Tools To Help PMPs Provide Excellent Termite Baiting Services

Looking for a way to expand your profits and the services of your pest control business? Consider adding termite baiting!

Over the past 10 years, Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) have provided an increasing number of subterranean termite baiting services. In 2011, termite baiting comprised about 13% of U.S. termite treatments. By 2021, that percentage had increased to 35%. (Specialty Products Consultants, 2021). It’s obvious by the numbers that baiting for subterranean termites has become a high growth opportunity for PMPs!

There are many benefits to termite baiting, including higher visibility of stations and ongoing protection, higher customer account retention and lower labor inputs required at time of installation (versus conventional liquid treatments). There’s also flexibility for when termite baiting systems go into the ground, since they can be installed pre-construction or postconstruction (please refer to the bait system label). To see an example, review the Trelona® ATBS Annual Bait Station label, which can be accessed at http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ ldE28005.pdf. A major tenant of Trelona Annual termite baiting is that structural protection is afforded by adherence to the label directions and through the elimination of the subterranean termite colonies that locate and feed upon the bait within the stations.

As with all professional pest control services, attention to detail by the PMP is key to providing highly effective services. With the right tools for the job, the quality of a termite baiting service is enhanced. Here are the tools we recommend the when installing Trelona ATBS Annual Bait Stations:

1. Comprehensive Site Diagram (digital or hard copy)

2. Measuring device (tape, wheel, etc.)

3. Smartphone (camera for pictures)

4. Long soil probe or screwdriver (looking for rocks, sprinkler lines, etc.)

5. Soil auguring tool (manual, gas or electric powered drill with augur bit)

6. Hard surface coring drill and drill bit (can be hired out to a 3rd party)

7. Personal Protective Equipment (ear, eye and hand protection for power augers and hard surface coring)

8. Station / cartridge scanning device (if scanning into company software system)

9. Permanent marker or paint pen (numbering stations and/or cartridges)

10. Spider tool (open the Trelona stations)

11. Siesta® Insecticide Fire Ant Bait and/or Advance ® 375A Granular Ant Bait (reduce ant activity)

12. Termidor ® Termiticide (option to treat termite active areas (foam or liquid dilutable))

To make ongoing termite bait station inspections a snap, gather and have the following tools on hand:

1. Tote or bucket caddy (carry tools and supplies)

2. Comprehensive Site Diagram (digital or hard copy)

3. Smartphone (camera for pictures)

4. Knee pads (or kneeling pad)

5. Long soil probe or screwdriver (locating mulch or debris covered stations) a. RFID Station Locator (another option for covered stations)

6. Spider tool (to open the Trelona stations)

7. Cotter pin/key puller (retrieve cartridges from stations)

8. Clean out auger or melon baller (remove obstructing soil from interior of station)

9. Brush with firm bristles (remove obstructions from station top for lid replacement)

10. Medium size nail claw (cartridge removal)

11. Extra station lids (replacements)

12. Extra Trelona bait cartridges (replacements)

13. Extra Trelona Stations (additions or replacements in vehicle)

14. Soil auguring tool (manual, gas or electric powered drill with augur bit-in vehicle)

15. Station / cartridge scanning device (if scanning into company software system)

16. Permanent marker or paint pen (numbering stations and/or cartridges)

17. Advance ® 375A Granular Ant Bait (eliminate ants from station(s)

18. Termidor ® Termiticide (option to treat termite active areas (foam or liquid dilutable))

Contact your BWI sales representative to purchase these items. Trelona ATBS Annual Bait Stations, training materials and collateral can be found at https://pestcontrol.basf.us/ products/trelona--atbs.html.

Good Luck and Let’s Be Careful Out There!

Dr. Bob Davis, Technical Services Representative, BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions. Dr. Davis is based out of Blanco, TX. He can be reached at 512 657-5913 or at robert. davis@basf.com.

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