Termite Baits are often bypassed by Termites

According to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)
Termite Baiting Systems are :

*A post-construction methodology only
*Often bypassed by termites
*Indiscriminate in their action
*Often able to impact heavily on a healthy environment


Termite Baiting Systems (TBS)

The use of termite baiting systems has become a more common and widespread practice with the failure of many of the physical, chemical and reticulation systems discussed herein.  Termite baiting systems provide mixed results that sometimes may provide a solution dependent on a vast range of factors.  TBS are indiscriminate and may get the target species, or they may affect other termite species in the environment.

Termites often progress past termite baiting systems and proceed to forage in a building structure.  Termite baiting systems are generally remedial or preventative measures and are often used where either the cost of a chemical termite management system is prohibitive or otherwise logistically difficult to emplace.  Sometimes, because of certain construction methodologies, it is the only means by which some means of defence is afforded a structure.  It needs to be immediately recognised that termite baiting systems are not a means of protection and are simply a bait to attract and poison termite colonies.  Termite baits are often bypassed.

What does need to be understood with termite baiting systems is that despite the fact that they may provide toxicants to the target species, they often strike other termite colonies in the local environment.  It needs to be further noted that termites are a base provider of a healthy environment and that excessive baiting in several suburbs has created a very unhealthy and termite depleted environment.  There needs to be some environmental controls on the current unregulated baiting process.  Termites are a base food stock in nature that recycles, fertilises and aerates soil.  In fact, termites are a prerequisite for a healthy environment.



TBS are : -  A post-construction methodology only
Often bypassed by termites
Indiscriminate in their action
Often able to impact heavily on a healthy environment

SOURCE:
Termite Action Group