![]() Supplemental treatment with liquid termiticides may also be required. Successful termite baiting requires diligent installation, monitoring and bait replenishment, and ongoing surveillance of the structure. ![]() Termites tend to be cryptic in their foraging and feeding habits feeding on Terminate™ stakes out in the yard is no assurance that termites are not also feasting on the structure. Yet most customers will have difficulty knowing whether their home is truly being "protected" while the warranty is in effect. ![]() The warranty statement guarantees that the product will protect your home from subterranean termite attack for 12 months from the date of purchase. Despite the labeling changes, many homeowners purchasing the product may still think that their home is being protected from termite attack-an assumption not yet proven by published research data, especially when the bait is installed and maintained by homeowners rather than professionals. As part of a 1999 settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and several state attorneys general (including Kentucky), product directions now state that Terminate is not recommended as a sole protection against termites, and for active infestations the buyer is advised to get an inspection and treatment by a professional. Terminate's advertising claims could be misinterpreted by many consumers. Stakes should be replaced before termites consume all of the bait, and must be replaced or removed every 9 months. The instructions further state that after activity has ceased, the stakes should continue to be monitored at least every 3 months for an additional 9 months. Additional stakes are added within 1 foot of any that show evidence of termites. Following installation, the stakes must be inspected by the homeowner every 2 to 3 months by pulling them from the ground and observing whether the bait has been eaten, or if termites are present inside. Additional stakes are installed in “critical areas” suspected to contain termites, such as moist areas around mulch beds, water spigots, down spouts or sprinklers. Package directions specify that bait stakes be inserted into holes drilled in the ground around the perimeter of the home, about 10 feet apart and within 2-3 feet of the foundation. All except the smallest single family homes will require purchase of the larger-size boxes at an incrementally higher cost. Spectracide Terminate™ is sold in quantities of 20, 40, or 60 stakes per box, depending on the size (square footage) of the structure. Termites cannot see or smell the baits from any appreciable distance underground they encounter them largely by chance during their below-ground foraging activities. Because the bait material kills termites rather slowly (about 3 to 14 days after feeding), some transfer of the toxicant occurs to other colony members, including those that never fed on the bait. After termites have fed upon the bait, they exit the stakes and rejoin with their nest mates in the soil. The active ingredient in Terminate (sulfluramid) is incorporated into a small roll of corrugated cardboard, housed within a red, transparent plastic tube or “stake.” Bait stakes are 4 inches long by 1 inch in diameter, with holes drilled in the sides for termites to enter and exit. Some products have had difficulty eliminating termite infestations within structures and have required supplemental treatment with liquid termiticides. Furthermore, not all termite baiting systems are equally effective. Research and practical experience with the professionally-installed baits indicates that they require careful installation, diligent monitoring, and ongoing surveillance by a trained individual. Professional pest control firms have been using other termite baits, such as the Sentricon™ Colony Elimination System, for a number of years with favorable results (See ENTFACT-639, Termite Baits: A Guide for Homeowners). Formulated as a bait, the product is meant to be eaten by termites foraging below ground in the vicinity of the structure. Spectracide Terminate™ is an entirely different concept. Termites attempting to penetrate the treated soil are either killed or repelled, and the remainder of the population are forced to find food elsewhere. Traditional termite treatments afford structural protection by creating a persistent chemical barrier in the soil. However, there are issues with this product that should be considered in the purchasing decision. Terminate's retail price-under $100 for a box of bait stakes-is tempting, given that a professional termite treatment may cost well over $1000. The question homeowners are asking is: "Does the product work?" The Terminate™ Termite Home Defense System is being marketed under the Spectracide brand of lawn and garden insecticides.
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