My neighbor has those termite bait stations in her yard. Do they really work better than pesticides?  W. T., Litchfield, NH

First, understand that termite bait stations do contain pesticide, but it’s a pesticide that is of low toxicity to people and pets and it’s delivered in a contained, more user-friendly and environmentally-friendly way.

The bait stations act more like termite monitors. Termites are affected by the pesticide only when they discover and eat the bait or carry it back to the colony. At Colonial Pest, we use the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System. These inground bait stations contain a cellulose material that mimics wood and is impregnated with a toxic bait. These blogs explain how a termite baiting system works:

• Protect Your Home with Termite Bait Stations
• Yes, You Can Control Termites with IPM Methods
• How Do Termite Bait Stations Work?

Answering your question as to whether bait stations work better than traditional termite treatment is like comparing apples to oranges. Traditional treatments that involve injecting pesticide into the soil around a home and bait monitors installed in the ground are two different approaches to termite control. Both approaches work, each has its advantages and disadvantages, but we believe that bait stations are a better choice for most of our customers. These blogs discuss the benefits of using bait stations to control termites around your home:

• Why Choose Termite Baits? – Advice From the Pros
• Termite Bait Stations Protect Landscaping
• Termite Baiting Systems Provide Permanent Peace of Mind

If you still have questions about termite baiting or if you want to know if it’s the right choice for you, call Colonial and ask to talk to one of our termite experts. We’ll work with you to come up with the best termite protection program for your home.

Photo Credit: Sentricon