Stroud, Gloucester, Dungog, Bulahdelah and surrounds
What can you expect during a termite treatment?
Typically, there are two treatment pathways. The different modes of treatment are largely determined by the species of termite present - whether a less aggressive species eg. Nasutitermes or a more aggressive species eg. Coptotermes. The more aggressive species have greater potential to cause severe & extensive damage.
Which treatment is appropriate?
Chemical application
Chemical application
Chemical application
Less aggressive species can be treated with a direct chemical application, over two visits, and can then be confirmed to be eliminated.
A chemical application is often performed for termites such as Nasutitermes.
However this approach is not effective on more aggressive species. It would simply eliminate some of the termites in the colony, but the remainder that are left would be able to rebuild and continue to cause severe damage to your home.
This is why it is not an appropriate method for more aggressive species types such as Coptotermes or Schedorhinotermes.
Baiting program
Chemical application
Chemical application
For species such as Coptotermes or Schedorhinotermes, that are more aggressive and have greater potential to cause severe and extensive damage to your home, the most effective way to eliminate them is via a baiting program.
This involves the installation of one or more above ground baiting stations at strategic locations determined by our technician, and repeat visits every 3-4 weeks until colony eradication has been achieved.
This usually takes several months, but can be longer where termites have been disturbed or during cooler periods. The cost reflects the substantial time and bait required over this period. Whilst it is more costly than the former (chemical application approach), it leaves no doubt that the colony have been entirely eliminated.
What should I expect during my baiting program?
Baiting stations
At least one, sometimes more than one, above ground bait stations will be installed by our technician. These small grey boxes (as pictured left and above on the right) will be secured and they are filled with termite bait.
Regular Visits
Every 3-4 weeks (as determined by technician's findings), the technician will return to check the station, check on the termites' progress, replenish the bait as needed and perform any other tasks necessary to maintain the termites' feeding on the bait.
Duration of treatment
The program takes anywhere from a couple of months to six months and up to a year in some complicated situations.
During Summer, when termites are most active and consume the bait quickly, and where they have not been disturbed, the program could be complete in a matter of a few short months.
During Winter however, termites' activity slows significantly as does their feeding, and so it takes longer to establish initial feeding, and longer for the termites to consume and distribute significant quantities of bait throughout the colony in amounts sufficient to eliminate the colony, so the program takes longer overall.
If termites are disturbed at any point during the program, it will usually add at least a few additional months.
Your role
Your role is not to disturb the termites. Really, that is it.
Termites are highly sensitive to smells, movement, and human activity. The success of the baiting program depends on them feeling undisturbed and secure enough to begin feeding. If disturbed, the colony may panic, retreat, and reappear in new areas, making elimination significantly harder and slower. If a colony is in distress, they likely won’t establish feeding on the baits.
To ensure the best outcomes
Please avoid doing the following, which is almost guaranteed to cause disturbance
- Do not touch, move, or reposition any bait stations – even if you put them back afterward, the damage is already done - the termites have likely already released a distress pheromone and they will not reestablish feeding at this location
- Do not undertake any repair work (unless expressly approved by your technician)
- Do not spray any chemicals near termite activity
- Do not move or handle any timber around where the termites have been identified
- Do not perform any investigation yourself or pull apart affected areas (e.g. bark, timber, gyprock)
- Do not otherwise disturb, squish, step on, swat away or remove any termites you see
- Do not introduce more timber (such as bringing in new timber ready for repairs) – this timber will attract the termites, and they may start to eat your new timber rather than the bait
This list isn’t exhaustive, but the key takeaway is to avoid any interaction with the termites or the affected areas. The more undisturbed the environment, the faster the termites will begin feeding—and the faster we can eliminate them from your property.
If the baiting process is disrupted, it may delay colony elimination. The longer it takes to eliminate the termites, the greater the risk of structural damage occurring in the interim.
Be aware: you will still see termites
Finally, please be aware that you will continue to see termites during the baiting program. You may spot them in areas such as your firewood pile, nearby trees, or around previously identified locations.
This is not a cause for concern; the baiting process will take time, and until the colony is fully eliminated, termite activity will likely still be visible.
If you notice any activity, feel free to contact us—our technician can check at their next visit to confirm that it is the same colony, for your peace of mind.
You should avoid bringing in any new timbers, such as those ready to commence repairs once the termites are eliminated; until you have confirmation that elimination has been achieved, or you risk termites damaging your brand new timber too.
What are the next steps?
Your technician will advise you when termite colony elimination has been achieved
But before you pull out the champagne, it's important to understand that elimination of the current colony of termites does not mean that you have any protection from future termites.
A house or property that has had termites in the past is at much higher risk of having them again in future, when compared to a house that has never had a termite infestation.
We highly recommend consideration of a termite management system such as a Sentricon Always Active In Ground Termite Monitoring and Baiting System which would help prevent termite infestation and associated damage. We would be happy to provide you with a free measure and quote. For more information, click here
