Q&A With the Sentricon Field Scientists

Dr. Michelle Smith, Dr. Joe Demark, Dr. Joe Eager and Dr. Barb Nead-Nylander

Q: Does the Recruit^® HD termite bait label have a signal word?
A: No. In April 2009, Recruit HD termite bait became the first termite control product to receive registration without a signal word from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Q: What happens to Recruit HD termite bait in flood conditions?
A: A study showed that even under flooded conditions for several months Sentricon® stations containing Recruit HD termite bait held noviflumuron. In addition, soil immediately surrounding the Sentricon station will act as another physical barrier to further movement as noviflumuron binds firmly to soil. In the study, completed in May 2010, the extremely low concentration of noviflumuron in the water surrounding a Recruit HD termite bait device was below the acute toxicity level for even the most sensitive aquatic species.
The Dow AgroSciences study involved placing Recruit® HD termite bait devices in 1-gallon jugs filled with purified water. Water samples were taken the day the research began and were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectral detection to measure the concentration of noviflumuron in the water. Water samples were analyzed periodically for up to three months. The results showed that the concentration of noviflumuron measured in the water was extremely low (less than 1 part per billion) and only a fraction (0.3 percent) of its known water solubility. This low concentration did not increase with time. This demonstrated the preference of the noviflumuron to remain in the bait matrix rather than move from the matrix to the water.

In the second part of the study, test water containing the trace concentrations of noviflumuron from the flooded station simulation was applied to a very small soil column and analyzed. Results showed concentrations at least 10 times lower and less than 0.05 parts per billion. The soil acted as physical barrier for small dislodged particles of bait matrix, plus noviflumuron strongly and irreversibly binds to soil.

Q: Will freezing temperatures and snow affect the Sentricon® System with Always Active™ technology?
A: Recruit HD termite bait, a component of the Sentricon System with Always Active technology, stays viable regardless of the weather and seasonal changes. The active ingredient, noviflumuron, is contained in a special bait matrix that extends durability, which is why even cracked and moldy bait should only be replaced when one-third has been consumed. The termite bait will crack due to cold temperatures and water absorption, but termites like to crawl into the cracks and crevices. It does not affect the longevity or the efficacy of the termite bait.

Q: Do all conversions to the Sentricon System with Always Active technology require LID top caps?
A: Some conversions to the Sentricon System with Always Active technology may not require Locate and Identify (LID) top caps. In fact, some Certified Sentricon Specialists™ (CSSs) may be spending unnecessary time on their conversions by scanning new bar codes. Each LID top cap has two codes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) code contained in the LID top cap and a bar code printed on the paper sticker. If a CSS is converting a site to Always Active technology and does not intend to use an Interrogator™ device to locate the Sentricon stations, there is no need to replace the top cap. However, if a CSS plans to use an Interrogator device, only then should the CSS replace the current top caps with LID top caps and scan the new bar codes. CSSs who choose not to use LID top caps can always change their mind in the future. This pertains to conversions only. All installations of Always Active technology will have LID top caps, because they are preloaded in the Sentricon stations.