For baiting to be effective, proper placement and techniques are a must. Put baits as close to the nest as possible. A bait just 50 cm further away from a nest can reduce the amount of bait eaten by half. If the same amount of bait is used to cover two areas, the area with the greater number of traps will have most bait eaten. One should avoid spraying insecticides in baited areas, as that can cause the bait to become contaminated, thus the roaches would likely avoid consuming it. Baits, gels and Insect Growth Regulators can be useful in many cases.
It is very helpful to use rat size bait stations to encourage feeding when placing out poison rat bait. Rat bait stations will also protect children and non-targeted animals from the poison in the rat baits. In a rat baiting program, it is essential to eliminate as many competing food sources that serve as the rats' natural food sources. With fewer food sources, it is easier to introduce the new bait to the population.
Termite baits consist of cellulose (a structural component of wood), combined with a slow-acting insecticide which disrupts the normal growth process in termites. Within weeks of ingesting the bait, termites die while attempting to molt. The delayed action is important; if the bait killed quickly, sick or dead termites might accumulate near stations, increasing the chance of avoidance by other termites in the area. Delayed-action also enhances transmission of the lethal ingredient to nest mates, including those that never fed on the bait. Entire colonies can be eliminated in this manner, although colony elimination is not always necessary to afford structural protection. Various baiting systems are being used by pest control firms, including Sentricon®, Exterra®, Xterm and Trelona Advance®. While there are some differences between the systems, all can be effective in controlling termites.