Pest Assassins Pest Control and Termite Specialist

Termite Specialist

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Baiting for Cockroach

Roach bait is a modern pest control used for the extermination of cockroaches at indoor locations. The effectiveness of this method of pest control exploits the cannibalistic, coprophagic, and emetophagic tendencies of cockroaches.   Cockroaches tend to live in groups with fellow cockroaches in the darkest shelters available. They instinctively choose darker over more illuminated areas. Cockroaches will settle in if a place is dimly lit and well populated, and will use their antennae to feel whether other cockroaches are present. The best way to determine the extent of cockroach activity, and hiding places is to look for them at night. Cockroaches are nocturnal, the few that you see by day were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation.  You will be looking for their excrement droppings (looks like black pepper) Roaches prefer crowds and darkness. Simple minded, they use just two pieces of information to decide where to go. They go where the most cockroaches are, and where it is darkest. They act as a group, and they tend to stay together.


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.

Baiting for Rats

Rodenticides are commonly referred as rat and mice baits. These rodent baits are pesticides that kill rodents (mice and rats). There are several types and forms of poison rat baits on the market. Single feed rodent baits only require one dosage for a lethal dosage as opposed to a multiple feed bait that requires several feedings to reach a toxic level.

Rodent baits are categorized into two categories: anticoagulants and non-anticoagulants. Some rodenticides disrupt the ability of the rodent's blood to clot (anticoagulants), and some interfere with the rat's nervous system or interfere with calcium levels in their blood (non-anticoagulant).

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.

Baiting for Termites

Termite baiting employs a very different approach. With baits, small amounts of product are deployed like edible ‘smart missiles’ to knock out populations of termites foraging in and around the home. Termites consume the bait and share it with their nest mates, resulting in a gradual decline in termite numbers. A comprehensive baiting program then seeks to maintain a termite-free condition on the customer's property through ongoing inspection, monitoring and re-baiting as needed.

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.