Sentricon ... Termite Baiting System

Sentricon is used for termite control protection of buildings from subterranean termites

Sentricon - Termite Baiting System has been the most extensively tested of those similar products currently on the market. The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System was developed by Dow AgroSciences (Indianapolis, IN), and is sold only through authorized pest control firms. The bait contains a slow-acting ingredient which disrupts the normal growth process in termites (i.e., termites die while attempting to molt). Termite control with the Sentricon System entails a 3 Step process: (1) initial monitoring to pinpoint termite activity, (2) delivery of the bait, and (3) subsequent monitoring to provide ongoing protection of the structure.

► Step 1 ..... Initial Termite Monitoring

Termites are detected by installing plastic monitoring stations around the perimeter of the building. The station housing is a hollow green plastic cylinder, about 10 inches long by 2 inches wide, with slits along the sides for termites to enter. Initially, each station is provisioned with two untreated pieces of wood, intended as monitoring devices for the presence of termites in the area. The station is inserted into an augured hole in the ground, with the cover flush with the soil surface. Monitoring stations are installed around the outside perimeter of the building, at about 10- to 20- foot intervals alongside the foundation. Narrower intervals, while more effort to install and inspect, increase the odds that termites will encounter them during foraging. Stations are typically installed about 12 to 18 inches from the foundation, to avoid soil that may have been treated earlier with a liquid termiticide. Patios, driveways, and other paved surfaces are not a problem unless soil access is prevented around the majority of the structure. Oftentimes, stations can be installed farther out from the foundation, in adjoining planter boxes, etc. When necessary, stations can also be installed under pavement. As a supplement to installations along the foundation, additional stations are installed in suspected termite foraging areas, such as near pre-existing termite damage, stumps, woodpiles, or moist areas on the property. Periodically thereafter (monthly, bimonthly, etc.) the wood monitoring devices within each Sentricon station are inspected for termite presence.

► Step 2 ..... Sentricon Bait Delivery

When termites are found in a monitoring station, the untreated wood is replaced with a perforated plastic tube containing bait laced with a slow-acting termite growth inhibitor (noviflumuron). To hasten the overall process, termites feeding on the wood pieces are carefully dislodged and placed within the bait tube. Eventually, these termites tunnel through and out of the perforated tube, reuniting with their nestmates in the soil. In doing so, they leave behind a colony-specific scent that promotes recruitment of other nestmates to the bait. In order to promote additional "hits" (attacks) on stations, additional stations containing wood are installed near those receiving bait tubes. Inspection of all Sentricon stations, with and without substituted bait tubes, continues until no more live termites are discovered. Empty, moldy or degraded baits are replaced and additional stations added as deemed necessary.

► Step 3 ..... Continued Monitoring of Sentricon Bait Stations

After termites are no longer found in installed Baitubes, the baits are once again replaced with untreated wood pieces and monitoring continues. Even if the termite colony threatening the structure has been eliminated, termites from neighboring colonies can reinvade the area. Reinfestation can also occur if only part of the original colony or colonies was eliminated. Consequently, structures protected with Sentricon (and all other bait products and systems) will need to be continually inspected, monitored and maintained to guard against reinvasion from new colonies or previously suppressed ones. Once the termite population has been eliminated, the pest control firm will continue to monitor at three- to four-month intervals for an indefinite period. Independent research studies, including some performed in Kentucky, indicate that the Sentricon Colony Elimination System is an effective termite control option. Some of these studies involved structures that could not be controlled using conventional liquid methods. Despite Sentricon's demonstrated effectiveness, diligence and persistence are requisites for success — as is true for any termite management program. In order to use Sentricon, companies must receive training and adhere to rigid quality assurance standards required by the manufacturer. Various enhancements have been added in recent years to facilitate performance and serviceability. Aboveground stations are available to hasten delivery of bait to termites evident within in the structure. Another enhancement, "ESP Technology," utilizes a wand-like electronic device to detect termites within stations without opening or disturbing them.

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