Termite Control: Sentricon vs. Termidor
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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Modified on September 10th, 2006 - 290 Comments
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290 Responses to “Termite Control: Sentricon vs. Termidor”
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June 19th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Thanks Tyler. Sorry, I left out the most important part of the message! He claimed that the dying termites (or dead termites?) would emit pheromones that would chase the colony next door. Is there any truth to this? This is despite using a non-repellant insecticide, don’t know which one.
June 20th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Keith,
I am certified in Termite Biology through Texas A&M, and have never heard of such a thing. The whole point of a non-repellant is to transfer the poison without the termites realizing what is going on… which leads me to believe that he is lying.
I would hesitate to use that company. They could be a good company with a misinformed salesman, but that just sounds to me like he is trying to pull a fast one on you.
I work for Orkin, and I think very highly of the company. We only use Termidor, we use flow meters, we foam termite infested walls, and we genuinly treat at a rate of 4 gallons per ten feet per foot of footer depth. Have you had Orkin out to give you a quote?
Double check with that guy about what termiticide he is using. Something smells fishy to me…
July 7th, 2011 at 7:25 am
Hi,
Ok a couple of months ago we thought we only had termites on the about 6 ft and beyond from the house. However last night we discovered termites in our basement, mind you I had two termite complete a termite check and told no termites inside the house. So now we will have to do treatment and was wondering if we went to Termindor for the outside would they also do additional treatment inside to kill the termites in the house, or is Termindor enough.
Thanks!
July 7th, 2011 at 10:21 am
Termidor is now labeled for exterior only. No treatment will be necessary in the inside.
July 11th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Well Bart it depends where the termites are. Termidor is labeled for indoor use if you’re drilling an interior expansion joint or foaming a termite infested wall. So, to answer your question Amanda, it all depends on where they have infested your home. Your best bet is to leave it up to a proffesional to determine the best possible treatment for your situation.
July 12th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I am very well aware. I have been treating termites since 1969.
July 12th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Hi,
Yes the local pest control company who are going with suggested Termindor for the exterior walls as the infestation appears to be coming from the exterior walls. No treatment will be needed inside the house.
Thanks,
Amanda
July 12th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Hi,
Thanks, the pest control company has already come out and accessed the damage. Termindor treatment only for the exterior walls, he didn’t recommend Sentricon as we have active termite activity.
July 20th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I’m a retired Pest ControlCompany Owner: Hands down Termidor is the only game in town for Sub- Termite if you want control.
Sentricon is not effective and a waist of money.
August 22nd, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Hi, I have recently discovered termites (Desert sub.) in my home. They are isolated in my upstairs master shower area. I discovered them by turning the light on one night and there were a couple hundred flying termites. Had no sign once so ever that I had an issue. The home had been treated previously, I was about 1 yr outside the warranty. Anyway, I have a new company working on it. My concern is that it has been 5 weeks and they are not completely gone, although dwindling in number dramatically. I have had a complete Termidor treatment, and they have done an interior dusting twice, including drilling in under my tub deck in the master and shooting the dust there. Do you think I could have an issue with the plumbing and is it providing moisture for them to live there? Or is it normal for the chemical to take some time to wipe out a whole colony? I keep getting told that they must go back to the soil and in that case they should be dying out??
October 20th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Argh!! Right now I am really frustrated and looking through numerous websites. I had the sentricon system installed in my house last October when we first found out we had termites. This system is expensive but heck if it was going to give us peace of mind it was worth it. Well last month we ecountered termites in our bathrooms. We call our pest control company and they install bait stations in our bathrooms. On Sunday I noticed what appeared to be little black mosquitos lying dead in my bathroom floor and one of my hallways. I sweeped them up only to notice that there were more coming out of my vents – gross!. Last night that I get home I had even more dead all over my house. Well turns out they’re full grown termites. I am at my wits end and don’t know what to do. My pest control company is supposed to go this weekend. My house is seven years old and was pre-treated before construction. Will I ever get rid of these pests?!!
November 1st, 2011 at 6:46 am
I have been using a Sentricon system for many years. My pest control company has just informed me that due to advances in technology, they will only need to inspect the stations two times per year, instead of four. I expressed joy that my annual fee would surely drop, only to find that this will not happen. I’d like to shop for a new Sentricon provider, but does Sentricon grant only one license to a city? I’m in Memphis and I don’t seem to find anyone who provides Sentricon other than my existing pest control company.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:03 am
Debbie- go to the Sentricon website (wwww.sentricon.com) It will show all the authorized operators. The reason that your renewal fee did not drop is that the new technology involves baiting every station. The bait is much more expensive than the wood that was in there before. Your home is now being protected year round with active bait. Your dealer’s labor cost will go down, but their cost to the manufacturer (Dow) will go up.
December 30th, 2011 at 7:12 am
We have been living in a house for 20 years that was built in 1955 on a concrete slab. I assume it had chlordane treatment that lasted for decades.
Yesterday, while having a parquet square in our wood flooring repaired, we found subterranean termites under that board and one more. A reputable investigator came out, spent a considerable time checking everywhere for evidence of termites in other places, and found none. He suggested a maintenance plan that involves Sentricon around the house at every eight feet and application of a termiticide through the concrete slab in the place where we found the termite activity (the floorboards are already removed and access to the concrete is immediate). This all sounds rather reasonable to me. Any comments?
December 30th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Sounds like a good plan to me. The liquid application will take care of the immediate problem, and the Sentricon will be a good long term solution to eliminating all the termite colonies surrounding your home.
December 30th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thanks. They came out this morning and did the Termidor SC treatment through the 4″ foundation slab and installed 31 Sentricon bait stations around the perimeter of the house.
December 31st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Sounds like you are in great shape! Termidor and Sentricon are both great, proven termiticides.
January 19th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
How can I as a home owner tell if the pest control company is realy using termidor or water down or counterfit when they come to aply. I got 5 estaments, all the in same price range and prety much the same area treatment procedure. I have narrowed my choice to 2, one is along time local area pest control , my second choice is a relative company young company aprox (5 years) both phone book adds have terimidor seal? what can I look for when they arive to treat smell, consistancy color?
March 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
I have a 8 X 10 shed in Arizona that has concrete around 2 sides. The other 2 sides are surrounded by gravel.
I purchased Termador and am wondering: Can I just treat the gravel areas and still kill the termites with Thermador? I don’t like having to drill holes in the concrete. Too much work for an old man.
So far I see no evidence of termites.
March 29th, 2012 at 10:02 am
I live in mass. and have had my property treated twice with Termador and still have termites. I have an estimate for more termador or sentricon. Curious as to what to do.
April 6th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I live in Pa. I have a log home. we have noticed the “swarmer” termites in a couple areas of the home (no more than 15 bugs) I had the terminex guy out today, and he recommended treating with termidor. the cost is for the house, and the 36×78′ garage. cost is 2600.00. my question is: if I dont need to treat the barns that are 100ft away, why do I need to treat the garage that is 10 ft awaY. I want to know if they treat the perimeter of the house, wont that take care of the termites if they are in the garage area too?
April 6th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
I have an annual termite inspection by Terminix. So far no problems. In 1986 my property was “treated” to prevent termite damage. Now, the Terminix rep is pushing for a treatment ( 26 yrs, etc. ). My questions for anyone who might be kind enough to respond:
1. Do I need a “pre-emptive” treatment or should I wait until termites are “discovered?”
2. If I go for a treatment now ( no termites ) which is better-Termidor (the liquid) or Sentricon ( the baits )?
3. If I wait until termites are found which treatment ( above) is best. Thanks, M
April 13th, 2012 at 8:21 am
I particularly appreciated the comments by Jim and Jay. Thank you! My house was treated with chlordane in the 80s but flying termites appeared this year which apparantly means there are workers present and trails in place so we have to treat.
I’m still on the fence between Termidor vs. Sentricon but I feel more educated having read these comments. I want effective but i’m also concerned with toxicity as we have a cat and little ones.
April 13th, 2012 at 8:36 am
My advice to Marty (I’m a homeowner not a professional) is to keep the annual inspection by Terminix but no treat until there are signs of termite presence…don’t wait until there is actual termite damage.
From the comments, it sounds like both Senticon and Termidor are very effective, it’s just a bit more up front for Termidor but more long term cost with Sentricon because someone has to come by more often to monitor the baits. Sentricon is more environmentally friendly.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I live in the heart of the south in Mississippi. Eastern subterranean termites are everywhere. My company has been around for over 50 years and we offer the bait stations and termidor. From years of field experience I can honestly say termidor is the best product. While it is still high its the best. Some companies will offer cheaper products such as talstar which is fine for conventional but not for slab. Termidor labeling now says you can get by by just treating the exterior walls for conventional but we still treat piers and the inside wall just to be safe. Find a long standing company that will stand behind their work and products. Just know that this expert almost always recommends termidor.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Marty, treating now before termites find your home and damage it is WAY cheaper than having to repair termite damage. Go with termidor, its the best option and it will save you money.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I have active termites in my Maryland Home.I live within 100′ of the water and also have a well 20′ from the house. I have had one company bid using termidor for $750 for treating about 225 linear ft around whole house with $100 for reinspect & warranaty. They do not sell bait system. Another company recommended Sentricon and est is $1282 with $400 a year to maintain. I am concerned about safety of the well. Should I be? And do these estimates sound typical for 2012. It is higher than any prices mentioned above. Only one message said termidor does not travel and turns to a solid. How long does that take. Is my wll water at risk?
April 21st, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Sharon, termidor bonds with the soil. Your well is safe.
May 2nd, 2012 at 12:24 am
I live in south Mississippi. I used to have Terminix but decided not to renew since all they did was inspect. Besides, I asked the rep about this insect inside my house that I thought could be termites, but he told me it wasn’t termites. This was probably 1 1/2 yrs ago. I didn’t see the insects anymore until a few days ago. So, I decided I needed a 2nd opinion. I called orkin. He told me it was termites and I should get treatment. I don’t know who to believe. I’m going to be safe than sorry, but I think I saw some damage downstairs that he didn’t see during the inspection. My question is is there a way I can tell how much damage is done without tearing down the house? The first appearance was down stairs, but a few days ago they were in a few rooms upstairs. I don’t want to be taken advantage of again. BTW, orkin is suppose to use termidor treatment. I asked if they would treat upstairs too, but he said no that downstairs and outside would be enough. What do you think?
May 2nd, 2012 at 12:25 am
I live in south Mississippi. I used to have Terminix but decided not to renew since all they did was inspect. Besides, I asked the rep about this insect inside my house that I thought could be termites, but he told me it wasn\\\’t termites. This was probably 1 1/2 yrs ago. I didn\\\’t see the insects anymore until a few days ago. So, I decided I needed a 2nd opinion. I called orkin. He told me it was termites and I should get treatment. I don\\\’t know who to believe. I\\\’m going to be safe than sorry, but I think I saw some damage downstairs that he didn\\\’t see during the inspection. My question is is there a way I can tell how much damage is done without tearing down the house? The first appearance was down stairs, but a few days ago they were in a few rooms upstairs. I don\\\’t want to be taken advantage of again. BTW, orkin is suppose to use termidor treatment. I asked if they would treat upstairs too, but he said no that downstairs and outside would be enough. What do you think?
May 6th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
My company has been around for 50 years and I am an authorized user of Sentricon as well as a current user of Termidor. BOTH methods work. I have no axe to grind when speaking to customer for one product or the other. There are pros and cons to both and it really is house by house. Sentricon is certainly the safer, less instrusive way to do it. Termidor is a great product but requires much more TLC when applying and if you have a an ill-informed applicator you will be VERY dissatisfied. I will say this- whoever you choose, make CERTAIN they have the ability to do both methods or you will be getting a VERY biased opinion. Companies that can do either, will give you the right suggestion for your home.
May 7th, 2012 at 10:13 am
I totally agree with Ben! Both methods are about 99.5% effective. Prices are comparable for the initial treatment/installation. The renewal fee is a little higher for Sentricon, but there are no holes drilled through the exterior stoops, patios + no liquid pesticides applied, so it is a case by case decision based on the preferences of the individual client.
May 8th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
How long does Termidor last? Terminix rep claimed it was good for 10-15 years. I don’t believe that considering the amount of rain that we get in the south during hurricane season. When should it be applied again?
May 19th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
My 94 year old father lives in FL in a termite infested home which was built on a slab. One pest control company is pushing the Sentricon bait system while the other is pushing “drill and inject” with Premise, which they claim is as effective as Termidor but less expensive.
Please help clear my confused state!!!!
May 21st, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I would go with either Sentricon or Termidor. Premise is a cheaper alternative that does not work as well.
May 31st, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hello everyone and thank you for your attention. I want to let you know that I have a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, a Master’s degree in entomology, and a Ph.D. in insect toxicology, entomology, and nematology. I also have 50 years experience as a pest control professional and I can say without hesitation or reservation that the particular brand of pest control product that my company sells is far superior to all other alternatives in every way, and I encourage you to pay no attention to distractions such as damage warranties or other reasonable measures of capability or confidence and simply trust my assurance that the product from which I stand to gain financially is the best one.
Also, I promise that the product I sell is the one I use on my own home and I am telling you honestly that I haven’t seen a bug within 100 miles of my pristine abode in 50 years thanks to a single application of my company’s awesome safe green 100% effective (not-guaranteed) product.
Thank you for your time and please remember that I am a completely disinterested party and I’m just trying to help you poor confused homeowners realize that the product my company sells is clearly (though neither provably nor guaranteed to be) superior to all others in every way.
Looking forward to your initial payment and monthly/quarterly/annual payments so we can continue to milk you and tell you to go pound sand when (not if) your house is destroyed by what we’ll claim is a special kind of bug that isn’t covered by our “warranty.”
All our best (profits), Love,
Every single one of your local pest control companies
June 1st, 2012 at 8:26 pm
I had Sentricon put in several years ago. I have had to replace trim around my garage door 3 times and now they have eaten a basement window frame. The termite trap was less than 2 feet from the damage. I have a feeling they were too lazy to replace the insert when needed.
No offer has ever been made to pay for the damage. The owner of the business always says it is dry rot or flying ants. Anything to get out of paying. You can clearly see it was termites.
Also they only show up a couple times during the year.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Anyone wishing to evaluate the relative effectiveness of Sentricon vs Termidor need not look any further than the statement, “Sentricon is certainly the greener solution”.
When it comes to pesticides, detergents, appliances, etc., I’ve come to equate “green” with “junk” as demonstrated by today’s “green” toilets that can’t manage to flush down a decent dump without clogging or today’s “green” washing machines that require specialized (i.e. expensive) detergents and still don’t clean nearly as well as those built just 10 years ago.
I’d say you better use Termidor while you can because its days are numbered; the whack-o’s will eventually succeed in outlawing it, too.
June 13th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Kirk,
Sentricon is not “Green” by definition. It is merely a more controlled treatment that is less intrusive and not nearly as environmentally hazardous. Hexaflumuron is the active ingredient which contains a toxicity to it.
June 13th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Ben- you are slighly mistaken on two counts.
1) Sentricon IS a green product. The Sentricon System is the only termite control product ever to earn the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, a top federal environmental honor. The award recognizes technical innovation incorporating environmentally responsible1 chemistry into its design, manufacture and use.
2) Novaflumuron is the active ingredient in the newest incarnation on Sentricon. Hexaflumuron is the active ingredient in the original generation of Sentricon.
Your input is appreciated, however, you facts are slightly off. I use Termidor and Altriset too, so I am not married to Sentricon. But I hate to see any of these products misconstrued by bad information.
June 15th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Our old floorboards started lifting so we decided to replace them. We were removing our old laminate floorboards so that the hardwood company could come to install the new ones and then we discovered to our surprise that there were all these live active termites underneath them. We bought some permetrin to spray them as we removed the rest. We called around a few pest companies the next day and were told that we had disturbed them too much. Some said bait system is the way to go, some said both, one gave us both option but said that due to the distubance its best we go with termidor. Can someone out there please help advise us with an unbiased opinion that would benefit us and not the pest company
June 18th, 2012 at 11:29 am
I think it is more important to go with a company that has a good reputation and you feel comfortable with. Termites work very slowly, so it doesn’t really matter which type of treatment you go with (Sentricon or Termidor). If you want a green treatment, you might consider spot treating the infested area with Altriset (a Dupont product), then installing Sentricon. I would stick with one of those three products though (Termidor, Sentricon, Altriset).The rest of the products out there are effective, just not as effective as those three. For more unbiased info, go to http://tiny.cc/9eu3fw
July 17th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Our Florida home which was a “new just built home” at the time, was treated in 2006 with Termidor. I got an email from the pest company in 2010 stating that “my current product” (termidor) is in it’s 4th year of a 5 year service cycle and due to expire. They proposed we go with the “Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System which features a lifespan that would shadow the life expectancy of our home for the life of the home. Was, is Termidor still effective now in 2012, and did this pest company sell me something I did not need?
July 31st, 2012 at 9:23 pm
@ Kim ,, Termidor lasts a solid 7 and up to 15 years . It’s the only product on the market that doesn’t re-emulsify (mix with water ). So once it dries in the soil it stays unless you shovel out the soil around your foundation . I have been in the pest business for over 26 years , I have used most every bait and liquid over the years . I’ve recently made the decision that my company no longer does anything but Termidor. Baits just don’t work as good as Termidor and I usually ( approximately 25%Of the time )end up doing a spot treatment with Termidor to save a claim .
August 1st, 2012 at 10:57 am
Rich- I agree with Jim that you will probably get at least 7 years residual out of Termidor. I also agree with Jim that most baits don’t work as well as Termidor. I’d have to disagree with comparing the effectiveness of Termidor and Sentricon (which is a bait). I have done thousands of both (over 42 personal years of experience) and the re-treat rate is about the same – about 1/2% retreatment rate, assuming the job was done right the first time. In other words, both products are extremely effective. I think Altriset will be a good product too. Just not enough history with it yet. So, Jim, back to your situation… The termite pressures in Florida are extremely heavy, so you should probably do something in the next two years. You have two choices. 1) Do a “post-construction” treatment with Termidor or Altriset or 2)Do a Sentricon install. Without knowing the size of your home, I could “ballpark” an estimated cost of around $1,000 for Termidor or $800 using the new “always active” Sentricon. The renewal inspection rate should probably be around $120 for Termidor or $285 for Sentricon. So, over 5 years, you would pay $1,480 with Termidor ($1,000 + 4 X $120) or $1,940 for Sentricon ($800 + 4 X $285). The Sentricon is higher. What do you get for the extra 500 bucks? No holes drilled thru your exterior concrete (stoops, patios, garage door jambs, etc) and a more environmentally friendly treatment (no liquid insecticides). If you are ok with the drilled holes, but want environmentally friendly, you might take a look at Altriset. That should give you some points to think about over the next 2 years about your termite protection.
August 13th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Just an FYI/ follow up ………My termite guy came by (7-26-12) to check the Sentricon “traps” and found activity in one of them. He baited it but has not returned..Today is 8-13-12. Wouldn’t / shouldn’t the Termidor be still working if I got the 7 to 10 years with it, installed 2006?
I am confused….
But thank you for your insight…
Rich
August 13th, 2012 at 11:00 am
It could depend on how far away from the home that the stations were installed. The original liquid Termidor treatment barrier was probably done within a foot or two from the home foundation. The termites found in the Sentricon station could have been 6 feet from the foundation – outside the original Termidor barrier. As for why your PMP (pest management professional) hasn’t returned to re-bait, it depends on which version of Sentricon he/she is using. The newest version is called “Always Active” and the bait is designed to last 1-5 years. However, if they are using the prior generation of Sentricon, they will need to return within 3 months to check and add bait to the infested station.
August 15th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
The traps are not that far from the home…3 feet maybe…I will keep you posted as to when he returns and the result!!
Thanks Bart….
Rich
August 20th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I’d just about decided to go with Sentricon baits for a known infestation in NE Kansas, then started hearing from local companies that they are moving to Advance baits, because it is “newer” technology. Earlier posts on this site indicate that Sentricon was preferable, but these were couple years old posts. Current thoughts? Wish I could throw up my hands and accept Termidor but lost a beloved cat to Frontline and very suspicious of fipronil.
August 20th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Advance is not newer technology. Sentricon’s “Always Active” technology is the newest and most advanced. ANY Pest professional can use Advance. It is open to anybody. Only authorized operators can install Sentricon. You have be selected, go thru training and be in good standing to use Sentricon. So, any of the Sentricon authorized operators can use Advance, but not just anyone can use Sentricon. Advance is usually more expensive too, because the label for Advance states that it needs to be checked at least 3 times per year. The new “Always Active” Sentricon uses an advanced bait that lasts at least one year, so stations only need to be checked 0nce per year, thus lowering labor costs, This means a better bait and a lower cost to the consumer. Those pest guys that push Advance Bait are usually operators who either never got accepted as an AO (Authorized Operator), or who had their dealership taken away.