Exterra Termite Monitoring Systems Vs Termite Chemical Barriers
It’s one of the most common questions asked by people with a termite problem. And one that’s a constant source of debate in the pest control industry. Which form of treatment is better: a termite monitoring system or chemical barrier?
The truth is, there’s no clear answer. There are a range of factors that determine whether one treatment is better than the other. Some of the most common concerns include the scope of the infestation, property layout, and the customer’s budget. Any reputable pest control company should take these factors into account when choosing the best treatment for you.
To help you – the customer – be more informed, here are the pros and cons of each treatment type.
Liquid Termite Barrier :
This process involves applying a chemical termiticide to the soil, either under concrete flooring or around the perimeter of the building. It can be applied to most new and existing buildings at any stage of their life.
When installed correctly, the liquid barrier either kills the worker termites or forces them to surface and reveal their mud tunnels. Some companies use special termiticide that, when consumed, slowly poisons the worker termite. But not before the termite carries the poison back to the nest and then infects the whole colony and Queen.
While very effective in most cases, liquid termite barriers have their drawbacks.
For starters, often it’s necessary to bore holes and trench around the foundation of the building and this can be costly, time-consuming and disruptive. The team may also need to temporarily remove then reinstall hot water systems and water tanks in order to access certain parts of the property.
Another downside comes down to the nature of the barrier itself. In reality, there’s not much to stop termites from digging above or below the barrier to gain entry. And while doing so may reveal their location, if you’re not paying attention at the time – you may notice until it’s too late. Also, if you have the wrong type of soil (only fine soil with very few rocks will work) or any other construction issues, then a liquid barrier is often not viable.
To maintain the warranty of a liquid barrier, you must have an annual termite inspection done by a licensed pest expert. This typically costs around $180 to $250 based on the size of the building.
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Termite Baiting Stations :
Termite baiting stations are designed to form a protective termite barrier around the premise. While early baiting stations were designed to either monitor or kill termites, these days most stations can do both.
To create a secure barrier, baiting stations are placed around the perimeter – installed either in the ground or concrete – and spaced at least 2 to 3 metres apart. This is the optimal distance to ensure worker termites enter at least one of the baiting stations.
To aid this effort each station is filled with wood or other organic material that termites find irresistible. Once inside, termite bait is placed into the container and consumed by the worker termites, who become poisoned and return to the nest – infecting the rest of the colony and the Queen.
Baiting stations must be monitored and refilled by a licensed pest expert multiple times a year. Unlike a liquid barrier, this option is not mandatory, but it is essential to a long-term treatment plan. Generally speaking, if there’s termite activity the stations must be checked at least every 4 to 6 weeks, and if there’s no termite activity they must be checked every 6 to 10 weeks.
Overall, the yearly maintenance cost of a termite baiting system is around $800 to $1200 based on the building size.
Why Choose Exterra Termite Baiting Systems?
When it comes to termite treatment, a reputable pest control company should never only offer one form of treatment. All contributing factors should be taken into account to come up with a tailored treatment plan that suits your needs and budget.
That being said, if your building has construction flaws or the wrong soil type, a termite baiting system could be the answer.
Critter Busters is an authorised operator of Exterra, the world leaders of termite baiting and monitoring solutions. By creating a complete Termite Interception Zone around your home, the Exterra baiting system eliminates the source of the infestation and provides continuous relief from invasive termites.
patented REQUIEM™ termite bait is specially formulated to poison only termites and can be used in all climates. Plus, the formula is toxic-free so it’s not harmful to people, pets or other wildlife. And to speed up the treatment process, each baiting station contains eucalypt timber interceptors, which termites find irresistible.
Best of all? As an authorised Exterra supplier you’re covered by a workmanship guarantee and manufacturer warranty. So you can rest easy knowing your home or business is safe from costly termite-related damage for good.
