What to Expect with Termite Monitoring and Baiting
Termite monitoring and baiting systems are used as part of an ongoing approach to termite management. Stations are strategically positioned around a property and regularly inspected and serviced to monitor for termite activity and, depending on the system selected, provide termite bait.
Surekill uses Exterra and Sentricon AlwaysActive termite management systems. Different options are available, including monitoring-first systems where termite bait is introduced after termite activity is detected and systems where termite bait is present from installation.
This page explains what to expect when having a termite monitoring and baiting system assessed, selected, installed and professionally serviced, and the role the system plays in an ongoing termite management plan.
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Assessment, Quote and Termite Management Plan
Property Assessment
Your Surekill technician will assess the property to determine whether a termite monitoring and baiting system is suitable and which system may be appropriate. The assessment considers the construction of the property, surrounding soil and landscaping, access around the building, previous termite activity or treatments, existing termite management systems and conditions that may increase termite risk.
Discussing Your Termite Management Needs
Your technician will discuss any known termite history, previous inspections or treatments and your preferences for ongoing termite management.
Surekill can explain the different monitoring and baiting systems available, including options where termite bait is present in the stations from installation and monitoring-first systems where bait is introduced if termite activity is detected.
This allows the system selected to take into account both the requirements of the property and your preferred approach to termite management.
Planning the Station Locations
Monitoring and baiting stations are strategically positioned in the ground around the property at appropriate intervals to create an interception and monitoring zone.
Station location and spacing are important to the performance of the system. Your technician will assess the building perimeter, soil areas, gardens, paths and other property features when planning where stations can be installed and effectively serviced.
Your Termite Management Plan
A monitoring and baiting system forms part of an ongoing termite management plan rather than a one-off treatment.
Your technician will explain how the selected system operates, the proposed station locations, the inspection and servicing schedule and the ongoing requirements for the property. The plan may also include comprehensive termite inspections and recommendations for managing conditions around the property that may increase termite risk.
Quote for Installation and Ongoing Servicing
Surekill will provide a quote for the installation of the recommended monitoring and baiting system and explain the ongoing inspection and servicing requirements.
The quote will identify the system proposed, installation requirements and the ongoing monitoring or servicing arrangements.
Insurance, Licensing and Australian Standards
Surekill Pest Control is fully insured, and our pest management technicians are appropriately licensed and carry out termite management work in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and relevant Australian Standards.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card.
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How Termite Monitoring and Baiting Works
Termite Foraging Behaviour
Subterranean termites live in colonies and forage through the soil in search of suitable food sources. Their underground foraging activity can extend considerable distances from the colony as workers search for cellulose materials that can provide food for the colony.
Termite monitoring and baiting systems use this natural foraging behaviour by providing strategically positioned stations around the property where foraging termites may be intercepted.
Termite Interception and Monitoring
Stations are positioned at appropriate intervals around the property to increase the opportunity for foraging termites to encounter them.
Depending on the system selected, stations may contain monitoring and interception materials designed to encourage termites to enter and feed within the station, or they may contain termite bait from the time of installation.
The stations are inspected at scheduled intervals so termite activity can be identified and the system can be serviced as required.
The Termite Baiting Process
When termites feed on termite bait, they consume a slow-acting active ingredient designed to interfere with their normal growth and development.
The slow action is important. Rather than immediately killing termites at the station, it allows worker termites to continue feeding and interacting with other members of the colony.
Termites are social insects and workers share food and interact closely with other colony members. Through continued feeding and these normal colony behaviours, the effects of the bait can progressively spread through the termite colony.
Why Termites Should Not Be Disturbed
If termites are found feeding within a station, unnecessary disturbance should be avoided.
Termites can respond to disturbance by repairing damaged workings, changing their foraging behaviour or abandoning a feeding location. The monitoring and baiting system allows your technician to inspect and service termite activity while minimising unnecessary disturbance.
Ongoing Monitoring Is Important
Termite monitoring and baiting is not a one-off treatment. The stations need to remain accessible and be professionally inspected and serviced at the required intervals.
During servicing, your technician checks for termite activity, assesses feeding within the stations and maintains or replenishes monitoring materials or termite bait according to the property's long-term termite management plan.
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Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System
Surekill offers both the traditional Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System and the newer Exterra Ever-Ready system. Your technician can explain the differences between the two approaches and help determine which is most appropriate for your property and termite management preferences.
How the Exterra System Works
Exterra in-ground stations are strategically positioned around the property at appropriate intervals to create a Termite Interception Zone.
The stations use FOCUS Termite Attractant together with materials designed to encourage foraging termites to enter and feed within the stations. The positioning, spacing and ongoing servicing of the stations are important parts of the system.
Once termites are feeding within an Exterra station, they can be detected and managed with minimal disturbance.
Traditional Exterra — Monitoring First
With the traditional Exterra system, the in-ground stations initially contain monitoring and interception material rather than termite bait.
The stations are regularly inspected for termite activity. When termites are intercepted and found feeding within a station, REQUIEM termite bait can be introduced while minimising disturbance to the termites.
This monitoring-first approach may suit customers who prefer termite bait not to be present in the stations from the time of installation.
Exterra Ever-Ready — Bait From Installation
Exterra Ever-Ready provides a different approach. REQUIEM termite bait is placed within the in-ground stations from installation, so bait is already available if foraging termites enter and begin feeding within a station.
The stations are then regularly inspected and the bait maintained or replenished as required.
This may suit customers who prefer a system where termite bait is present and ready for termite feeding from the time the system is installed.
REQUIEM Termite Bait
REQUIEM is a cellulose-based termite bait containing chlorfluazuron, an insect growth regulator.
It is designed to act slowly, allowing worker termites feeding within the station to continue interacting with other termites before the effects of the bait develop. This allows the treatment to progressively affect termites within the colony.
Ongoing Monitoring and Servicing
Both Exterra systems require ongoing professional monitoring and servicing.
Surekill generally services the in-ground stations quarterly. During each service, your technician checks the stations for termite activity and feeding and maintains the monitoring materials or termite bait according to the Exterra system installed.
Where active termite feeding is detected, additional inspections or servicing may be recommended depending on the termite activity and site conditions.
Choosing Between the Two Exterra Options
Both Exterra options use strategically positioned stations as part of an ongoing termite management system. The main difference is whether the stations begin with monitoring and interception material or contain REQUIEM termite bait from installation.
Your Surekill technician will discuss the available options with you and recommend an approach based on the property, termite risk, any existing termite activity and your preferences for ongoing termite management.
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Sentricon AlwaysActive Termite Management System
Sentricon AlwaysActive is a termite baiting and management system where termite bait is present in the in-ground stations from the time the system is installed.
Unlike a monitoring-first system where bait is introduced after termites are detected, Sentricon AlwaysActive provides a continuous bait source within the stations for foraging termites to encounter.
How Sentricon AlwaysActive Works
Sentricon AlwaysActive in-ground stations are strategically positioned around the property to intercept the natural foraging activity of subterranean termites.
Each station contains a Sentricon IG Termiticide Rod. If foraging termites encounter a station, they can begin feeding on the rod without waiting for bait to be added to the station.
The bait is designed to act slowly by interfering with the termites' ability to moult. This allows worker termites to continue feeding and interacting with other members of the colony before the effects of the bait develop.
Bait Available From Installation
One of the main differences with Sentricon AlwaysActive is that the termite bait remains available within the stations from the time they are installed.
This means the system does not rely on termites first being detected in monitoring material before termite bait is introduced.
The in-ground stations and termiticide rods remain in place as part of the property's ongoing termite management system.
Above-Ground Stations for Active Termites
Where active termites are already present, Sentricon Above-Ground Stations may also be used in suitable locations.
These stations can be positioned directly where termites are actively feeding, allowing termite bait to be introduced while minimising unnecessary disturbance to the termite activity.
Above-ground stations may also be suitable in some locations where an in-ground station cannot be installed.
Ongoing Monitoring and Servicing
Sentricon AlwaysActive is an ongoing termite management system and requires regular professional inspection and servicing.
Surekill generally services the in-ground stations quarterly. During each service, your technician checks the stations for termite activity and feeding, assesses the condition of the termiticide rods and replaces bait when required.
Where active termite feeding is detected, additional inspections or servicing may be recommended depending on the termite activity and site conditions.
Part of Your Termite Management Plan
Sentricon AlwaysActive can be used for existing buildings and as part of preventative or curative termite management.
Your Surekill technician will determine whether Sentricon AlwaysActive is appropriate for the property and explain how the system will form part of your ongoing termite management plan.
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Installing a Termite Monitoring and Baiting System
Preparing for Installation
Before installation, ensure the areas around the building where stations are to be installed are accessible. Your technician will advise if stored items, garden materials or other obstructions need to be moved.
Please also advise Surekill of any known underground services, irrigation systems, drainage, water pipes or other features that may affect where stations can safely be installed.
Positioning the Stations
Your Surekill technician will determine suitable locations for the monitoring and baiting stations around the property.
Stations are strategically positioned at appropriate intervals around the building to create an interception and monitoring zone. Their location and spacing form an important part of the termite management system.
Installing the Stations
In-ground stations are installed into the soil around the perimeter of the building and other suitable areas identified during the assessment.
The top of each station remains accessible so your technician can inspect and service the station without disturbing the surrounding area unnecessarily.
Where soil access is limited by concrete, paving or other construction features, your technician will assess the available options and explain how these areas will be managed as part of the overall termite management plan.
Recording Station Locations
The locations of the installed stations are recorded so they can be located and inspected during future servicing.
It is important that stations remain accessible and are not covered, removed or disturbed by landscaping, paving, garden alterations or other work around the property.
After Installation
Once installation is complete, your technician will explain the system installed, how it operates and the inspection and servicing schedule.
The stations then become part of the property's ongoing termite management program and need to remain in place and be professionally inspected and serviced at the recommended intervals.
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Ongoing Termite Risk Management
Regular Termite Inspections
A termite monitoring and baiting system forms part of an ongoing termite management plan, but station servicing does not replace a comprehensive termite inspection of the property.
Regular termite inspections are important for assessing the building and surrounding areas for evidence of termite activity, conditions that may increase termite risk and changes that could affect the existing termite management system.
Surekill recommends a comprehensive termite inspection at least annually, or more frequently where recommended due to the property, termite history or level of termite risk.
Keep Stations Accessible
Monitoring and baiting stations need to remain accessible so they can be inspected and serviced.
Avoid covering stations with soil, mulch, garden beds, paving or other materials. If you are unsure where stations are located or are planning work around them, contact Surekill before making changes where possible.
Managing Conditions That Increase Termite Risk
Conditions around a property can change over time and may increase the risk of termite activity.
Moisture problems, leaking plumbing, poor drainage, timber stored against or beneath the building and areas that become difficult to inspect should be addressed where possible as part of ongoing termite risk management.
Changes Around the Property
Renovations, extensions, plumbing work, excavation, new paving, landscaping, garden beds and changes to ground levels may interfere with monitoring stations or alter termite risk around the property.
Where possible, contact Surekill before carrying out work that may affect the termite monitoring and baiting system. Your technician can advise whether stations need to be relocated, replaced or additional termite management measures considered.
Reviewing Your Termite Management Plan
Termite risk can change as the property, surrounding environment and building conditions change. Your termite management plan should therefore be reviewed over time rather than regarded as a set-and-forget solution.
Ongoing station servicing, regular comprehensive termite inspections and management of conditions around the property work together to help manage the long-term risk of termite activity.
