Did you know that termites do almost $2 billion in often utterly devastating damage to Australian homes each and every year? Not just that, one of the main reasons for adverse building inspections is minor or even repaired termite damage – in a country in which over a third of every home will get an infestation of some sort or another. And if that’s not terrifying enough, consider that your chance of being located within a stone’s throw of an actual termite colony is a staggering 80 percent. So have you booked in your regular professional termite inspection yet?
While you’re doing that, we’re going to take a closer look at the world of termite bait stations.
What else will get rid of termites?
But first things first: Bait stations are not the only way to step up termite prevention in Sydney homes. We’re talking about simple things like:
- Visual inspection
- Ventilation and sealing checks
- Removing woodpiles
- Tree and shrub trimming
- Treated wood for garden projects
However, to really protect your home termite bait stations is the ‘next level’ to prevent termite damage and get rid of termites, colony and all.
What’s so great about termite bait stations?
If termites have already made it into your yard, you definitely don’t want them to continue their march towards your valuable home. Better still, you want to destroy the nest and colony completely. Bait stations are among the best early prevention method for stopping termite damage before it happens.
The concept of termite bait stations itself is very simple: it’s just a specially-designed container that is inserted into the ground that entices the destructive critters to hop aboard with a bait – which then kills them. Small panels of Tasmanian oak (a favourite food for termites) are inserted into the termite bait stations. Once the activity is detected, pest controllers switch the wood for pieces treated with a slow-acting termiticide.
1. Place them near the building
If you’ve already got a confirmed infestation, a professional would advise putting at least one bait station above the ground in an attempt to mitigate the existing activity. Apart from that, you’ll be putting multiple stations – 10 or so – in the soil near your important buildings and structures.
2. Check them often
Once they’re in the ground, bait stations need to be checked often over the next few months to gauge their effectiveness. Eventually, you may spot live termites inside the station, and over time observe the bait disappearing as the critters establish the habit of feeding there and also taking the bait back to the nest.
3. Be patient!
Yes, anti-termite chemical treatments may be quicker, but bait stations can actually be more effective for wiping out the whole colony – if you have the patience to wait a little while before the termites start to drop dead. Once you see plenty of dead termites in the station, you’ll know that enough bait has also been taken back to the nest to wipe out the whole colony – King, Queen, and everything else!
4. Your pets are safe
If you’re worried that your dogs, cats and even little kids are in danger around termite bait stations, don’t be – the active ingredient is non-toxic, kind to the environment, and only harmful to termites.
Need advice on your termite bait stations?
Of course, putting in termite bait stations should never be a substitute for the professional experience and advice only a top Sydney pest control company can provide. Depending on your property and home, they may be combined with other anti-termite measures like chemical termite treatments and physical barriers.
The inspections and professional anti-termite strategies championed by Mr Flikem’s friendly pest control experts are widely regarded as the most thorough, effective and affordable Termite control in Sydney. To find out more or to book your inspection, give us a call or send us a message today!
