How
the Termalert® inground system works
Our
inground baits simply sit there waiting for termites to run into them.
When termites discover them they tend to eat the parts that appeal to them.
They will make themselves at home by maintaining their environment
using a system of mud walls that they create. This 'mudding' will be
observed during routine inspections by a professional ( or home owner ).
To date there have been many failed attempts to design baits that
actually 'attract' termites. One major manufacturer developed a CO2
emitting bait which has been strongly marketed. Their own scientific field
tests proved it's efficacy but failed to mention the effect natural rainwater
would have on it's so-called attractant. They claim attraction from 2 metres
away but even if they did work who would want to attract termites from 2
metres away towards their home.
DIY TERMALERT®
baits are installed in the ground with a transparent
window showing. Termites find them during their relentless search for food
and water. They love the special compound that the baits are impregnated
with. They start eating the bait and make themselves at home. Evidence
of active termites can be seen as mud under the window.
Now it's time for the 'treatment' phase.
A Termalert® Termite Collector is installed over or alongside the active
inground monitor. Termites will then move into it, thinking it is a large
lump of wood that has fallen to the ground. When enough termites have
moved in, they are 'treated'. The 'treated' termites will spread the 'treatment'
during their travel towards ( or into ) the main colony. Colony elimination
or massive suppression is achieved and the pressure is taken off.
So how does
the Termite Collector work ?
30 YEARS AGO they discovered what 'naturally' attracted termites & proved
it
in field tests. ( Santos, 1979; Ettershank et al., 1980 )
In one field test around 60 baits were set ( 30 sitting on the ground and
30
buried just below the surface ). The result was startling. ALL the above ground
baits were attacked but NONE of the buried baits.
In another test, natural and artificial baits were laid on the soil surface
with
a plastic sheet a few millimeters below the surface. The plastic sheet was
to
rule out the possibility of 'scent' being a bait discovery factor. They found
that
termites attacked natural and artificial baits equally.
7 YEARS AGO they confirmed it in laboratory tests and recommended that ALL
inground termite baits would become effective if they incorporated this
method of attraction.
( Dr. Dini Miller, Dr. Richard Fell, Dr. Donald Mullins, Dr.
Oliver Schabenberger, Dr. Michael Weaver 2004 )
So what exactly attracts a creature that is blind and has no sense of smell
?
Don't confuse pheremone detection with smell. They're not the same thing.
There is one aspect of a termite's environment that it's extremely sensitive
to.
Temperature !! A termite can detect the cooling caused by a thermal shadow
thrown into the soil by organic objects on the surface.
The Termite Collector uses this proven method of attraction.
It won't attract termites from metres away. No system actually can.
The big boys have done a great job of shooting themselves in their feet.
They have pushed the 'attraction' hype so much that most home owners
are afraid to install termite detection devices for fear that termites will
suddenly come galloping towards their homes.
Typical
installation
Typical
result
in just weeks.
If this type of result is
not achieved then there
is no significant termite
activity under the Collector.
Are DIY TERMALERT® products easy to use ?
Yes !!
Are they guaranteed to work ?
No system is guaranteed 100% but DIY TERMALERT® is as effective
as any at a small fraction of the cost.