Subterranean termite is a real hidden pest.
The insect leads an extremely secret way of life, that is why sometimes it is very difficult to identify the presence of termites’ colony nest inside your house.
Slightly but surely, termites destroy all wooden structures of a house including basement, walls and ceilings, making a house unlivable and ramshackle.
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- Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection Stakes Kit
- Spectracide termite stakes reviews
- Spectracide Terminate Active Substance
- Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes Step-By-Step Application Instruction
- What Kinds of Pest Do They Kill?
- What to Do When the Stake Is Eaten Up?
- How Fast Do the Stakes Work?
- Safety Tips
- First Aid
- Useful articles
- Helpful video
- Summary
In the USA for example, there are on average from 13 to 14 subterranean termite colonies per acre, which means that a typical home may easily have three to four colonies situated under or around it.
There can be as many as 1,000,000 subterranean termites per colony; the threat of infestation becomes a very real one indeed.Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes are a perfect solution for those people, who consider a “green” alternative to standard chemical treatments.
Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection Stakes Kit
Spectracide termite detection and killing stakes kit is a milestone in termites’ infestation elimination problem and represents a kit of do-it-yourself termite bait stakes for those people who want to find some extra protection for their homes and other wooden structures against wood-destroying termites.
The spectracide termite stakes stakes have a pop-up and an easy-to-find locator shields that make it easier for regular inspection.
The kit also includes a digging tool, for faster installation and complete instruction booklet.
Spectracide termite stakes reviews
Spectracide terminate works on the principle of “termite baiting”. When one use Spectracide terminate there is no need to scatter dangerous chemicals all around the yard to control the termites – this “bait” contains cellulose food the ingredient called “sulflurimid” that is fed to the termites.
When subterranean termites have eaten most of the stake (it can take time), an orange spring loaded flag pop’s up indicating that it is time to replace or refill the stake.Foraging termites “bring” the substance to the colony to feed the other members, so they also die.
Here you can learn more information about another effective termite control remedies: Bora-Care, Boric acid, Borate, Fipronil, Chlorpyrifos, Chlordane, Borax, Timbor, Termidor and Terminator.
Spectracide Terminate Active Substance
The active substance of Spectracide terminate is Hexaflumuron (0.50%) – a termiticide (an insecticide specifically used on termites) first registered in the United States in 1994.
It is the first active ingredient registered with the EPA as a reduced-risk pesticide. Hexaflumuron is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that works by stopping the insect’s growth. It interferes with chitin synthesis which termites need to form a new exoskeleton.
Other ingredients (cellulose, etc.) contain 99.50% of stakes composition.
Check out the products of another giant – Bayer: Termite Killer Concentrate and Granules.
Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes Step-By-Step Application Instruction
Step 1: Gather together:
- Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes and locator shields.
- Tape measure.
- Graph paper (included with the kit).
- Auger.
- Power drill (optional).
Step 2: figure out the number of stakes needed for your structure. As a rule, Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection Stakes Kit contains 15 stakes that will be enough to cover the area of 200 linear feet. To estimate, use the square footage of your home excluding garage, attached decks, patios and porches.
Step 3: prepare the soil for Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes installation and prepare a drawing of your outside house using the graph paper (in the kit).
Note the places with possible termite activity (damp places, air condition lines) and put them on your drawing. Remove all debris, leaves and if needed remove sods in the places where you are going to install stakes (if it is very hard).
Recommendation: the average time to install all 15 stakes should be under 1 hour unless the soil is very hard. In that case, it is recommended to water the soil 24 hours before installation to allow the soil to loosen up and make installation easier.Step 4: install the stakes. Terminate Stakes are applied into the ground every 10 – 15 linear feet and about 3 feet from the perimeter of the house or other building.
For structures with roofs, it is recommended to install Spectracide Terminate baits just under and inside the “drip line” of the roof. The Terminate kit contains a “hand style” auger that easily allows to dig a hole and install the stakes.
Be careful! Before digging the soil for stakes installation, locate and avoid all potential underground hazards such as gas, electric, water and other utility lines.Step 5: monitor the stakes and wait till they are “eaten up”. Note the installation date and stakes location on your drawing. When subterranean termites have eaten most of the stake (it can take time), an orange spring loaded flag pop’s up indicating that it is time to replace or refill the stake. It is necessary to checks stakes every 3 months.
Here you can learn more information about effective treatment method called tenting (fumigation): dangers for termites, preparing for fumigation and cleaning after, how long does this procedure last?
What Kinds of Pest Do They Kill?
Warning! As it is said by the manufacturer, stakes are not recommended as sole protection against termites, and for active infestations one should get a professional inspection.
Does spectracide termite stakes work? Spectracide Terminate stakes are a perfect prevention measure for those, who want to protect their houses against termite infestation.
If a house or another structure is already facing termites’ infestation problem, Spectracide Terminate stakes will be a very useful extra measure along with soil treatment, tent fumigation and other elimination measures.
Spectracide Terminate stakes are able to kill subterranean foraging termites, as well as carpenter ants since these insects are close relatives by origin.
It is not effective against drywood termites, low effectiveness against Formosan termites.
Advice: if you want to reach a full protection of your dwelling against termites and carpenter ants, use Spectracide Terminate stakes together with Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam (fills voids and channels on wood) or with Termite and Carpenter Ant Killer (provides protection up to 9 months).What to Do When the Stake Is Eaten Up?
When subterranean termites have eaten most of the stake (it can take time), an orange spring loaded flag pop’s up indicating that it is time to replace the stake, otherwise check stakes every 3 months.
All stakes should be replaced or removed every 12 months. The empty container is not recommended to reuse: it should be put in trash or recycled if available. Do not reuse the bait cartridges – it can be ineffective.
To refill the stake, buy Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes (Refill) and follow the instruction.
How Fast Do the Stakes Work?
The quickness of stakes activity depends on a number of individual factors: the type of termites, weather, moisture and time of year. The time required for effectiveness depends upon how quickly termites enter the bait and eat it up. Approximately, it takes from 1 to 4 months (or longer).
Safety Tips
Hexaflumuron is low-toxic termicide to human and mammals, though it is harmful if absorbed through skin. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.
First Aid
If on skin or clothing: take off contaminating clothing.
Immediately rinse skin with soap and water for 15-20 minutes.
Visit a doctor or call Poison Control Center.
If in eyes: immediately wash eyes with water for 5-10 minutes.
Visit a doctor or call Poison Control Center.
Useful articles
If you interested in more information of termites we recommend you to read the following articles:
- All types of termites. Are they harmful to humans? Can they bite you? And what is the difference between drywood and subterranean ones?
- What does swarmers of different species look like: drywood, subterranean, formosan?
- Signs of infestation outside and in the house: in walls or furniture.
- What does termite holes look like? What is droppings and is it toxic to humans? Do termites make noises?
- Posible termite damage, how does it look like? Examples of damage in walls and wood floors.
- All about flying termites: how do they look like, swarming season and what to do if there are swarmers in your house?
- How do they do nests and mounds? How to find it in your garden or inside the house?
- Termite life cycle – from egg to larvae. And social hierarchy: workers, soldiers, queen.
Helpful video
This video shows how to do your own termite control, including specific instructions for using termite killing stakes:
Summary
The best option is to prevent the appearance of termites in your house, though they are not always possible to detect before it became a real problem.
Remember that there are many accessible and safe methods to destroy termites’ colony today, including Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes.
But only a specialist from termite control service will help you to choose the best option to get rid of the pests inside your house for a long-time.
