A question? Our FAQ section lists the most frequently asked questions about termites and the NOVATERM® bait station system.
Yes, but only a small proportion of them can fly. Termites are divided into distinct castes because each caste plays a particular role within the colony:
Only the primary reproducers have the ability to fly. They are the only ones in the colony that are able to reproduce, as they are sexually developed. During this reproduction or “swarming” period, winged termites leave their nests and fly away. This flight is called “nuptial flight”, and is used to find a sexual partner. Once mated, the winged termites descend, shed their wings and begin the process of creating a new colony. So some termites can fly, but only for a very short time (a few minutes).
No. Termites and ants are not members of the same insect family, although their organized, methodical workings are similar. Confusion often arises from the resemblance between winged termites and winged ants, which are very similar in appearance.
No. Termites feed on cellulose, which is present in wood, but not only in wood. All wood derivatives also contain them, such as cardboard and paper. Termites can also attack books, wallpaper, packaging, paintings and furniture. To reach their food source, termites degrade other materials that they do not feed on, such as concrete, plaster and electrical connections.
No. Termites will not consume the cellulose contained in treated wood. However, if the rest of the house has not received termite treatment, they will use it as a “bridge” to reach the untreated wood.
Treatment by a pest control professional. You can choose between two types of treatment. Some treatments are suitable if you are located in a high-risk area but you have no infestation (before or after construction). Other treatments are suitable if the presence of termites in your home is confirmed. Depending on the type of treatment to be applied, there are various solutions available:
The pest control professional will come to your home to assess the state of the infestation and choose the most effective treatment for your situation.
Subterranean termites. By far the most feared, subterranean termites build galleries in the ground and work their way up to reach all sources of cellulose (wood and wood by-products) present in house structures. Found all over the world, this type of termite poses a considerable threat to homes. They have the particularity of progressing underground and invisibly, which means they will be detected late, often when the damage is already extensive.
One egg every two seconds. Depending on the species, the termite queen has a life expectancy of between 15 and 40 years. This means she can lay several million eggs in her lifetime. This is her role in the colony, and she is sheltered with her king in a lodge in the termite mound. A lodge she will never leave, as she is unable to move. The worker termites will feed her and the soldier termites will defend her.
No. One of the main differences is that damp often causes mold to form on the wood. This mold can turn into dry rot or soft rot, leading to the formation of several types of fungi. Damage caused by termites is much more discreet: hollow-sounding wood, appearance of mud tubes, weakening of the wood.
It should be noted that damp is a factor in the development of termites. You can sometimes see that the wood is attacked by both rot and termites. In all cases, you need to call in a professional for an accurate inspection.
No. The termite control bait stations system will be installed by an NOVATERM® authorized operator. They will have access to the application and can be alerted when termites are detected. They can then intervene quickly to observe and reload the bait station if necessary.
No. NOVATERM® outdoor termite control bait stations are buried in the ground and locked with a special key. A child could not open the bait station and come into contact with the active ingredient. The indoor termite bait stations are also secured against accidental opening and spillage of the formulation, so a child can neither open it nor come into contact with the product in any way.
No. NOVATERM® stations are not a hazard for dogs, as they have been designed to guarantee the safety of home occupants, including pets such as dogs and cats. Outdoor termite control bait stations are buried in the ground and secured by a weatherproof, trample-resistant body and cover. The active ingredient, in the form of pellets, is positioned inside the outdoor termite control bait station, in a perforated cartridge. It is therefore highly unlikely that dogs will come into contact with the product.
Immediately after installation. The NOVATERM® termite control bait stations system is composed of plant fibers chosen for their high palatability. Positioned all around the house, NOVATERM® outdoor termite control bait stations will form a termite control fortress and protect your home from termite infestation.
It is hard to say how long it will take to eradicate the infestation, as it depends on the type of termites, the size of the colony and the time it takes for them to find the bait in the stations. However, as termites are constantly on the lookout for food, they will eventually find the bait in the stations. Baiting is the most effective way of eradicating the entire colony, since the active ingredient has a delayed effect. In other words, contaminated termites have time to infect other members of the colony, leading to its destruction.
Contact the pest control professional who installed it for you. If you notice that a lid is incorrectly closed or missing, contact your NOVATERM® specialist immediately. They will intervene to carry out an inspection and repair or replace the faulty bait station.
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