How to Install Termite Bait Stations [Guide & Bait Options]

Termite baits are one of the most popular solutions in detecting and killing the pest. The good thing about this method is you can install it on your own. Also, various termite bait stakes are available in the market, which you can purchase easily. So for this post, we will discuss what a termite bait is, how it works, how to install termite bait stations, and other additional tips.

TERMITE BAIT	BRAND	EXPERT RATING	CHECK PRICE
	Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection Kit		Check Price
	Advance Termite Bait Monitoring System		Check Price
	Trelona Compressed Termite Bait		Check Price

Termites are a well-known pest. It costs $5 billion worth of damage yearly, mostly in residential areas. In fact, treatment costs fall at an average of $3,000 for every infestation. With such amount, you should exhaust all means to detect and arrest the infestation early.

What are termite bait stations?

Termite bait stations are cylinders containing cellulose and termiticide. This is planted on the ground, ideally where the colony is located or have been detected to be passing through.

The goal of this baiting system is to lure the termites into the food source. Take note that the poison used here is slow-acting. So once they feed on the termiticide-laced cellulose, they will spread the toxins to the colony, causing exponential death.

However, termite baits should be installed properly so that it will yield the best results. Also, you have the patient as initial hits (the presence of termites on the cylinder) may take weeks, sometimes months.

The goal of this eradication method is to eliminate the colony in the least invasive manner. Instead of pouring termiticides all over your house, baiting systems can be used to target the termites.

In this video, Andrew Sutherland, SF Bay Area IPM Advisor at UCCE, tells us more about termite bait stations:

Is it effective for all termite species?

Take note that termite baits are used for Subterranean or Formosan termites since these two species burrow underground. If you have Dampwood or Drywood termites on your property, ground baits aren’t the answer.

Still, it can help detect an infestation or another species, if you suspect that your property is a host to multiple termite colonies.

Benefits of using termite baits

Are you planning to use termite baits on your property? By using this method, you will experience the following benefits:

*Environment-friendly termite solution

Although bait systems contain termiticides, it’s only in small amounts. Also, it’s contained within the cylinder, reducing the chance of contaminating water sources.

Still, you should be careful where you place it. During the rainy season, the poison may leak and lose the bait’s efficacy. Worse, it may seep through water lines if not sealed well.

Nevertheless, baits are the least harmful solution to termites next to nematodes.

*Non-disruptive

Unlike chemical treatments and fumigation, termite baits are non-disruptive. You can employ this method without the need to vacate your home. Also, it poses minimal risk to children and pets, as long as it’s mounted on spots where they have limited access.

Also, baits don’t need indoor drilling, unlike other invasive methods.

*Can be installed on your own

You can purchase termite bait stakes online or in any home supplies store. Most of all, you can plant it on the ground on your own. Thanks to various online resources, termite baits are very easy to use and monitor.

Take note that you simply can’t install baits just about anywhere.

*Detection and eradication at the same time

Termite baits are also used to detect an infestation prior to the treatment. For this purpose, you’ll fill the cylinder with cellulose without the termiticide. When you see the pest feeding on it, that’s the time you can add the poison or call a professional exterminator to assess your property.

Bait vs. barrier

Although termite baits are useful, its effects are often pitted with barriers. Liquid barriers are the most popular termite solution as it offers guaranteed kill and long-term protection on the treated structure.

However, since it uses potent termiticides, it’s not an ideal solution for all homes, much so for those located in coastal areas.

So how can you choose between the two? Here are some of the situations to consider:

*How fast do you want to eradicate the infestation?

If you want to get rid of the infestation fast, you’re better off with a barrier treatment. Bait systems are slow-acting and it can take months to take down an entire colony. Also, there’s no guarantee that every single termite will be eradicated in the process.

Also, if your home is infested with Drywood and other non-soil burrowing species, baits are out of the picture. These species don’t harbor on the ground and it’s impossible for them to reach the baits.

*Do you want to avoid digging around your house and drilling holes?

If you’re looking for a solution that won’t require damaging your home, baits are a great alternative. Still, you have to be patient with the result. Also, termite baits are limited to specific species alone.

How to install termite bait stations

Are you looking for detailed steps on how to install termite bait stations? In this section, we’re going to discuss a step-by-step process of preparing your property, installing the baits, and monitoring it over the next few weeks:

Step 1. Prepare the materials

Before you go digging around your home, you have to prepare the materials first. Basically, you need a posthole digger or a shovel for excavating the installation spots. Nevertheless, some bait station systems come with a digging tool so you wouldn’t have to look for anything else.

Next, you should prepare the bait stations. Take note that you should install one bait station every 10 feet around the structure. This means a dozen or so cylinders or stakes.

Once you have the bait supplies, fill it with cellulose. Usually, it’s wood shaving or small pieces of wood. For the pre-baiting process, you will not add a termiticide right away. This is important to establish the eating habits of the termites.

Also, by pre-baiting, you can make the baits more effective in spreading the toxin into the colony as the termites are oblivious of the poison.

Step2. Map out the installation spots

Next, you should plan on which spots you’re going to bury the baits. This will help you assess the number of cylinders you need and the work you’re going to do.

The goal is this: surround the structure with the baits that are 10 to 15 feet apart and at least 2 feet away from the nearest foundation or part of your house.

Once you have marked the spots, it’s now time to do the digging.

Step 3. Drill holes on the ground

Depending on the size of the baits, you can use the digging tool included in the package. For larger baits, you can dig with a shovel or borrow a posthole digger.

The depth you need should be enough to bury the body of the cylinder while leaving the opening on the surface of the ground. This is necessary so you can check it from time to time. Also, once the pre-baiting phase is done, you’ll add more wood and the slow-acting termiticide that will kill the pest.

Step 4. Bury the cylinders 

Once you have the holes dug, insert the cylinder into it. Don’t cover the top so you can monitor it easily.

What you need to do is to ensure that the baits are fit snugly into the ground. If the holes are too big for the cylinders, you simply have to squeeze in some soil around it.

After this, you’re all set. Still, it doesn’t mean that your job in eradicating the termites is done.

How to know if the bait is working

Termite baits aren’t set-it-then-forget-it solution. Since what we did earlier is the pre-baiting process, you’d have a continuous task of monitoring for possible hits.

*Inactive bait monitoring

For southern states, termites will take about 1 to 5 months to discover the bait and establish a foraging habit. However, for northern states, it could take up to 12 months.

You have to be patient as termite baiting will span for months. But once you see the presence of termites, it’s time to add the toxic bait into the cylinder.

*Active bait monitoring

After adding the delayed-action toxin to the bait, you should now monitor each cylinder monthly. It may take weeks or months to notice a decline in the termite population feeding on the baits.

Once the baits are empty of termites, you can assume that its colony has been eradicated. However, you shouldn’t be too complacent. You should place inactive bait once again as a detecting tool for future infestations.

Top 3 Best Termite Bait Stations

OUR TOP PICK: Spectracide Termite Detection and Killing Stakes

Product Name: Spectracide Termite Detection and Killing Stakes

Product Description: Our top pick for termite baits is the Spectracide Termite Detection and Killing Stakes. Each stake are 7 inches long and each box comes with 15 pieces. Aside from that, you’ll get a handy digging tool so you can install the baits within minutes. Each stake comes with termite food infused with the active ingredient Hexaflumuron. Also, each cylinder has a pop-up termite indicator for hassle-free monitoring.

Offer price: $$$

Availability: InStock

• GET IT NOW!

• Baiting Level
• Value for Money
• Killing effect

Overall

5

Summary

Just place each Spectracide stakes for every 10 feet and about 2 to 3 inches away from the foundation of your house. If you need to fill up the stakes, refills are available from the same brand

Based on our experience, Spectracide works better than Terminix baits. It works like magic in detecting and killing Subterranean termites.

However, if you find that the poison isn’t strong enough to kill the pest, you can add your choice of slow-acting termiticide in it.

Pros

✔️Each affordable box comes with 15 stakes

✔️Comes with a digging tool

✔️Easy to install

Cons

❌Dilutes faster than other stakes (but not a biggie)

RUNNERS-UP

BASF Advanced Termite Bait Monitoring Stations

If you want a more potent baiting system, the BASF Advanced Termite Bait Monitoring Stations is what we recommend. Although it’s way pricier than Spectracide, each cylinder and bigger and can house bigger colonies.

However, this doesn’t come with a digging tool. Still, it works like magic in detecting the mites and killing their entire colony, both underground and those residing in your house.

Considering that it’s made by BASF, we guarantee its killing effect. Also, it comes with an instruction that’s very easy to read and follow.

Also, each cylinder comes with wood and the slow-acting termiticide. All you have to do is install it on your yard.

Based on our experience, this termite bait works as promised. Since it’s a bait, you still need to be patient as the mites may take to discover each cylinder.

Trelona Compressed Termite Bait

Do you have a colony of invasive Subterranean termites in your home? We recommend the Trelona Compressed Termite Bait. Each box of this baiting system comes with 6 cylinders.

This termite bait uses 0.5{760fa5fe69264f9efb02d8b9e11421e4d46635a96414139e1b83337fc8d2242a} of Novaluron as the active ingredient.

Make sure that you install each bait cylinder at least 3 feet away from your house’s structure and up to 20 feet away from each one.

However, you should also note that this baiting system can’t be sold and shipped in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, New York, Utah, Washington, and Tennessee.

So far, this has worked as indicated and we noticed a decrease in the termite population.

Final words

Knowing how to install termite bait stations allows you to detect an infestation and arrest its population. Aside from getting the process right, you should also purchase the best baiting system.

We highly recommend the Spectracide Termite Bait System for easy and convenient installation. It’s powerful against termites, but very easy on the pocket. Also, it protects your house from the damages of an infestation.

Have you used a termite bait before? How’s your experience in eradicating the pest? Share it with us in the comment section below!