BlogHow the Pros Stop Termites

It’s easy to understand how to wipe out some pest infestations. Everyone knows that controlling mice or spiders is mostly just about making sure they can’t get into your home. Unfortunately, however, some pests aren’t quite as easy to figure out. How do you stop something like termites, for instance? They live deep underground and chew through wood. Your house is made of wood! The good news is there are now termite prevention methods that are super effective at keeping termites away from your home. It’s possible to actually place small termite traps in the ground that form a barrier around your home, stopping them in their tracks. The best termite trap and barrier system the professionals use is the Sentricon^® System. What’s the saying? “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”?  It makes way more sense to prevent termites than it does to treat your home only after you have a damaging infestation. Here’s why finding a professional with the skills and tools to use Sentricon should be your first priority in case of a termite infestation.

What is the Sentricon^® System?

The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination system is an expertly-designed procedure that permanently eliminates subterranean colonies within a defined area. The system is the most extensively tested termite control product available today. The USDA Forest Service has completed over 60 field tests proving the effectiveness of Sentricon in various environments. These tests have concluded that Sentricon is the most effective termite elimination and prevention system currently available. Pest control experts all over the country utilize this system to keep their clients’ homes and properties termite-free. Cultural landmarks such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island all use Sentricon to prevent termite damage. Simply put, the Sentricon system under an expert's supervision is the best termite countermeasure there is.

What Makes It Different

Sentricon is so effective because it combines the best practices of integrated pest management with the most reliable anti-termite technology available. Unlike other treatments, it doesn’t rely on potentially harmful chemicals and its traps are as non-invasive as possible. Sentricon is the only termite product ever to earn the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award for its environmentally-friendly chemistry. Sentricon manages to remain effective without relying on chemicals by exploiting termite biology. The system was designed specifically with how termites function in mind. Instead of using noxious chemicals that would kill anything, the traps use a specially-manufactured concentrate that only kills termites. Not only is it safer for any non-termites nearby, it’s also simply more effective than the alternative. It’s a win-win.

How It Works

Sentricon Stations

The Sentricon system uses several “stations”, which are small, green cylinders containing Always Active^tm termite bait technology. An expert buries one of these stations every ten feet all around the perimeter of your property. The top of the station remains above ground, so your technician can periodically replace the Recruit^® HD bait inside.  Your pest control specialist will schedule periodic check-ins to make sure the stations are working properly.

Recruit HD bait

The Recruit HD bait inside each station is nearly 10 times more attractive to termites than wood. As the termites on your property expand their colonies, they’ll find the stations and access the bait inside--instead of eating the wood around your home. Workers carry the bait back to the colony to feed the queen and other castes. Recruit HD bait contains an insect growth regulator called “Noviflumuron”. When termites ingest Noviflumuron, it interferes with their ability to grow and molt. Colony workers can’t “sense” noviflumuron, so they continue prioritizing Recruit HD bait over their usual diet. Without the ability to molt, the entire termite colony will begin to die out. When the termite queen dies, the colony loses its ability to reproduce and will disappear entirely soon thereafter.

Future monitoring

Sentricon comes with a built-in way for your professional technician to know if you still have a termite infestation. The bait in the station is Always Active, so termites will keep grabbing it as long as they can. Therefore, if the Recruit HD bait isn’t depleting, it means your termite problem has been wiped out. Your technician will monitor each station to replace bait as needed, so they’ll know the moment you no longer have an infestation. As you may have noticed, the Sentricon system is surprisingly simple. The only component that needs any maintenance is the bait, which your technician will have to occasionally replace. Sentricon stations can be easily and safely removed from your property at any time, when you decide they’re no longer necessary. Sentricon also provides permanent termite protection as long as the stations are stocked with bait. Basically, when you have a Sentricon system permanently installed, you should never have to worry about termites again.   To use the Sentricon system, pest control professionals are required to undergo comprehensive training administered by Dow AgroSciences. Technicians who complete this training are called “Certified Sentricon Specialists”. All Plunkett’s technicians who respond to termite prevention calls are certified Sentricon specialists. If you’re worried about termites, you can’t do better than Sentricon or Plunkett’s. Call today to schedule an appointment, and ask about Sentricon! We’re happy to drive your termites out and keep them out permanently.