Termite bait stations provide an effective and convenient way of getting rid of termites from homes.
- You won’t have to dig into your garden or house foundations with a bait station to eliminate termites.
- Since the baiting system operates below the ground surface, your family and pets would be exposed to toxic chemicals.
This guide features the best termite bait stations in the market, a buyer’s guide, and tips for making the best use of the bait stations. Check these bait stations.
[amazon bestseller=”Best Termite Bait Stations” items=”2″ template=”table”]1. #1 Top Pick: Advance Termite Detection Baiting Station
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Your termite extermination efforts will become easier and effective with this termite detection and extermination bait station.
This bait station entails an inspection cartridge, a monitoring base, a piece of wood (attractant), and a poison cartridge.
In case termite activity is detected, the inspection cartridge is removed, and a cartridge containing termite bait and poison is inserted.
This ensures that you only put poison baits in places where there are termites. Thus, you won’t contaminate your entire compound with poison.
Its two-stage internal design allows you to remove the inspection cartridge without disturbing the monitoring base and the bait.
That means termites will remain in the monitoring base and continue feeding on the bait even after removing the inspection cartridge.
The 10 piece bait stations contained in this package will be ideal for a small home set up.
If you’re dealing with a large home or severe termite infestation, you might be required to buy more than one package.
It’s easy to install and requires inspection after every month. When installed, it assumes a low profile on the ground, minimizing interference by kids, pets, or mowers.
It comes with a secure lid to prevent accidental opening by kids or pets.
The Good:
- Proven effectiveness
- Easy and quick installation procedure
- Maintains a low profile on the ground
- Free from active ingredients or chemicals
The Bad:
- Quite pricey
- Termite poison not included
2. #2 Pick: Advance-Termite Bait-Station Spider Access Tool
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3. #3 Pick: Advance-Termite Bait-Station Monitoring Wood Insert
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4. Spectracide Terminate Bait Station
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Spectracide HG-96115 gives you a DIY solution to your termite menace.
- It comes in the form of stakes pressed into the ground to detect, lure, and kill termites.
- It’s an effective bait station that works on all termites species.
Since it doesn’t use any active ingredients, it won’t harm your grass, plants, or soil.
Unlike its competitors, these stakes are thin enough to allow easy installation into the ground. Each pack of the bait comes with an auger for digging into the ground for easy installation.
When pushed into the ground, the locator shield remains above the ground to enable easy location and monitoring.
And with the dow technology, the bait station will pop up, indicating termites in the soil.
This pack of 15 stakes will be ideal for a small to medium-sized home. For effective results, it’s advisable to place the stakes at intervals about 10 feet or less.
The distance from your house foundation should be between 2 and 3 feet. The instruction manual will give go more information about its installation and safety precautions.
The only limitation with this termite bait is the tendency to pop up prematurely when there’s a lot of moisture in the soil. This might give the wrong signals about the presence of termites.
The Good:
- Effective on all termite species
- Thin stakes allow easy penetration into the ground.
- Absence of active ingredients
- Gives you a termite activity alert
The Bad:
- May give false signal due to ground moisture
3. Hex Pro Termite Detection and Extermination Bait Station
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This bait station will work against all termite species, including the stubborn subterranean termites.
Its effectiveness emanates from the ability of the active ingredient (hexaflumuron) to inhibit the molting process. Without molting, termites stop growing and will eventually die.
Hex Pro Termite control mechanism entails three steps. First, there’s a monitoring system for indicating termite activity in a certain area.
In case termites are detected, the wood cartridge used for monitoring is replaced with shatter bait to kill the present termites. The shatter bait is bought separately.
If there’s no more termite activity, the wood cartridge is placed back to continue the monitoring process.
To attain more accurate results, it’s advisable to place these bait stations at intervals of about 8 to 10 feet. The distance from building foundations should not exceed 4 feet.
Regular inspection is also necessary for full termite control. The wood cartridge should also be checked regularly and replaced whenever it has been consumed.
As a precaution, avoid placing the termite bait station below the roof drip-line as this may cause the wood cartridge to rot.
The Good:
- Provides an effective three-step termite control mechanism
- Effective on all types of termites including the subterranean termites
- Easy installation and management
The Bad:
- Wooden cartridges are susceptible to fungal degeneration
How to Choose the Best Termite Bait Station
When searching for the best termite bait station, there’re certain factors that you should consider in order to get the best value for your money. These include:
Area to Cover
The area to be covered determines the number of bait stations required for effective termite control.
- All the different bait station brands come with directions for use including the distance between each station.
- The distance between each bait station depends on its effectiveness and the extent of the infestation.
So, once you have settled on a brand, consider the area to be covered so that you can buy adequate bait stations.
Extent of Infestation
The level of termite infestation determines whether bait stations are enough to control the termites, or you need to combine with other remedies.
- If the infestation has already gone out of hand, you’ll have to use bait stations together with other effective products such as liquid insecticides.
- The extent of infestation also determines the number of bait stations needed to achieve better termite control.
If you’re dealing with a large infestation, you’ll have to place your baits closer to one another for more effectiveness. Thus, you’ll require more baits than when you have a small infestation.
Intended Purpose
Most termite bait stations will give an option to detect or detect and exterminate termites.
- The former only detect the presence of termites, but it gives you the freedom to use any other termite poison to kill them.
The latter gives you convenience because you replace the detection cartridge with the bait cartridge once termite activity is detected.
Safety
Another factor to consider is the type of ingredient utilized in the bait cartridge of your bait station.
- Some of the ingredients contained in some products may be toxic to the soil or vegetation.
- To have a piece of mind, get a product that does not harm your property.
Also, ensure that the bait station and its ingredients do not pose any threat to your kids or curious pets.
Type of Termites
Not all bait stations will work effectively on all termite species. Therefore, it’s advisable to know the type of termites you have to get the most effective bait station. You can get a professional pest exterminator to help in identification.
Tips for Installing Termite Bait Stations
If this is your first encounter with a termite bait station, you might need some guidance on how to get the best results from your product.
- Luckily, most of the products come with instruction manuals/booklets for easy installation.
- These are general tips that apply to most types of termite bait stations. They include:
Mapping Out the Affected Area
The installation of bait stations needs to be done accurately to cover the exact areas that have been infested. Mapping out the exact areas to be treated enhances your accuracy and estimates the number of stations to be used.
Start your mapping at least 3 to 4 feet from the foundations of buildings or fences.
- The distance between each bait station should be between 8 and 12 feet depending on the brand and the infestation extent.
- For more accurate mapping, you can sketch the affected areas showing the bait station locations.
Make sure the locations do not coincide with the roof drip lines. This will prevent water from getting into the bait station, affecting results, or damage the cartridges.
Drilling Holes
Bait stations come in different sizes. Holes should be dug to fit the size and design of the bait station.
Some products come with an auger to facilitate easy digging. If your chosen brand does not have a digging tool, you can buy one separately or use your garden shovel.
Make your holes deeper than the bait station’s length to prevent damage to the cartridges by groundwater.
Inserting the Bait Station
Once the holes are ready, insert the bait stations and compact them with soil to ensure they are firm.
Also, ensure that the top part is level with the ground to avoid interference by your pets or lawnmower.
Monitoring
Bait stations require regular monitoring to maintain their performance to an optimal level.
Monitoring for termite activity should be done at least once after every 30 days.
If termites are detected, the monitoring cartridge should be replaced with the cartridge containing the poison.
Monitoring also entails checking the soil moisture content to ensure your bait cartridge is not damaged. Replace bait cartridges in case of damage or when it has been completely eaten out.
Conclusion
Termite control using liquid insecticides requires a lot of digging, which may cause considerable property damage.
- However, bait stations are easy to install and only require holes for installation. Thus, you don’t risk destroying your property.
- When installed correctly, bait stations prove to be very effective methods of eliminating termites.
Get yourself one of these bait stations to help you eradicate termites from your home.