How to Get Rid of Cockroaches : Your Ultimate Guide
November 25, 2011
Choosing Between Premise 75 or Termidor: A Comprehensive Guide
Battling termites are a task often faced by homeowners in the lower elevations of Arizona, specifically around Metropolitan Phoenix. Every day, we get calls from troubled consumers asking, “Premise 75 or Termidor – which is the best product to rid my home of termites?” The short answer is, both are excellent choices when used appropriately.
How to Select the Best Product to Eliminate Termites
Choosing between Premise 75 and Termidor isn’t as challenging as it might seem, as both products have proven efficacy in termite control. At Bills Pest Termite Control, your hometown exterminator and Arizona’s Termite Experts, we have extensive experience with all types of termite treatment solutions and specialize in both eradication and long-term protection. If you have or suspect a termite problem, call us today at 602.308.4510 for thorough inspections, honest estimates, professional evaluations, and second opinions.
The Rivalry: Premise 75 vs. Termidor
Like a decade-long duel between heavyweight boxing champions, the distributors of both Premise 75 and Termidor have laid claim to their product’s superiority. Backed by scientific evidence, both products showcase exceptional standards of termite control. Interesting to note that both active ingredients were attributed to the diligence of scientists at Bayer Corporation, the maker of Premise 75. Although the patent continues to be held by Bayer, the distribution rights are currently with BASF.
The verdict on Premise 75 and Termidor, which we service nearly each day, is drawn from our real-world experiences at Bills Pest Termite Control. With over 30,000 structures treated using either product, our assessment rests on our on-ground understanding of Arizona’s unique condition. Soil differences make a significant impact; termiticides that function excellently in moist soils like Florida might perform differently under the arid Phoenix conditions and vice versa.
Termites in Arizona
Termite Control in Phoenix
Backed by rigorous data and extensive experience, we’ve observed that both Premise 75 and Termidor are effective in exterminating Arizona’s native subterranean termites. However, Premise takes a slight lead by eliminating termite colonies in an average of 7-10 days, versus the 30-90 days Termidor takes. Although significant from a human perspective, ants, with their smaller and less populous colonies compared to other termite types, find little difference.
Following up on service calls at Bills Pest Termite Control for home retreats (Retreat Rate), we’ve observed that neither product has a significant edge, maintaining a close retreat rate of around 1%. Both Premise and Termidor last an average of 7 years before a retreat is required in the Phoenix area, although Premise appears to last almost two years longer in our Arizona soil.
In terms of safety, Premise 75 emerges as a clear champion with an LD 50 (Lethal dose) rating of 450 versus Termidor’s 59. In simpler terms, you would need 450 doses of Premise to match the lethal effect of 59 doses of Termidor on the average lab rat.
Imidacloprid vs. Fipronil: The Impact of Expiring Patents
With the patent on Imidacloprid (the active ingredient in Premise) expired, more chemical distributors are introducing their versions of Premise, leading to a drop in price. Currently, Premise costs about 40% less than Termidor, reflecting significant savings to consumers. Simultaneously, the production patent on Termidor recently expired, paving the way for more affordable generic versions of the product.
Premise also demonstrates superior performance in Arizona’s clay soil. Given equal quantities, Premise can cover an area approximately three times the size of Termidor’s coverage. This property is especially useful given the foraging nature of Arizona termites.
The Bottom Line – Premise 75 or Termidor
If your home predominantly features a desert landscape around the foundation, Premise may offer better protection due to its greater spread in clay soils.
Given the range of products now available for termite control and the significant variations in home construction, it’s critical that each home is adequately inspected and evaluated by trained professionals to determine the most effective product and method for controlling termites. If you have any more questions regarding Premise 75 or Termidor, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 602.308.4510. We’re here to help!
Which is better for my home Premise 75 or Termidor – 602.308.4510
Can decide Premise 75 or Termidor? Let us help!
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