Exterra is a relatively new form of termite control that has been found effective in controlling subterranean termites (like Coptotermes spp). Up until now, the most commonly used form of termite control was to apply chemicals directly to the soil to form a barrier. This process involves spraying large amounts of potentially hazardous chemicals around your home, yourself, and your family. The Exterra termite baiting system offers an alternative method that eliminates the need for chemical sprays, while eliminating the source of termite infestations – the colony. The process is formally known as “The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System”.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, Exterra is a patented termite baiting system from Australia, with similarities to Sentricon. Both seem highly effective in stopping subterranean termites from causing serious damage to buildings. Other types of termites (apart from subterranean termites) do not respond to termite baiting systems. That said, you really only have to worry about facing the threat of subterranean termites in the majority of cases, anyway.

How Exterra works

The first step in this system is to have an inspection of the home completed by a licensed and authorized member of the Exterra termite management team. This professional will analyze the type of infestation, make recommendations as to what can be done to modify the home to prevent future infestations, and then determine where to place the Exterra Termite Monitoring Stations.

Placement of termite monitoring/baiting stations

Once this step has been completed, it is then time to place the monitoring stations around the home. These stations are checked on a regular basis, and if termites are found, special above ground stations are installed to deal with attacks right when they occur.

When the above-ground stations are installed, a patented “Focus Termite Attractant” is added.  This is done to create Exterra’s “Termite Interception Zone” surrounding the home so that the termites are lured into the stations, and not into your home. The Focus Termite Attractant releases a tiny amount of carbon dioxide which acts as a signal to lure termites to the bait station.

Bait application

From this point, the termites can be easily seen in the interception stations without the need to disturb their activity.  This key element is critical as it ensures they will also not be disturbed when applying the bait. The bait, Requiem Termite Bait, provides prompt and dependable results. It is designed to be quite tasty for the termites, and they seem to actually prefer to eat this material over wood. The advantage of Exterra is being relatively environmentally friendly – The bait has a low toxicity level to people, pets, and the environment. Well, relatively speaking of course – all insecticide is toxic in one way or the other.

As the termites continue to feed on the Requiem Termite Bait, they also bring it back to the colony where it is distributed via trophallaxis, and slowly consumed by the entire colony. Because the bait is somewhat slow acting, the termites gradually die and after a while, the entire colony is eliminated.

Continuous monitoring required

Once the infestation is under control, new interceptor stations are placed around the home for continued monitoring. Because there is always a threat of a new infestation (especially if you live in an area where termites are abundant), this will help to identify and head the termites off before they become a major problem.