TermatriX from Sherwood Chemicals is a reliable monitoring system that has been designed for optimum attractiveness to termites.
For centuries, termite control relied heavily on chemical soil treatments – blankets of liquid termiticides applied beneath and around buildings to form a toxic barrier. While effective, this method often came with significant drawbacks: environmental contamination, health risks, and disruption to delicate ecosystems. In response to these concerns, the late 20th century marked a turning point with the advent of termite baiting systems, such as the TermatriX Monitoring System from Sherwood Chemicals (pictured above).
Termite baiting transformed the industry by embracing a more targeted, ecologically mindful strategy. Instead of saturating soil with toxins, bait systems exploit termite behaviour. Social insects by nature, termites continuously forage and share food within their colony. Bait stations – strategically placed above or below ground – contain cellulose laced with a slow-acting insect growth regulator (IGR). As termites feed on and share the bait, the IGR subtly disrupts the moulting process. Over time, this biological sabotage weakens and ultimately collapses the colony from within.
TermatriX termite bait exemplifies this modern approach. Engineered in Australia, it is tailored to the subterranean termite species prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region. It features the chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI) chlorfluazuron, which prevents exoskeleton development during moulting. Crucially, the active ingredient acts slowly enough to remain undetected by the colony, ensuring wide dissemination before symptoms emerge.
In countries like the US, Japan, and Australia – where structural damage costs billions annually – baiting has become integral to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. It is now viewed not just as a treatment, but as a proactive method for long-term protection. As our understanding of termite ecology deepens, baiting systems continue to evolve, merging chemistry, behavioural science, and environmental stewardship. In the fight against termites the smartest weapons may not be the deadliest, but the most cunningly designed.
The TermatriX in-ground station has designed to perform in real-world conditions and, as a result, is one of the largest stations on the market. Research conducted by CSIRO in Australia1 shows that termites are highly attracted to multiple food sources that contain large surface areas – which is reflected in the design of the TermatriX bait station. Its wide, deep design also makes it easily accessible for those with larger hands and it is easy to clean out when replacing the food sources.
The stations have vertical cuts in the side walls that minimise the possibility of soil contaminating the station, while a small hole at the base lets water escape. The large lid makes it easy to spot when carrying out inspections, with the added bonus of the large flat lid being the ideal place for pest managers to add their business logo.
When considering the TermatriX Monitoring System, it is important to realise that the three food sources – cardboard, timbers and compressed cellulose – contain no active ingredients.
It is a simple monitoring system designed to entice termites into the station. If termite activity is found, the same highly attractive TermatriX termite bait that many pest managers use for their aboveground baiting is added to deliver colony elimination.
Pest managers should check the systems on a regular basis, with an interval of 6-8 weeks – this makes it different to other products that are marketed as fully baited stations. The benefit of a monitoring system such as TermatriX is that professional, trained eyes are checking the property on a regular basis. Homeowners can become complacent when an always-active system is installed as they think they have invested in a full protection zone. Nothing beats the trained eyes of professional termite inspector.
Since its launch in 2012, the TermatriX Monitoring System has undergone continual revision and improvement, with the latest bait formulation providing consistent feeding. The system hardware has also been improved; the auger (pole digger) for in-ground stations is now more effective; and an opening tool allows in-ground stations to be opened whilst standing. Bait station lids are also now available in green, which pest managers can place on stations that become active, making for easier inspections.
Sherwood Chemicals Australasia is a high valued provider of specialty pest control products in Australia and abroad. With a state-of-the-art research and development facility and manufacturing based in Thailand – where termite pressure is some of the highest in the world – Sherwood Chemicals can be trusted to deliver results.
1 Evans, Theodore & Gleeson, P.V.. (2006). The effect of bait design on bait consumption in termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Bulletin of entomological research. 96. 85-90. 10.1079/BER2005397
