Termite Control: Sentricon vs. Termidor

Written by nickel - 11 Comments

We live deep down in termite country, and it’s time to think about extending our termite contract. Our house had a clean bill of health when we bought it earlier this summer, but the initial five year termite contract is almost up. Thus, we’re currently considering our options. Right now we have two main alternatives… The Sentricon System and Termidor.

The Sentricon System consists of a series of bait stations surrounding the perimeter of your house. The pest control company periodically monitors these stations and, once they detect termite activity, they replace the wood bait with a poison that is supposed to wipe out the colony. Sentricon is probably the most ‘green’ solution out there, but its effectiveness has also been brought into question by a number of so-called experts.

Termidor, on the other hand, is a chemical termiticide that provides a soil barrier surrounding your house. From what I’ve read, it’s far more effective than Sentricon, and not particularly dangerous to people. Termidor costs about $50 more than Sentricon up front, but the annual contract, which covers monitoring, periodic reapplication (if necessary) and repair of any termite damage is about $150 less for Termidor as compared to Sentricon.

We had Sentricon at our previous house, and we never had any termite activity (either in the house or in the bait stations). But that house was built on a slab foundation, and it was much more difficult to apply a chemical barrier in that situation — in fact, some companies refused to even treat slab houses. Our new house is on a crawl space, so you can readily access the foundation (inside and out). Thus, chemical treatment is a more viable alternative.

Does anyone out there have real life experience with either of these? Any recommendations? And please don’t say to just go without — where we live that’s just not an option.

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Published on August 24th, 2006 - 11 Comments
Filed under: House & Home
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Comments (scroll down to add your own):

You spend $50 up-front to save $150/yr. How is there any doubt remaining that that’s going to be the better deal?
Comment by Matt — Aug 25th 2006 @ 5:47 am
Matt, I’m well aware of the math. However, cheaper is only a better deal if the product isn’t inferior. In this case, I’m thinking that cheaper (Termidor) is actually better, but I have no firsthand experience with it.

Comment by nickel — Aug 25th 2006 @ 7:26 am
We have been in the termite control business for 33 years and from experience, whatever treatment you choose is not as important as the company you choose. We do have a preference based on our long experience with all methods of termite control. We can offer Sentricon and Termidor as well as all other methods. The reason that the renewal on Sentricon is more is because of the service, not because of the product. When you purchase an automobile, you not only pick what you can afford but consider the value and the support you will get with a manufacturer. You should do the same with your home protection as it will appreciate rather than depreciate as automobiles do.
Comment by Jan — Sep 1st 2006 @ 4:52 pm
I work for at pest control company in GA where termites are very active and have seen many homes damaged by termites, powder post beetles, and fungus. Our company has been in business for over 34 years and licensed in SC, FL, GA , and TN. Any pest control salesperson who is honestr with you will tell you the best termite treatment is Termidor by far. While the Sentricon system is excellent, the number of call backs for termite activity in the home is much higher on the Sentricon. This spring, in my territory alone which consists of 6 counties, I had 12 call backs on Sentricon and absolutely NO callbacks resulting in live termite activity. The Sentricon customers that had live termite damage was on 4 of the call backs and the repairs were made much to our customers surprise. The ratio of damage claims vs the number of sentricon customers is extremely low. The key to any treatment is the warranty and the species of termite covered under the warranty. Some warranties have a low limit on the damage covered. Also, warranties may exclude formosan termites, not transfer to any subsequent owner, and the renewal fee can increase at any time and by any percentage. Cheaper companies are not always better, so read your contract before signing. Termidor IS tested to last at least ten years, but I highly recommend keeping the warrantee, because as we say in this business “there is no silver bullet”

Hope this helps,

Jason
Comment by jason — Jun 12th 2007 @ 10:20 pm
What I meant to say was that I never had a call back for termites at any home treated with termidor.

JASON
Comment by jason — Jun 12th 2007 @ 10:26 pm
I have been in the exterminating business for at least a decade (total). My personal technique is simple - sentricon to eliminate the colony(s) from your property AND/ drill/liquid treat attached slabs, dirtfilled porches, or critical areas “JUST IN CASE!” ;-). I am a “keyman” for Terminix which means i can sell and do my own jobs and this is how i do it… Termidor is expensive - but it does not cost that much to treat ‘critical areas’.. It’s a small bit of extra care that the company really never misses in chemical costs..
Comment by Trey Canipe — Feb 17th 2008 @ 10:09 am
Termidor is also good for controlling ants on the exterior of the house too. I use it on every ant treatment and I use phantom on the exterior as well as drione dust (sparingly) It will kill the colonies outside, usually for the season. Unlike Termites, Ants spend alot of time on the surface and can travel long distances, so it doesn’t last as long for Ants. Termites are subterranean, and Termidor destroys the Termite colony. there is nothing better than Termidor for Termites! Period
Comment by Bob Bowman — Mar 24th 2008 @ 10:50 pm
I’m curious. How long does the Termidor treatment last in the ground? Every chemical has some sort of breakdown period. What is this one’s? 5 yrs? 7 yrs? 10 yrs? Wouldn’t you at some point have to pay to re-treat the entire house again? And how long do contracts typically last for these treatments?

Thanks.
Comment by David — May 5th 2008 @ 4:04 pm
I have recently discovered we have termites in our 108 year old farm house. The crawlspace gives access to most of the underside of the house but there are some areas that would have to be sprayed from a distance of 20 ft away or more. Although it is possible to get all of the ground/dirt under the house. I am a small person (5′8″ 148 lbs) and was able to get into these small areas but I doubt many other people could. Would Termidor be a viable method since there is the possibility of incomplete interior coverage. Or would Sentricon be a better solution?
Comment by Adam — Jun 5th 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I own a family-owned pest management firm in Kansas City and have personally been doing pest management since June of 1969. We offer Sentricon, Termidor and many other products. I would say those two lead their competitors (Sentricon for bait and Termidor for liquid barriars). The effectiveness is about the same - about 99% effective. The initial cost is around the same too - about $1,000. The annual renewal is usually a litle higher for Sentricon because you are making 4 service trips instead of one, so there is more service involved. Sentricon is much more environmentally friendly. No liquid pesticide at all. I like working with it better because of that.
Comment by Jay Gunter Besheer — Jul 22nd 2008 @ 3:06 pm
I have been involved with the termite and pest treatment industy for the past 12 years,as well as the construction and re-construction aspect for the past 15 years. The last 5 of which have been spent as a field supervisor-3 with a very successful standard and alternative method company which sold to-the largest family owned termite and pest company on the west coast and after a 2 year run there decided to open my own company. The most important aspect of purchasing a termite program for your home is a clear understanding of the product as well as as proven field performance of it’s applicator. As an experienced field technician with many years in the field “Treating the Problem” and “Making the Customer Happy”. Educate yourself and get advice, from someone who used to have a termite problem or someone with a renewed in good standing licence, for your own peace of mind.
Comment by K. Smith — Jul 24th 2008 @ 4:17 am