Jan 23, 2012 – Using Premise Granules
QUESTION:
I am confused about the proper use of Premise Granules. Is its intended application for a 2-yr perimeter treatment in the same 6" band that I would otherwise apply Termidor (in trench, of course)? Or can I just put it into my Scott's spreader and broadcast it where wood piles, etc. could see potential termite activity? And, how long do I need to water it into the soil to be an effective application? Just not sure if I am using this the right way.
ANSWER:
I agree with you that it takes a little concentration to be certain of how the product can be applied. First is that it essentially is telling us that the use of the granular formulation, which is for subterranean termites only, is only intended to be a stop-gap use to kill termites that may immediately be "threatening" a structure, and that a proper treatment with a liquid-applied termiticide would be the proper followup. We see this with the statement that it "can be made in advance of the date when final treatment of the structure with a conventional soil-applied termiticide" is done. Where you determine that termites are present around a structure and pose an immediate threat to the structure you can use the granules for a rapid form of protection. This can be done in two ways.
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I am confused about the proper use of Premise Granules. Is its intended application for a 2-yr perimeter treatment in the same 6" band that I would otherwise apply Termidor (in trench, of course)? Or can I just put it into my Scott's spreader and broadcast it where wood piles, etc. could see potential termite activity? And, how long do I need to water it into the soil to be an effective application? Just not sure if I am using this the right way.
ANSWER:
I agree with you that it takes a little concentration to be certain of how the product can be applied. First is that it essentially is telling us that the use of the granular formulation, which is for subterranean termites only, is only intended to be a stop-gap use to kill termites that may immediately be "threatening" a structure, and that a proper treatment with a liquid-applied termiticide would be the proper followup. We see this with the statement that it "can be made in advance of the date when final treatment of the structure with a conventional soil-applied termiticide" is done. Where you determine that termites are present around a structure and pose an immediate threat to the structure you can use the granules for a rapid form of protection. This can be done in two ways.
One is to apply the granules around the perimeter of the foundation by digging a trench 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep and incorporating the granules in the soil as you replace the soil in that trench. This is just one way of getting the active ingredient into the soil where the termites may contact it. The other method, and this confused me too, would be to spread the granules on TOP of the soil using an appropriate spreader. In this case it allows you to apply the granules from 3-10 feet out from the structure foundation and then water the soil enough to get the granules dissolved and soaked into the soil. Generally, for granular applications of most kinds of pesticides, a recommendation is to apply about 1/2 inch of water over the soil, ensuring that there is no runoff and the soil is not already saturated or frozen, so that it will accept this additional water.
In your question you seem to suggest that you would be using it as a "2-year perimeter treatment", unless I am reading that wrong. But, the label for Premise Granules states pretty emphatically several times that it is NOT intended to provide long term protection of a structure, is not intended to replace standard soil treatment with liquid termiticide, and is only going to help eliminate termites present at the time of application. As far as where you are allowed to apply the granules, such as wood piles, no, the label does not seem to allow this. It gives instruction that the application is for use around "constructions", and not for wood piles or other assorted wood areas. It does state it is for use around "landscape timbers and similar non-structural wood to soil contacts", but trying to include wood piles into this might be a stretch.
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