Barriers to Bait Stations: Which Termite Treatment Suits You

Termite infestation is among the common pest problems in Singapore. The country’s tropical climate, characterised by frequent rainfall and high humidity, provide conducive environments for termites to thrive. These white ants are commonly referred to as ‘silent destroyers’ as they silently multiply and can cause extensive damage to your property, and wooden furniture, even leading to structural failure! Therefore, once you are certain of their presence, it is a wise choice to opt for professional termite treatment. ORIGIN Exterminators provide the best termite pest control in Singapore. We have advanced solutions that can be tailored specifically to rid your property of these silent intruders.

Before we proceed, let us tell you a fact: Do you know there are about 2750 termite species around the world? Well, you read that right! Therefore, to ascertain the best termite treatment, it is important to understand the type of termite infestation you are dealing with. However, among the thousands of termite species, three of them are prevalent in Singapore: Drywood termite, Subterranean termite, and Dampwood termite. 

Let us understand more about termites and discuss the methods of professional termite pest control in Singapore. Once you are familiar with the different methods to control these pesky pests, you can address the termite infestation with the help of a seasoned pest control company and save your property from any further damage.

Drywood Termite

As the name suggests, drywood termites do not require any moisture or soil contact to survive. They are adaptable and versatile pests that infest dry wood. They are commonly found in wooden beams, furniture, and other dry wooden components or structures on your property. 

Drywood Termite Treatment Options:

1. Fumigation: This is amongst the most effective termite treatment options for eradicating drywood termites. The process involves sealing the infested area or structure and releasing a gas to suffocate the pest. This gas, usually sulfuryl fluoride, is released which reaches every corner of the structure, killing the termites.
2. Heat treatment: When the termite infestation is localised (in a smaller area), heat treatment is used to exterminate them. Moreover, these termite species are highly susceptible to heat. Generally, a heat of above 120°F (49°C) is applied to the structures to eliminate drywood termites.
3. ORIGIN’s foam insecticide treatment: Foam treatment is crucial for checking and controlling dry wood termite infestation. The process includes injecting a specially formulated termiticide foam into areas or small holes where termites are active. As the foam penetrates deeper into the wood, it continues to kill the termites. Most importantly, the foam's residue continues to kill the termites upon contact.
4. Other natural or chemical wood treatments: Drywood termite treatment includes several natural and chemical methods. These techniques typically will vary based on the ability to penetrate the wood as the kill action is usually upon contact with the chemical. Getting beyond the surface can be challenging and you will require expert termite pest control in Singapore for the process. This technique is designed to target and eliminate these specific pests.

Subterranean Termites 

Considered the most destructive species, subterranean termites build their colonies underground (in the soil). They require ground contact, humidity, and moisture to grow and thrive. They build mud tubes to travel between food sources and back to their colonies. These termites find a way into your property through cracks and fissures in the foundation or other cracks or crevices in the structure.

The subterranean termite infestation typically occurs in basements, plumbing fixtures, and crawl spaces. These species are known for their feeding habits, as they can devour wood and cellulose material in a short period, causing extensive damage if left unchecked!

Subterranean Termite Treatment Options

1. Liquid termiticides: In this method, a chemical barrier is created by applying the liquid termiticide to the soil around the infested area. The termiticide either kills the termites upon contact or repels them. If the application is correct and secure the chemical barrier remains intact and the liquid termiticides for termite treatment.
2. Termite baiting: Underground bait stations are placed to eradicate the entire colonies of subterranean termites. These baits consist of insect growth regulators (IGRs) on which the termites feed, typically affecting their ability to shed their chitin ( exoskeleton) and/or impact their reproductive ability. While these baits are effective, they require a lot of patience as it may take several months for the toxic bait to spread and eradicate the entire colony.

ORIGIN Exterminators, the most trusted company for termite pest control in Singapore strongly believes in advocating for a greener and more measurable solution that can confirm eradication of a given colony. 

ORIGIN Termite treatments are customised to your property. It uses both above-ground and in-ground, where suitable,  techniques to administer the bait for control.

1. Above-ground stations: These stations are installed along the active mud tunnels that termites use to travel from their colonies to food sources. The termites feed on the baits in these stations. The bait matrix is made of cellulose, soft and moistened, making it attractive to  these subterranean termites to feed on. The bait matrix is laced with an insect growth inhibitor (less toxic than table salt!) that is specific only to subterranean termites. Upon consumption of the bait, which is done by the worker termites (as only the worker termites in the termite caste feed), they pass the bait to the soldier termites and queen through throphallaxis (the process of worker termites feeding other nest mates). The bait that is laced with this IGR affects them as it prevents them from shedding their chitin, which is typically the other layer of the termite. This affects their ability to moult resulting in the elimination of the entire colony over time. During this process, they are weakened and there are definitive signs of impact, where the appearance of the termite turns milky white. In this way, we can be certain if there has been an impact and be able to evaluate the process of elimination. This can take some time, but the slow speed is essential as killing termites too quickly would only deter the termites from that area or worse, fracture the colony, creating multiple smaller colonies in the property. Due to the nature of this process, the elimination process makes it very specific to subterranean termites making this very safe for pets, children, and other insects, including earthworms. Once the colony is eliminated, the above-ground stations are removed.

2. In-ground stations: These are used as preventive measures to keep a check on the recurrence of the silent pests on your property. This is valid only for landed properties, factories, office buildings and the common areas of condominiums. It needs to be able to have contact with the soil and is not suitable for most apartments and offices.  They are usually placed 5 metres apart and  have durable covers and come with locks to prevent unauthorised access. In concrete areas, ORIGIN uses concrete in-ground stations, making it  suitable for tiled areas, and driveways. Their covers can withstand high vehicle traffic.

1. Physical barriers: To ensure effective blocking of termites, sand barriers or stainless-steel mesh barriers are installed around a building’s foundation. These barriers work on the basis that they can curb termite infestation or their access to the structure. Physical barriers are generally used with other measures for complete termite treatment.
2. Soil drenching: Soil drenching is one of ORIGIN's innovative spot termite treatment designed to tackle garden pests that harm plants and trees. Not all subterranean species are equally destructive; some are primarily interested in feeding on bark rather than causing serious structural damage.To protect vulnerable greenery, a trench is carefully dug around the soil of the plant or tree, allowing for precise application of termiticide. ORIGIN ensures that the termiticides used have strong soil-binding properties to reduce the risk of leaching and, wherever possible, opts for environmentally friendly solutions. It’s all about striking the right balance between effective pest control and being kind to nature.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites require high moisture content to survive and invade areas that have high humidity levels. They can be found in decaying trees, logs, and other decaying wood. In such situations, removal or soil drenching is recommended.

Which Termite Treatment Suits You

Apart from the type of treatment chosen for specific termites, the methods largely depend on several other factors, including the type and structure of property, the level of infestation, personal preferences, and budget. Here we try to compare each method to help you choose the best termite treatment:

For Prevention Purposes:

If you want to safeguard your home for the long term and prevent termite infestation, then you should consider the ORIGIN Termite Baiting System. It works like an alarm system for termites, with its various in-ground stations. In areas where this option may not be viable, consider the use of a detailed inspection at least annually with a thermal camera. ORIGIN Termite Baiting Systems can be more costly as they require more inspections, but they may be cheaper in the long run in tropical climates like Singapore where termites are pervasive and damage from improper treatment or no treatment for replacement or rectification.

For Active Termite Infestation:

If you have failed at controlling an active termite infestation by DIY techniques, a bait station system can be your saviour! As mentioned earlier, termite baiting such as ORIGIN Termite Baiting System targets the entire colony and gradually eliminates the termites. 

For Sensitive Environments:

If you reside in a sensitive area with environmental concerns (near a river, waterway, or natural reserve) or are looking for non-toxic treatment, termite baiting is a great option. Expert termite pest control services in Singapore avoid the use of harsh chemicals that could leach into the soil and remove the risk completely of impacting any of the ecosystems that surround you. 

Conclusion

For effective termite treatment in Singapore, it is imperative that you know which species you are dealing with and the science behind the various methods. By staying informed you have an upper hand in dealing with termite infestation effectively. Generally, cooperation between you and your expert pest management company is the major key to a successful termite eradication plan.

Finally, whether you are battling a termite infestation or simply aiming to secure your space against these silent intruders, ORIGIN Exterminator’s termite treatment and solutions are designed to protect your property. Call us today to get quick relief from termite infestation.