Sentricon
Frequently Asked Questions
•How do I know if I have a termite
problem?
•What is in Recruit™ termite
bait that eliminates termite colonies?
•What if a house is already infested
with subterranean termites?
•How long does it take to eliminate
an existing colony?
•Is the Sentricon System effective
against the kind of termites I have?
•Why don’t the termites just
go between the stations to reach my house?
•If my neighbors use the Sentricon
System, won’t my house be protected, too?
•When the colony has been eliminated,
will the stations be removed?
•If I don’t currently have a
termite problem, can the Sentricon System protect my home from future
invasions?
•What's the difference between termite
baits? Aren't they all pretty much the same?
•Does the Sentricon System eliminate
the termite colony?
•Is there any independent research
to back up the claims that this termite baiting system really works?
•Can the Sentricon System be used
by itself or must a liquid chemical treatment be used with it?
•Which is a better method to protect
a property — a liquid chemical treatment or the Sentricon System?
•How will a liquid chemical treatment
affect a property or lifestyle?
•Is the Sentricon System more environmentally
responsible than liquid chemical treatments?
•How much chemical is used in a liquid
chemical treatment compared to the Sentricon System?
•How will the property be monitored
for the ongoing threat of termites if a homeowner were to consider a liquid
chemical treatment?
How do I know if I have a termite problem?
Call us to set up an appointment to inspect your home for evidence of
termites, like wood damage and mud tubes. Be sure to indicate if you see
swarming termites or discarded wings near doors and windows.
What is in Recruit termite bait that eliminates
colonies?
The Active ingredient in the bait is an insect growth
regulator (IGR). The IGR stops the termites' vital molting process, so
they are unable to grow. As a result the individual termites, and eventually
the whole colony, die off.
What if a house is already infested with subterranean
termites?
The Sentricon System can be installed to eliminate the
existing termite colony and the long-term threat. If infestation is so
great that termite mud tubes are visible inside the house or recent termite
damage is close to the surface, Recruit™ AG aboveground termite
bait may be used. Together, in-ground Sentricon stations and aboveground
Recruit AG termite bait stations can reach more termites, more quickly,
to eliminate the colony.
How long does it take to eliminate an existing
colony?
Although the exact amount of time to eliminate an existing
colony varies depending on termite species and geographical factors, once
the Sentricon System is installed, it begins working immediately. Authorized
Operators are trained to regularly monitor the Sentricon stations and
introduce Recruit termite bait when termites attack them. (Ask your Authorized
Operator about the average length of time necessary for colony elimination
in your area.) This monitoring process continues even after the termite
colony is eliminated, providing your home with security. No more colony.
No more problem.™
Is the Sentricon System effective against the
kind of termites I have?
Recruit termite bait used in the Sentricon System is effective
against all economically important subterranean (not drywood) termite
species in the continental United States and Hawaii. It does the job in
varying soil, climate and geographic conditions.
Why don’t the termites just go between
the stations to reach my house?
Termites are always looking for new feeding sites, even
though they may have already located an abundant food source. Termites
also feed randomly among all available food sites within their foraging
area. So, if termites are foraging near your home, they can find and attack
the monitoring devices in one or more of the stations. Once they "hit"
the monitoring stations, your Authorized Operator will place Recruit termite
bait in the stations to begin the process of colony elimination.
If my neighbors use the Sentricon System, won’t
my house be protected, too?
No. The Sentricon System can only protect structures where
it's installed. It's possible that there are many colonies foraging in
your neighborhood and the one that's attacking your home may not be the
one attacking your neighbor's home.
When the colony has been eliminated, will the
stations be removed?
No, only the Recruit termite bait will be removed from
the stations and replaced with monitoring devices. The stations will remain
in the ground. Once a colony has been eliminated, another one could invade
your property. The Sentricon System, along with regular monitoring by
an Authorized Operator, provides long-term protection for your home from
future termite invasions.
If I don’t currently have a termite problem,
can the Sentricon System protect my home from future invasions?
Yes. Continuous monitoring gives the Sentricon System
the unique ability to serve as both a preventative and a curative method.
When termites begin to feed on the monitoring devices in the Sentricon
stations, the monitoring device is replaced with Recruit™ termite
bait which ultimately leads to the colony’s demise. Many homeowners
with no known termite problem have used the Sentricon System to provide
security even before termites are found.
What's the difference between termite baits?
Aren't they all pretty much the same?
No, not at all. Other baits use various chemicals, including
stomach poisons, which kill termites that visit the bait stations. With
most other termite baits, the active ingredients may cause termites to
die or become ill near the bait station. In these cases, other termites
tend to avoid the stations before the bait has time to affect the colony.
Because many of these baits are not very effective, they often require
a simultaneous liquid chemical treatment. But the Sentricon System is
a stand-alone termite treatment, which means it does not have to be used
with a liquid chemical treatment. Its active ingredient affects termites
slowly, allowing them to recruit their nestmates to feed on the bait,
ultimately causing termite colony elimination.
Does the Sentricon System eliminate the termite
colony?
Yes. The Sentricon System provides proven termite colony
elimination. And with regular service from an Authorized Operator, it
continues to protect homes from future invasions.
Is there any independent research to back up
the claims that this termite baiting system really works?
The Sentricon System has been tested by 18 universities
and the U. S. Department of Agriculture against all economically important
subterranean termite species. More than 40 scientific papers have been
published on the Sentricon System and/or its components.
Can the Sentricon System be used by itself or
must a liquid chemical treatment be used with it?
Because it is a complete system, the Sentricon System
is a stand-alone termite treatment, which means it does not have to be
used with a liquid chemical treatment. Not all termite baits are used
alone.
Which is a better method to protect a property
— a liquid chemical treatment or the Sentricon System?
The Sentricon System is the best option because it is
proven to eliminate the termite colony. In addition, through regular monitoring
by an Authorized Operator, it provides long-term protection by detecting
and eliminating future colonies that might invade the area. Liquid chemical
treatments degrade over time, and an opening as small as 1/16 inch is
like an open door to allow termites to enter the property.
How will a liquid chemical treatment affect
a property or lifestyle?
Liquid chemical treatment methods have remained largely
unchanged since the 1950s. They require digging a trench around the foundation
of the home and may require drilling holes approximately every 12 inches
into the floor or foundation. Then, hundreds of gallons of a diluted liquid
chemical are injected into the soil to create a barrier. This type of
treatment typically causes significant disruption to the home and landscaping.
The Sentricon System provides peace of mind for homeowners without drilling
in floors and foundations, without the mess of liquid chemicals, and without
the scheduling hassles. Only a regular visit from your Authorized Operator
will remind you of its continuous activity and security.
Is the Sentricon System more environmentally
responsible than liquid chemical treatments?
The active ingredient in the Sentricon System is delivered
to termites through Recruit™ and Recruit AG termite bait. It is
used in very small quantities, only when and where it is needed, compared
to hundreds of gallons of diluted liquid chemical. The Sentricon System
was the first product registered under the Environmental Protection Agency's
Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative. In 2000, the Sentricon System became
the first termite treatment product to receive the highly respected Presidential
Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the EPA.
How much chemical is used in a liquid chemical
treatment compared to the Sentricon System?
Liquid chemical treatments may use more than 200 gallons
of diluted chemical. The Sentricon System uses just grams of termite bait,
only when and where termites are present.
How will the property be monitored for the ongoing
threat of termites if a homeowner were to consider a liquid chemical treatment?
Most companies may not inspect at all, or they will provide
just one annual, visual inspection following a liquid chemical treatment.
Authorized Operators for the Sentricon System are different. They provide
ongoing service so that there is no more colony and no more problem. At
least several times per year, Authorized Operators monitor the Sentricon
System for termites, bait to eliminate termite colonies and then monitor
again for any new termite colonies that might invade the area.
|
