Several termite baiting systems are available for the early discovery of those termites that live in the soil and even though they all work under the same premise........to detect termite activity before they invade your
homes, they all work differently and use different active ingredients to achieve that objective.

The various systems which, at the present time, are used more extensively than some of the others are:

1. Exterra

2. Firstline

3. Outpost

4. Sentricon

5. Subterfuge
 

EXTERRA:  The exterra system is made by Ensystx and use the active ingredient difflubenzuron, which
interferes with the molting process....causing death after around 1 month.  Exterra systems use both wood
with and without being bait treated.  Untreated wood is placed in slots located on the inside of the bait
station...as soon as activity is observed, a shredded paper bait is inserted in the middle chamber.  This
bait system uses a larger bait station than other baiting systems....a four inch diameter station, other
systems are a bit smaller at approximately 2 to 3 inches.  Above ground stations are also available.

FIRSTLINE:  Manufactured by FMC Corporation. ...with the active ingredient being 0.01% sulfluramid,
a slow acting stomach poison which disrupts termite metabolism.  This system also incorporates a liquid
treatment using the active ingredient bifenthrin (sold under the trade name of Talstar).  In ground baiting
containers are placed at 10 ft. intervals around the structure to be protected, untreated wood is placed in
the buried trap and is monitored monthly for signs of termite activity.  If activity is found, the solid plastic
bait traps are replaced by a perforated bait station containing wood treated with the termiticide chemical
(Firstline GT Plus).  Bait traps are inspected at regular intervals, and baited wood is replaced as needed, 
until no more signs of termites are found.  Quarterly inspections are carried out (for a fee) as long as an
inspection contract is kept in force.

OUTPOST:  Outpost uses the active ingredient diflubenzuron and stops the molting process of termites,
causing them to be unable to shed their outer covering.  This results in their death.  The Outpost baiting
station is a round, black tube with a green lid.  This system uses the same system as exterra and does not
use bait impregnated wood until termite activity is evident.  This baiting system can be used along with liquid
termite treatment, placed in areas which are known to attract termites and which have active termite activity.
Studies confirming the effectiveness of Outpost is not fully available at this time.

SENTRICON:  This is the first termite baiting system and various studies have shown this baiting system
eliminates termite colonies by placing bait stations in strategic located intervals around the structure.  The
bait stations use Recruit termite bait which is ingested by scout termites, taken back to the colony and fed 
to the other termites, causing their deaths. The active ingredient contained in the sentricon baiting system
is hexaflumuron.  This slow acting poison is readily accepted by termites, is very effective in controlling 
termite colonies and, at the present time, is the only baiting system which can stand alone without the use
of any liquid termidicides.

SUBTERFUGE:   Subterfuge is the only baiting system that kills termites from the instant it is installed.  The
bait stations are buried at measured intervals around the structure to be protected.  Wood shavings are
then inserted into the stations, already soaked with a termiticide called hydramethylnon, a formulation that
is highly palatable to termites.  Scout termites feed on the baited wood, then take it back to the colony to
feed to other members.  This results in a rapid depletion and eventual elimination of the termite colony.
This baiting system also incorporates the use of conventional liquid treatments and should be monitored
on a quarterly basis to ensure that termites do not return.  Subterfuge is manufactured by the BASF Corp.

All baiting systems should be monitored on at least a quarterly basis, and fees and frequency of monitoring
should be spelled out in a monitoring contract which can range from around $120.00 per year, to around
$280.00 per year, depending on the number of baiting stations to be monitored, and by the pest control
company who installed the system and will be doing the monitoring.

Homeowners should get at least three estimates to install and monitor baiting systems, after you have
visited with your county extension agent and have settled on the type baiting system that best suits your
needs.

Termite baiting systems will only work on subterranean termite colonies....other termites, such as drywood 
and dampwood, require different elimination methods, such as tenting.