reproduce.

Michigan University Professor discussed in his book Fruit Crop ecology management discussed how pest can develop resistance to pesticides. For short summary, read article in Michigan University Website on How Pesticide Resistance Develops.

Applying liquid termiticides can vary depending upon the size of the area of house.

It is likely that hundreds of gallons of liquid pesticides might be required if you’re willing to go for applying liquid method of preventing termites.

For example, a one-story building on a 1200 sq.ft. of the area can require 112 gallons or 423 litres of diluted termiticide.

How To Apply It To The Property?

Apply at the diluted rate, it is poured either in a watering can or bucket (5 Gallon) and is almost easy when compared to sprayers.

Starting with removing dirt and then with pouring 4 gallons per 10 linear feet. After the trench is filled with 4 gallons of the finished mix, cover the trench back with the dirt which was removed. Repeat the process for next 10 linear feet. Soil at the bottom of the trench can be loosened a bit with an iron bar to allow further penetration. Sounds too boring?

Watch the video to see how it works in action:

Termite inspections are crucial for the safety of your home. It is necessary as a single termite colony can causes several thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the structures.

It is recommended to get an inspection in every 1 to 2 years or if you see a problem like Warping on your floors or sawdust near your walls.

Let’s Talk About The Cost

Termite treatment cost using liquid termiticide can be in the following price ranges:

• $5 per Linear Ft. For Slab Foundation
• $7 per Linear Ft. For Basement
• $6 per Linear Ft. For Crawlspace

Apart from the given costs above, there will charges for labor, liquid termiticides depending upon your house size.

The labor cost includes drilling and injecting of the termiticides into the soil. To know the exact cost of infestation, you can quote prices by calling the infestation services for termites in your nearby locations.

Baiting

Termite prevention technique called Baiting consists of cardboard, paper or other termite food mixed with substance, poisonous to termites.

This baits are a different concept. In this approach, small amounts of material known as toxicant knocks out termites in and around the structure.

Termite baiting is a simple process and can be used to detect termites where they are not a problem yet.

How Baiting Works ?

Baiting is a long-term prevention of termites. However, the impact of termite bait is not immediate. From its design, the pesticides or insecticides used in the baiting system are slow acting so that the bait can spread by the foraging worker termites to other termites of the colony that do not collect their own food.

This includes the King & Queen and the soldier termites as well as those who maintain nest and tend new offspring. As workers are killed, fewer termites are available to collect the food to feed the colony. Eventually, the King & Queen and the soldiers starve to death.

The way to successful termite baiting program is proper maintenance and monitoring of the stations.

You should understand the inspection schedule followed by the company.

Also that you should be receiving regular updates after every inspection. It usually occurs monthly or quarterly.

Please watch the video to learn more about baiting and how it works..

Advantages of Baiting:

• Baiting is the environment friendly way to prevent termites as they use pesticides in limited amount in targeted locations which makes it eco-friendly method of termite treatment.
• It is much easier to install when compared to applying liquid soil treatment around a home.
• No drilling or digging.
• No risk of potential exposure of chemicals.
• Continues protection for whole colonies.

An expert would be able to tell you about adding and moving of bait stations depending on the level of activity at the stations.

Disadvantages of Baiting:

• The initial cost of baiting system maybe higher than liquid treatment. To be honest, whether it is baiting or liquids, they are labor intensive and based largely on the dimensions of the house.
• The termites should find the stations before they can be controlled by termite baits.
• The cost of contracts as it must be monitored more than 3 times a year.
• Longer time required to work.

Cost of Baiting

Termite baiting can cost you a whopping $2500 – $3500 depending on the home being either small or large.

Again, the servicing might cost additional $800-$900 to maintain the baits. It is 3x times the cost of a liquid termite treatment.

Inspection

It totally depends on the area occupied by the house. The number of stations required for baiting and so on. It might take few hours to a day on an average.

Manufacturers of baiting stations recommended that you should monitor them every 3 months, but you are allowed to check them every 6 months. You should be doing it to prevent costly termite damage.

Tools Required for Baiting

• Above-Ground Baiting Stations (AGB)
• Poison Termite Baits
• Mante Information System (MIS) – Used for monitoring bait stations.

1. Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection & Killing Stakes

The product is made up with Dow technology and it Kills foraging termites. It includes pop-up termite indicators with easy-to-find locator shields.

It can only reduce the risk of termite damage. So if you already have some serious infestation. contact professional exterminator.

2. Advance Termite Bait Stations

The ultra low disturbance bait system design features a dual stage interior. It is easy to use. Please Watch below video to learn how it works.

Liquid or Baiting: Which one is best ?

It’s always better to go for liquid treatment for termites. The liquid treatment creates an invisible barrier between structure and ground. It is also effective immediately.

However, on the other hand we have baiting which requires station to be placed around the house and is very possible for termites to damage the property without moving to the bait stations. Also, it requires periodic maintenance and reports up to 4 times a year.

Therefore, the best industrial practice is to stay with Liquid treatment for termites with Termidor. We recommend using it according to our opinion as it is undetectable for termites and termites forage even where there is the liquid hence resulting in the elimination of termites.

It is clearly hard for anyone to tell which is better option for you. Even every industry experts tell you each treatments pros and cons and let you make more educated decision between the two. One of the simple pros and cons list provided by EssentialPest let you decide between two by clearly stating each treatments pros and cons.

In our opinion, the liquid treatment seems more stable and proper to us. Hence, we suggest Liquid Treatment for Termites.

Any ideas? Please post a comment!