Trelona ATBS & Taurus SC: The Best DIY Termite Products Reviewed
Two of the most effective termite control products available to homeowners — reviewed by a licensed pest control professional with 25+ years in the field.
Two Products. One Powerful Defense.
When it comes to DIY termite control, not all products are created equal. Most hardware store options are not strong enough to deal with a serious subterranean termite threat. These two professional-grade products — available to homeowners — are the ones I recommend after 25 years in the pest control industry.
Trelona ATBS — Termite Bait Stations
Trelona ATBS is one of the most effective DIY termite baiting systems available to homeowners. The concept is simple but the science behind it is solid.
Place bait stations in the soil around the perimeter of your home, spaced every 10 feet. Termites foraging underground discover the stations, begin feeding on the bait, and carry it back to the colony. The active ingredient then spreads through the colony via normal termite social behavior — grooming, feeding, and contact.
How It Kills
Trelona uses novaluron, an insect growth regulator (IGR). Novaluron works by preventing termites from molting — the process by which termites shed their exoskeleton to grow. Without successful molting, termites cannot develop to the next life stage, cannot reproduce, and eventually die. The entire colony collapses over time.
Because novaluron is slow-acting, termites don't detect it as a threat and continue feeding and sharing it throughout the colony. This is exactly what you want.
Application Tips
- Install stations every 10 feet around the full perimeter
- Place them closer (every 5–6 feet) near areas of known activity
- Check stations every 90 days and replace bait cartridges as needed
- Be patient — colony elimination typically takes 3 to 6 months
Taurus SC — Liquid Termiticide
Taurus SC contains 9.1% fipronil — the same active ingredient used by licensed pest control professionals in full-scale termite treatments. This is a true professional-grade product, and it works.
How It Kills
What makes fipronil exceptional is that termites cannot detect it. When termites tunnel through treated soil, they pick up fipronil particles on their bodies. They then carry it back to the colony and transfer it to other termites through contact and grooming — a process called the transfer effect. This means termites that never directly touched the treated zone are still eliminated.
How to Apply
Taurus SC is applied as a trench and treat around the foundation:
- Trench along the foundation — typically 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep
- Mix Taurus SC at 0.06% to 0.125% concentration per label directions
- Apply the mixed solution to the trench at the label rate
- Backfill the trench with the treated soil
Important: Follow the label exactly. The correct rate is always the most effective rate. More is not better with termiticides — improper concentration can create gaps in the barrier.
Using Both Together
Used together, Trelona bait stations and Taurus SC create a two-layer defense:
- Taurus SC creates a chemical barrier in the soil that kills termites on contact and through transfer
- Trelona ATBS acts as an active monitoring and elimination system that targets the colony directly
The liquid barrier handles termites trying to enter now. The bait stations work on the colony long-term. Together, they cover both immediate protection and long-term colony elimination.
Both products are available online and are legal for homeowner use. Always read and follow label directions before applying any pesticide.
For help identifying termites or finding a licensed pro in your area, visit PestProDIY.com.