Termite Baiting Efficacy
Effective termite baiting strategies have four components: biology, chemistry, mechanics, and environment. The dynamics of social organization within termite colonies is the behavior on which termite baiting systems are based on. These systems allow foraging and feeding termites to occupy a termite bait station and feed on or be covered by a toxicant. The toxicant is then transported back to the colony where it will be transferred either in food or by contact to other members of the colony.
Bait chemistries differ in mode of action, but can be divided into two main groups: insect growth regulators (IGRs) and stomach poisons. The insect growth regulators act by inhibiting the synthesis of chitin, which composes the insect’s body. These slow-acting active ingredients include diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, and noviflumuron. The quicker-acting stomach poisons include hydramethylnon and sulfluramid, which both affect ATP, the energy store of the cell, but in different manners. Stomach poisons may not transfer quite as well to other colony occupants than the IGRs.
The mechanics of bait stations are also changing. Manufacturers are now designing the bait stations to provide a maximum of wood-to-soil contact. Dual stage monitors are also being used to decrease termite disturbance during monitoring and lessen the abandonment of stations by termites due to disturbance.
Finally, the environment impacts termite behavior. As it gets hot, termites burrow deeper. They also choose paths of least resistance (loose soil). Stations may not be visited as much during the hot months since they are placed near the surface. Alternatively, when soil temperature drops below an average of 50°F, termite activity generally will not be seen in in-ground stations, nor where soil conditions are waterlogged. (PCT Magazine, January 2004).
