DIY Termite bait systems will cost you more

DIY Termite Bait Systems: Why They Can Cost You More

DIY termite bait systems have been around for the past decade, but recently online shopping for DIY termite treatments has been costing homeowners thousands in bait and many homeowners are contacting professional termite control company’s for help.

DIY termite treatments will cost you more in the long run, and here is why:

Professional pest controllers use products developed by the largest chemical company’s in the world, these company’s put millions of dollars into development and design into their termite baits or bait system formulas. Before a termite product can be distributed for professional use the product must be trialed in Australia on different species of termites for the effectiveness.

This ensures fast termite colony elimination will be achieved and termite control of the colony will be achieved. Licenced professionals are then trained by the manufacturer on how best to use the product in every situation. All homes are different and some suit termite bait systems and some do not.

DIY termite baits usually contain the same active ingredient as professional products; however, these products are produced in china or a cheap manufacturer factory overseas.

Why DIY Termite Baits May Not Be Effective

Online sellers often claim, “Our products are the same as for professionals.” But just check the refund policy on some of these DIY termite treatment websites. You’ll see phrases like, “100% Money-back guarantee—only if you return the product unused in its original packaging.” If the product doesn’t work or the termites don’t feed on the bait, there are no refunds or professional help. Termite control is a serious skill and should not be attempted by homeowners.

5 Reasons Why DIY Termite Baits Are Costing Homeowners More

DIY termite bait systems may seem like a cost-effective solution, but they often lead to more expenses and frustration. Here are 5 reasons why DIY termite baits are costing homeowners more:

1. Homeowners Don’t Know What Type of Termites They’re Dealing With
Many homeowners think all termites are the same. In reality, there are over 300 types of termites in Australia, and each responds differently to bait. Some won’t be affected by DIY termite traps, and others may take months to show results. This can cost you more in the long run.

2. Quality of DIY Termite Bait
While DIY termite bait systems often contain the same active ingredient as professional systems, they usually contain a lower dose or generic product made overseas. Termites have been known to feed on these weak baits for months before being affected.

3. Homeowners Struggle to Get Termites to Feed on the Bait
More often than not, homeowners are unable to get termites to feed on the bait, leading to months of failed attempts before they call for professional help.

4. No Refunds on DIY Termite Baits
Check the websites’ refund policies before buying DIY termite bait traps online. In most cases, the only way to get a refund is if the product is unused and unopened.

5. Homeowners Lack the Skill to Bait Termites Properly
Believe it or not, baiting termites in the right areas takes skill. Knowing the type of termite that’s attacking a home, where the entry points are, and the correct baiting method is crucial. Incorrect baiting can even cause the colony to break off from the area, trapping termites inside the home.

DIY Termite Baiting System Horror Stories

At Pest-Ex we get calls daily from clients with termites in their home, we have been in the termite control business for 12 years and seen just about everything when it comes to DIY termite control, but here is some recent stories from our recent termite clients.

Client 1 (Robina Gold Coast Qld)

Recently we had a call from a client who had had termites in the home for 3 months, he purchased a DIY termite bait kit and had been attempting to get the termites to feed for months, over 3 months he spent over $1000 on termite bait that wasn’t working, the termites weren’t feeding on the bait and he was advised to keep buying more bait online.

He called us after 3 months of termites feeding on his home instead of the DIY termite bait, upon the site visit we realized the type of termites in his home were “Coptotermes frenchi” a very difficult termite to bait. These termites usually prefer the bait either dryer or wetter depending on the type of year. We were able to install specific baits internally to the home containing 3X different baiting matrix’s, we returned 14 days later and it was clear they were feeding on 1 of the baits over the other 2, the choice for us was then clear on what bait matrix this termite colony preferred and to use and refill the baits using this colony’s preferred termite bait.

We installed a perimeter in ground termite baiting system to protect the home from termite colony’s, from now on termites in ground would feed on the termite cartridges in the soil allowing the elimination process of the colony to occur through feeding on the bait in the ground instead of in the home.

This client was happy with what we had achieved but obviously unhappy the termites had been eating his home for 3 months while he attempted DIY attempts, not to mention the money he lost..

Client 2 (Camp Hill Brisbane Qld)

This client called us and said he has a termite problem in his gardens and the walls of his garage, he had purchased a DIY termite baiting system online and said the termites have been actually feeding on the bait, but they had been feeding for 9 months!! He was constantly buying more and more termite bait online and the amount he had spent on the online bait was over $2000.

We arrived at the property for a free site visit and could clearly see this client had a bad termite problem, the termites were (Schedorhinotermes-spp) a very aggressive feeder,

The DIY termite bait hadn’t affected the colony whatsoever as the termites were eating 2kg of the DIY bait every 4 weeks and not being affected, Within minutes of being at the property we had found another area of the garage that the termites were feeding on, we immediately were able to install one of our proper termite above-ground stations to the wall and commence instant termite feeding, upon feeding on the termite bait we had installed we had achieved complete colony elimination in 8 weeks.

Personally I believe this DIY bait may have eventually eliminated this colony, however, it was just taking far to long to do what it meant to, again the active ingredients in DIY termite treatment products may be the same active ingredients as the professional ones just at much weaker doses and more generic of an ingredient.

5 Things You Must Know Before Buying Termite Products Online

• Do you know what type of termites are in your garden or in your home? Will they respond well to baiting?
• Is your home best suited to a termite baiting system? Some homes are more suited to a termite barrier or termite reticulation system?
• Does it come with a warranty or a guarantee? I can tell you this and it is a no
• Depending on the time of year will depend on how long the termites feed for, in 100% of our experiences with homeowners buying online they all had to purchase more and more online costing them the same as a professional termite control program
• It’s your home is it really worth it…

Termite baiting systems have proved to be 100% successful in eliminating termite colonies from a home or garden. Pest-Ex have been using termite baiting systems for over 12 years, we’ve seen the good ones and the bad, we have real-life experiences on all types of infestations and completed successful treatments even when other attempts had failed.

If you’re considering buying termite products online, do the math and the research on what you’re dealing with, is it worth the risk or will it cost you more than getting it done right?

DIY Termite Trap Problems

While DIY termite traps can seem like an easy solution, they often come with significant challenges. One of the biggest problems is the difficulty in getting termites to feed on the bait. Different termite species may not respond to the same types of bait, and some may take months before showing any results. Additionally, improper placement of the bait is another issue—homeowners often struggle to identify the best locations for placing bait, which can lead to ineffective treatments and wasted time and money. The slow response time is a significant concern as DIY termite bait systems may not eliminate the colony fast enough, leaving the home vulnerable to further damage.

Another major problem with DIY termite bait traps is the lack of proper monitoring and maintenance. Over time, the bait will lose its effectiveness, and without consistent checks, termites may continue to damage your home. Most homeowners aren’t aware of the ongoing monitoring required to keep these systems functioning properly. Unlike DIY termite bait traps, professional pest control services offer regular monitoring, adjusting baiting systems as needed to ensure the termites are completely eliminated. These trained experts can quickly identify the type of termites present and apply the most effective treatment, saving homeowners from the frustration of prolonged infestations and costly DIY failures.

Why Choose Professional Termite Control Over DIY Solutions

DIY termite bait systems may seem like a cost-effective solution, but they often end up costing more in the long run. While DIY products may contain the same active ingredients as professional treatments, they are usually weaker and less effective. This means termites may not respond to the bait, or it could take months to see any results, leaving your home vulnerable to further damage.

On the other hand, professional termite control services use high-quality, tested products designed to eliminate termite colonies quickly. Trained technicians are equipped with the knowledge and experience to apply treatments effectively, ensuring the right solution for your home’s unique needs. This leads to faster, long-term protection.

While DIY termite traps are less expensive upfront, the lack of expertise and proper monitoring means homeowners often spend more on ineffective solutions. In contrast, professional services offer warranties, continuous monitoring, and guaranteed results, providing peace of mind that your home is fully protected from termites.

Here are 4 Reasons You need to call Pest-Ex

• We offer an upfront termite assessment and recommendation FREE we will recommend the correct termite management system for your home whether it is a termite bait system, termite barrier, or termite reticulation system.
• We guarantee colony elimination
• We’re not salesmen and do not try a hard sell like other company’s, we will give you the right advice first and let you decide on the best treatment plan you’re most comfortable with.
• We’re here to help, every home is different, the soil, the build type, the type of termites you may have, and the construction type of the homes slab/foundations, it’s important to get it right.

Feel free to reach out if you’re concerned about your termite situation, if you have attempted DIY treatment and it has failed we can help, If you would like a free estimate on site we are happy to help.

Contact us by phone or email admin@pest-ex.com.au to book your free site visit