HOW THE SENTRICON SYSTEM WORKS
Does the Sentricon® System attract termites?
No. The Sentricon System takes advantage of termites' natural foraging behavior, so they will eventually find the stations. The bait in the system is a slow-acting killer. The termites will feed on the bait, take it back to the colony, and feed their nest mates. Eventually the termites will start dying off, but they will not be able to pin-point where the poison is coming from. So, eventually the entire colony will be eliminated.
How long does the Sentricon® System take to start working?
The Sentricon® System begins to work the moment it is introduced. However, depending on the size of the termite colony, it may take a series of months to control an entire termite colony population.
How often are the bait stations on my property checked and managed?
Depending on the particular type of Recruit® bait used in the stations, your Authorized Operator’s routine inspections could happen twice a month, monthly, or quarterly. If Always Active™ technology is in play, however, inspections need only be done once per year.
Does the Sentricon® System require any other products to be totally effective?
No. The Sentricon® System is a stand-alone technology, and we do not recommend any additional products. Other termiticides that come into contact with Sentricon® stations can cause termites to avoid the contaminated area and the station.
What makes the Sentricon® System a superior product?
Alternative treatments are antiquated efforts to keep termites away, and can be very disruptive to your property and lifestyle. But the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System is just that – an entire system that represents the very latest in termite science. It is an award-winning technology that takes advantage of natural termite behavior, using the termites themselves to destroy their entire colony.
Can bait stations be installed indoors?
Yes. The Recruit® AG bait station is designed to be used against termite infestations above ground, under specific circumstances. Your Authorized Operator, after a thorough inspection, can tell you if your situation warrants this special configuration.
MAINTENANCE, MONITORING, AND THE AUTHORIZED OPERATOR
How do I find an Authorized Operator?
It’s easy. Visit the Find-A-Pro page. When you enter your zip code, you will be given information for providers in your area. It is a great idea to ask friends and family who use the Sentricon® System for a referral.
How much does the Sentricon® System cost?
You will contract with an Authorized Operator for inspection, installation, and maintenance services, fees, and guarantees. Visit the Find-A-Pro page.
I moved into a home with existing Sentricon® stations. What should I do?
Sentricon® System service contracts do not transfer from one homeowner to the next. However, if you use the Find-A-Pro page and call a few of the Authorized Operators in your area, you should be able to locate the company that serviced the property before you bought the house. They will know the property’s termite history.
How do I choose one Authorized Operator over another?
Authorized Operators have to meet numerous standards before they can sell and service the Sentricon® System. Once authorized, there are guidelines that must be followed. Ask family members, friends, and neighbors who have used an Authorized Operator for references. Ask what type of pest problem they had and if they were satisfied with the service they received. Check with local agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau. Check with the agency that inspects and regulates professional pest management operations in your state. Authorized Operators welcome your questions, so feel free to inquire about their business history, financial situation and personnel.
Can I service the Sentricon stations myself?
No. If you have a concern, call your Authorized Operator, and ask him or her to come out and assess the situation.
What should I do if a Sentricon station cap is broken or missing?
Call your Authorized Operator, who will be happy to replace it.
How can I get information about the Always Active™ product?
A Sentricon® System Authorized Operator can give you all the information you need about specific advantages of the Always Active™ product. Go to the Find-A-Pro page and locate the Authorized Operator closest to your home.
TERMITE BEHAVIOR AND SCIENCE
How often does a queen termite lay eggs?
A termite queen, at her best, is capable of laying an egg every second. She can live for several decades, however, and on average, she will produce an egg every fifteen seconds throughout her lifecycle.
What should I do if I see a termite swarm?
Swarming is a natural process that usually occurs in warm weather after a rain shower, as termite reproductives seek to start new colonies. A swarm is no reason to panic, but if you see termites swarming, or merely find a collection of their discarded wings, it is a good thing to tell your Authorized Operator. That way, he or she can make a more informed assessment of your property as the Sentricon® System does its job.
How do termites find the Sentricon stations?
Worker termites are constantly foraging for new food sources, even if there is an ample supply present. The Sentricon® System is designed so that the Sentricon stations intercept the random foraging patterns of the workers. They ingest the Recruit® bait they find in the Sentricon stations and carry it back to the colony.
ENVIRONMENT: KIDS, PETS, AND GARDENS
Is it okay for my kids and pets to play near the Sentricon stations?
Yes. Although EPA regulations do not permit any product registered by the agency to control pests to be called “non toxic”, it is good to know that the active ingredient, noviflumuron, controls termites by disrupting a molting process that occurs only in insects and closely-related organisms. Because the bait matrix is contained in a station, is used only in areas where termites are active, and is removed once the termites are eliminated, the potential for exposure to humans/pets is greatly reduced compared to other forms of termite control.
What will happen to my pets if they come in contact with the Sentricon stations?
It is, of course, a good idea to train pets not to dig up and destroy the Sentricon stations. But it is important to note that the quantity of active ingredient in each Sentricon station is so small that a dog could ingest approximately 200 of the Sentricon station inserts before becoming sick.
Is it okay to plant a vegetable and herb garden near the Sentricon stations?
Yes. There are several reasons for this. The active ingredient in the Sentricon stations does not leach or otherwise leave the bait device unless it is inside the termite. There will only be minute amounts of the active ingredient consumed by the termite. The active ingredient is not systemic and will not be taken up by the plants even if all the termites died right next to or inside the roots.
