How baiting systems work
Bait stations are installed around a home’s perimeter and checked on a regular monitoring cadence. Foraging termites feed on the bait and carry the active ingredient back to the colony, eliminating it at the source over time rather than instantly.
Baiting vs. soil treatment
Baiting is a lower-disruption installation than trenching for a soil barrier, which makes it a strong option where trenching isn’t practical — dense urban lots, hardscaping, or shared foundations. The tradeoff is that baiting requires ongoing professional monitoring rather than a one-time barrier installation.
Do baiting systems really work?
Yes — professionally installed and monitored baiting systems are an established, effective termite-control method. Effectiveness depends on consistent professional monitoring, though: a station that’s installed and then ignored is far less effective than one on a regular inspection schedule. Store-bought bait stakes sold at hardware stores use weaker active ingredients and aren’t professionally monitored, so they’re far less effective than a professionally installed and maintained system.
Cost: install plus ongoing monitoring
Baiting systems typically involve an installation cost plus ongoing monitoring or service fees, since the system requires regular professional check-ins to confirm activity and replace bait as needed — not a single one-time payment like a soil treatment. Call for a property-specific quote.