The Battle Against the Hidden Invaders:

Posted March 20, 2025 by Sarah Malone
Category: Advice, Termites

Learn how Australian Climates Affect Termite Baiting Systems.

In Australia we have a very warm and humid environment, mainly along the coastal areas which provides termites with the most ideal conditions.

These hidden destructive invaders can inflict a lot of damage in homes causing major structural damage before you even realise, they are there. Traditional treatments include chemical barriers which have been found to be very effective. However in recent times termite baiting systems have been found to offer a more targeted and less aggressive approach to treating termites and are well suited to Australian environments and the challenges it poses.

How do the Systems work?

Termite baiting is about working smarter not harder and work with the insects natural foraging behaviors.

Monitoring stations are strategically placed around the exterior of the building and contain timber interceptors to attract any nearby termites to the station. These stations are checked regularly for any activity. If termites are found during one of these checks the pest controller will then ‘bait’ these termites directly in the stations.

The bait used is a cellulose-based mix with a slow-acting insecticide. The termites will consume this bait and carry it back to the rest of the colony. The advantage of the bait being slow-acting allows it to be distributed through out the colony before the effects take place which effectively will eliminate the entire nest.

Why are baiting systems beneficial in Australia?

Due to the variety of types of termite species found in Australia it is important to have a flexible type of treatment. Baiting systems can target a variety of different types of termite species and are also able to be used in a range of different building construction types. Previous chemical barriers couldn’t be used in existing concrete slab homes, this heavily limited how to treat termites once found. Baiting systems are now used in these hard-to-reach areas and provide a greater type of protection.

The other advantage to baiting is that is has a less of an impact on the environment. By using less insecticides compared to the traditional methods we have less risk of contaminating the surrounding water sources and soil.

We are also able to increase the ability to target termites and not other insects which do help the local ecosystems.

How Successful are Termite Baiting Systems?

Termite baiting success can depend on several factors some include:

• That the stations are monitored regularly to gain early detection of any attacking colonies and to be able to bait the termite before they move on from this area into your home.

•  That they are installed by a professional correctly; this includes strategically placing them around the building and proper maintenance for optimal results.

We also find that due to the varied Australian climates, termite activity can change. For example, when we have an increase in rainfall termites will be encouraged to increase their foraging. However, when it is dryer termites will dig deeper into the soil. A pest controller is aware of these changes and will adjust the baiting schedule to suit.

By understanding how termite baiting systems work home owners are able to make informed decision about how to protect their homes. It is important to do research into what systems are available and to work with your pest controller to create the best defense against these hidden invaders.

For more information please contact our office or have a look at the Exterra website for an example of one type of baiting program.