The Always Active Sentricon System: Termite Protection 201

Last time, in Termite Protection 101, we discussed two well-known, reliable options for termite treatments.  Today, however, I want to present something that is exciting in the pest control industry because it’s ground-breaking and new.  If you read the last post, you may have noticed that I mentioned a “regular Sentricon System.”  Now, it’s time to tell you about the newest type of Sentricon protection called Always Active® from Dow AgroSciences.  Let’s go over the differences between a regular system and an Always Active System.

• In a regular Sentricon System, the stations are pre-baited with wood to intercept the termites before they reach the house.  The Always Active System gets its name because it is baited with the product that eliminates the termite colonies all the time.  This is possible because Dow AgroSciences has developed denser, more long-lasting bait that can endure long periods underground with no problem.
• Perhaps you were wondering how long it can be underground?  The answer is at least a full year.  A traditional Sentricon System is monitored every three months, but an Always Active System requires just one yearly visit.  Our technician monitors the stations and inspects the house all in one annual appointment.

If you’re also wondering which features are the same, I can tell you those, too.

• The Always Active System is still made by the same people who won the Green Chemistry Award with the first Sentricon System.  All Sentricon Systems are well-respected because they eliminate the need for hundreds of gallons of products to be put around the home.  Bait is only removed from the locked stations when termites eat it or take it to the colony.  Always Active works with the same strategy in mind.  The bait is designed to affect the termite growth cycle and not to affect other living things around it.
• Something else that remains the same is the warranty.  Both Sentricon Systems come with a damage repair warranty, meaning the repairs are on us if the termites get past our defenses.
• The cost of the Always Active System remains very comparable to the standard system.  It may cost slightly more to install because more product is used up front, but the annual renewal fees run in the same price range of $280-$380.

Is the Always Active Sentricon System for everyone?  No, it’s not necessarily.  Some people like to have that quarterly check-up to hear from their technician that everything is all right.  The traditional Sentricon System is a fabulous product and is not in any way outdated or declining.  But, there are some people who could really benefit from a yearly service.  If you have dogs that need to be put up any time a technician is around, Always Active could be for you.  That would save you four days every year of rearranging your schedule to get the dogs put away.  People who live in gated areas often appreciate the convenience of a single service so they don’t have to leave their property open multiple times a year.  Rental property owners might feel the same way.  There are any number of small, personalized scheduling issues that could make this system the right choice, and the presence of bait 365 days a year makes the upgraded system a popular change, even if scheduling isn’t a problem.

We have discovered that people have a lot of questions about this new treatment option, and we are happy to discuss those at whatever length is needed.  Please leave me a comment or contact us at 865.584.8549 if you want the scoop on Always Active.  You can also set up an inspection on our websiteif you’d like to hear more about coverage options.

Alternatives to Bug Bombs

We hope that everyone is staying warm and safe in the cold weather!  Unfortunately, the pests are considering the same concerns (because if they’re already inside, they’re only as cold as you are).

Recently, we’ve been getting calls from frantic homeowners who have major roach problems.  Roaches are the sort of pests that can get out of control pretty quickly.  They breed fast, and, being nocturnal, they tend to stay out of sight.  By the time homeowners see the roaches, they could already have a serious issue.

Sometime, we’ll do a full post on roaches, but today I want to talk about the use of foggers against such tough pests.  Some recent callers were extremely frustrated because they’d spent time and money on foggers or “bug bombs,” but the devices just hadn’t solved the problem.  In addition, the time wasted allowed the roaches to get a stronger foothold in the house.  So, let’s debunk the myth of the all-powerful bug bomb and look for some better alternatives.

Fogging for pests is outdated.  Professionals (including Russell’s Pest Control technicians) almost never fog, and they would only do so in extreme need.  Foggers may give homeowners a good feeling because they’ll see lots of dead bugs right away.  Unfortunately, the healthy, smart roaches and the eggs weren’t out in the open near the foggers.  They were in the walls, behind the cabinets, under the refrigerator, etc.  Most roaches stay tucked away in hiding places that fog will never reach.  If an infestation is completely out of control, a professional may fog to knock down the adult pest population quickly, but they’ll always follow up with more effective methods.

The best way to tackle persistent pests like roaches is with a two-fold attack.  One part includes a crack-and-crevice treatment, where product is applied into the small cracks that the bugs use for home-base.  The second part involves carefully leaving baits in well-hidden areas so that the roaches will encounter them.

These are some steps that you should consider if you’re trying to take care of a roach problem:

1.      Start by purchasing some glue boards and leaving them in those out-of-the-way places like in the cabinet under the sink.  This is an inexpensive way to determine if you really have a roach problem and, if so, where it is worst.  Always have the glue boards touching a wall since pests prefer to hang close to cover.

2.      If you have a problem and decide to treat for yourself, plan out how you want to treat.  Remember that many of the sprays you can buy over the counter are repellents, meaning they drive pests away from the area.  If you are using a repellent, don’t use baits in the same area.  You’ll contaminate the bait and make it undesirable for the roaches.  Read the labels of the products you buy to determine how to use them appropriately.  In general, it’s best not to spray around any bait that you use.

3.      Skip the bug bombs.  They won’t help much anyway, and they are very easy to misuse (a recent news article in another southern state indicated an apartment-dweller forced his neighbors to retreat to the ER after the fumes from his bug bomb leaked into their home).

4.      Ask for help before the problem gets out of hand.  If your over-the-counter products aren’t working, don’t wait until you’re overrun to get professional help.  Doing so will only cost you more in the long run because it will take longer to eliminate the problem.  Most exterminators (including Russell’s) offer free inspections and can give you some good advice and help if you feel that you’re in over your head.  If you do think you need some help, may I suggest a reliable pest control company?

Why Pest Professionals Use Integrated Pest Management

You may have noticed that the running theme through our blog posts is the idea of using building maintenance as a tool to control pests.  This recommendation is part of the service system called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, that is adopted by the most responsible pest professionals.  We have discovered that suggestions based on the IPM method are sometimes confusing or frustrating for customers, so we thought we should review what IPM is and why we use it.

Any technician who treats for pests must be certified by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.  The certification process begins with studying detailed books about pests and pest control, and one of the first topics covered is IPM.  This training teaches technicians to pursue long-lasting solutions through structure modification instead of just relying on pesticides.  IPM is supposed to be foundational in our industry, but too many companies ignore it and try to take what they see as an easier way out. 

For instance, let’s say a customer has an issue with springtails, which are tiny black bugs that move in droves and create serious frustration.  An exterminator could begin by saturating the area with products in the hope that the high-intensity treatment might eliminate the springtails.  However, a company committed to IPM would not do that.  We would first inspect the area and look for conditions around the building that support the pests.  Springtails (like many pests) are attracted to water, and an infestation almost always indicates a leak somewhere.  If the technician and/or owners can inspect and find the leak, the customers are the ones who benefit.  First, they will have to pay for fewer pest control treatments because the springtails will not be so attracted to the building (that also means there will be fewer pest control products used in the building).  Second, they will hopefully be able watch their water bills go down. Third, they will avoid the other maintenance issues that a water leak usually brings.  And last but not least, they will be less likely to experience a re-infestation of springtails or other water-loving pests.  Suddenly, the owner’s wallet feels much heavier!

So, if your pest control technician ever asks you do some maintenance around your home to aid with their treatments, don’t be offended!  They’re not trying to get you to solve the problem yourself or blame you for the issue.  Instead, remember IPM and that the goal in the long run is to protect your home, provide you long-term solutions, and save you money.