Termite baiting systems across the Gold Coast.

In-ground vs above-ground stations.

In-ground stations are the default — small plastic housings (about the size of a coffee mug) sunk into the soil around the property perimeter at ~3m spacing, with a flush-fit lid. Termites tunnel up to the cellulose bait inside.

Above-ground stations are used when active termite mud-tunnels are already present in the house structure — we attach the station directly over the live tunnel to intercept the existing foraging path.

The three major systems we install.

• Sentricon Always Active (Dow AgroSciences): The most common premium system. Hexaflumuron / noviflumuron as the insect-growth regulator. Bait remains active continuously (no re-baiting cycle). 12-monthly station check. Best long-term value.
• Exterra (Ensystex): Requeen cellulose with imidacloprid kicker. 3-monthly station checks during active phase, then 6-monthly. Slightly cheaper install but more inspection visits.
• Trelona ATBS (BASF): Novaluron-based bait. 6-monthly station check. Mid-priced.

Why the colony dies.

All three bait types use insect-growth regulators (IGR) — chemicals that prevent termites from moulting from one life stage to the next. Termites moult roughly monthly. The bait worker eats the cellulose, returns to the colony, shares it through trophallaxis (mouth-to-mouth + faecal-to-mouth food transfer). Within 60–120 days, the worker caste fails to moult and dies. The colony — especially the queen, who depends on the workers for food — starves and collapses.

Install + monitoring lifecycle.

1. Site assessment + design. Walk perimeter, identify station locations (typically 8–16 stations on a residential property). Note garden beds, fence lines, tree positions.
2. Station install. Auger-bore holes at 3m intervals around perimeter, drop stations in, lid flush with paving / lawn / mulch. Half-day install.
3. Initial monitoring. 30-day check to confirm stations are stable and termites have begun foraging.
4. Active monitoring. 3-12 monthly depending on system. Each station inspected for termite activity, bait replenished if consumed, fresh cellulose added.
5. Ongoing. Indefinite. As long as system is monitored, colony pressure is held off the house.

Pricing.

• Standard residential (8-12 stations): $1,800–$2,800 install + $300–$500/yr monitoring (Sentricon).
• Larger property (12-20 stations): $2,500–$3,800 install + $400–$650/yr.
• Acreage (20-40+ stations): $4,500–$8,000 install + $700–$1,400/yr.
• Combined chemical + baiting (high-risk properties): premium ~30% above either alone.

When baiting is the right answer.

• Established gardens you don’t want disturbed (no trenching required)
• Granite or rocky soil where chemical trenching is impractical
• High bushland-interface pressure where chemical perimeter alone won’t hold the line
• Active large infestation needing colony-elimination, not just deterrence
• Eco-conscious clients (chemical only inside locked stations — minimal environmental footprint)
• Properties with pets that dig (bait stations inaccessible from above; pets safe)