For termite baiting products to be effective, they must be what?

The effectiveness of termite baiting products hinges on their formulation and mode of action. For these products to be successful, they must be readily consumed and slow acting. This approach allows the termites to feed on the bait and then carry it back to their colony, where it can impact a larger number of termites, including those that do not directly consume the bait.

If the baiting products were immediately effective or quickly acting, the termites would die before they had a chance to return to their colony and share the bait with others. This would limit the effectiveness of the treatment significantly. Additionally, baits that are highly repellent are counterproductive, as they might deter termites from approaching or consuming the bait. The ideal baiting system takes advantage of the natural behavior of termites, allowing for a more comprehensive extermination of the colony.