The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored the Sentricon System, a technology that eliminates termite colonies using a very small amount of active ingredient, only when and where termites are present.

The prestigious award, presented by the EPA on behalf of the President, recognizes technical innovation that incorporates the principles of “green” chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use.

“We are pleased to offer this revolutionary technology to our customers,” states Chad Betts. “The Sentricon System is the best protection from termites because it eliminates the colony, is limited in the environment, and is less intrusive to homeowners that traditional liquid termiticide treatments.”

Dow Agrosciences commercially launched the Sentricon System in the U.S. in 1995 to protect structures from damage caused by subterranean termites. Today, more than half a million structures across the country are being safeguarded using this revolutionary technology.

Betts Pest Control, Inc. is providing the Sentricon System to customers in the Wichita area. The Sentricon System uses a three-step process to eliminate subterranean termites. It monitors for evidence of termites in the soil around a structure. When termites are discovered, the Sentricon System uses the biology and natural behavior of termites, along with as little as one gram of active ingredient in Recruit II termite bait, to eliminate the colony. The bait is then removed and the system continues to monitor for new colonies that may invade the area. The Sentricon System is effective against all economically important subterranean termite species.

Use of the technology is expanding globally and is currently being used not only in the United States, where it is protecting structure like the Statue of Liberty, the White House, and Independence Hall, but also in Australia, France, Spain, and Japan. The Sentricon System has successfully eliminated termites from a 10-acre area of Bourges, France, and is protecting the Senate Building in Rome, Italy.

For more information on Sentricon, call Betts Pest Control, Inc. at 316.943.3555, or visit us online.

* Do not allow food, trash, decaying wood, etc. to remain in or on your property.
* Cover or seal trash tightly.
* Cut back limbs, shrubs, and vines that touch or overhang your property.
* “Weatherize” your home. Seal all possible pest entry points.
* Check for and remove structural damage such as moisture damaged wood.
* Keep gutters clean.
* Shuffle stored items regularly and keep boxes tightly sealed in plastic bags.
* Keep all areas where food is prepared, stored, and served clean and free of crumbs and grease.
* Before storing end-of-season clothes, make sure they are clean.
* Drawer and cabinet liners, paper grocery bags, and even wallpaper can be a source of food to pests.
* Carefully check for pests in furniture, boxes, paper, and other items brought into your home.
* It is easier to spot a potential problem when the interior and exterior of your home are clean and uncluttered. Sanitation is your best defense.
* If, however, these things don’t work, you can try a granular yard insecticide around the exterior of the home to help stop them from surviving the trek. If the crawlies persist, you can call us and we will give you a good deal for “on-call” service.

Contact Betts Pest Control at 316-943-3555 to schedule an appointment for a tech to come to your home.

Q: If a house has a well inside the foundation walls can it be treated for termites?

A: Yes! By two different methods:

Baiting Method: With a revolutionary method called “Sentricon” which utilizes bait to kill the termite colonies. The Sentricon® Termite Baiting System has no restrictions around wells and no risk of pollution to the well.

Liquid Method: A liquid treatment may be possible for a partial treatment, but depending upon the construction of the home, there is a very high probability that there will be areas that cannot be pressure treated and therefore, the home will not be completely protected from termite infestation.

Let me explain:

Sedgwick County has an ordinance for water wells which states:

Water Wells 7.30.050 Construction and connection requirements. The property owner shall be responsible for meeting the following requirements:C. The separation distance between wells and soils or foundations that have been treated or pretreated with a sub-surface pressurized application of a termiticide shall be a minimum of 25 feet.

This ordinance makes the pressure injection of termite chemicals to soil within 25 feet of a water well a liability issue. The treatment itself is not against this code, but it will make the water well illegal, which will be the responsibility of the property owner. There should be a written notice to a homebuyer that their well may not meet the Sedgwick County Health Code after a termite treatment of this type.

This means that any soil areas covered in concrete (such as porch, patio, garage, and basement floors) cannot be treated within 25 feet of the well. The most common point of entry for termites in our experience has been porch areas, as the porch tends to settle away from the foundation, creating an access point for termites.

Most of the chemical manufacturers do not allow the use of their product on a house that has a well inside. There is one termiticide, Termidor, which can be applied within 10′ of the well if the soil is removed, treated, and then replaced. Due to the fact that the entire structure was not treated, the untreated areas are susceptible to termite attack, and the consumer should be aware of this.

The Kansas State Pesticide Law dictates that if a pest control company cannot treat every foot of the property according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and the State Code, the invoice and or contract must clearly state that it is a partial, spot, or limited treatment.

I hope this helps to clear up any confusion regarding water wells and termite treatment.

Feel free to pass this information to your associates. If you have any questions please call me.

Chad Betts
General Manager