Well Folks,
I've looked as hard as I can into the whole matter of over-the-counter Termite Baits, and as far as I can see, there are only four outfits out there who will sell you Bait Stations and Treated Baits, as opposed to just Bait Stations accompanied by the casually made aside that you will have no trouble finding a Pest Controller who will insert Treated Baits into your Stations if Termite's go for the timber lures inside. "Pig's R's!" as that puppet on Rubbery Figures that looked like John Elliot used to say...
The weblinks to these four companies are as follows, along with some observations of my own:
http://www.envirobug.com.au/
Outbackrr's original suggestion as per his first post. The system seems expensive until you remember that ALL of the stations already contain the chemical bait that kills the little buggers, rather than just being filled with pieces of timber that you have to supplement with a Treated Bait if termites start munching on the timber inside. Replacement Treated Baits are also available from them, for a price that is the cheapest of the four.
http://termi-mite.com.au/
Exactly the same product as the Envirobug unit (as in coming out of the same factory, but with a different sticker on it) except dearer for both stations and baits.
http://www.pest-free-naturally.com/index.php
Different style of station altogether to those used by the above two companies. Stations are cheaper to buy, but contain no Treated Bait. Treated Baits are a LOT dearer than those of the above two companies.
http://www.termitetrap.com.au/index.htm
A different style of station again - is made by Hills Industries and available at their clearance outlets. Interesting design. Once again though, stations are cheaper than Envirobug's, but are not pre-treated. Treated Baits are a fair bit dearer than Envirobug's.
As far as I was concerned, it came down to EnviroBug and TermiteTrap. The EnviroBug units are a little more discreet in the ground, compared to the Termite Trap units (which are mostly out of the ground), and being set up for pre-treatment before installation (as opposed to "after detection of termites"), the EnviroBugs eliminate the risk of frightening off the little buggers when inserting a Treated Bait after they have been observed within. They are apparently easily startled. To top it off, if you do the Maths (yes, Maths! Not bluddy Math! There is an "s" at the end of Mathematics you know...) eight treated EnviroBugs cost less than six treated Termite Traps...
So I grabbed a bus into the Brisbane Home Show this afternoon, had a talk about the system with the lovely lady (the chap's wife) who was manning (womanning?) the EnviroBug booth, flashed some cash, whereupon she budged on price for me. I suggest that if any of you up or down here in Brisbane are looking for something along the lines of a DIY baiting system, then get in there to the show while it's still on and flash some cash... (the rest of the show was drop-dead boring by the way. The Woodwork Show absolutely creams it - even if the exhibitors cram too much gear into too small an area each year. The venue manager should bite the bullet and let up on them, and give them more space for less money, and I guarantee that you will get more woodworkers coming back each year because there would be more gear and the whole thing would be more comfortable to boot! More admissions equals more money for the organisers. Anyhow, I digress...)
When I got home I pulled the EnviroBugs apart and had a good look at their innards. Pretty simple - but I like the concept. Significantly different to Sentricon & Exterra stations, etc. Anyway, I'm going to put them in over at my brother's place tomorrow (except for one that is going dead smack in the middle of the back lean-too where I found the little buggers munching on my own timber late last year, and another in the backyard garden next to this log that I just know will have them in it when I turn it upside down). Will let you all know if I get some "nibbles" (it's a bit like fishing, hey!)
Special thanks to Outbackrr for the link! And just remember everyone, if they're getting stuck into your frame, don't just put these things in by themselves - first save your frame by spraying the little buggers down off it with something like Pigeon's, and you should then have more luck with baiting them to boot, because they'll be looking for a replacement food source...
Best Wishes,
Batpig.