Premise or Termidor ?

Which is better...

The distributors of Premise and Termidor have gone head to head…like heavy weight boxing champions…for more than a decade...each claiming their product is better.  Both release “scientific findings” to support claim’s of supremacy.

Bills Pest & Termite is a registered user of both products.  We’ve treated over 16,000 structures using either Premise or Termidor.  Our findings are based upon “real world” experience here in Arizona.

It’s important to understand that the soil in Metro Phoenix is unique when compared to other parts of the country.  A termiticide that works well in the moist soil(s) of Florida might not work as well in Phoenix and vice versus.

Our experience shows Premise and Termidor kill our native (Arizona) subterranean termites very effectively.  We give Premise a slight edge…eliminating termite colonies in approximately 7-10 days versus 30-90 days for Termidor.  In human terms this difference might seem important but not so in the termite world.  Our native species termite is much smaller in size as is their colonies when compared to other types of termites.

Bills Pest and Termite tracks service calls to retreat a home (Retreat Rate).  Neither product reflects an edge…both are around 1%.  Premise and Termidor seem to last an average of 7 years before requiring a retreat (Phoenix area).  Premise appears to have a slight edge in residual lasting almost two years longer in our Arizona soil.

In the area of safety…Premise is a clear winner with a LD 50 (Lethal dose) rating of 450 versus Termidor’s 59.   Translation…it takes 450 doses of Premise and only 59 doses of Termidor to kill the average lab rat.

Now that the patent on Imidacloprid  (active ingredient in Premise) has expired…more chemical distributors are offering their version of Premise…driving down the price.  Premise is currently running 40% less in cost than Termidor…a savings passed on to the consumer.

Premise moves well in our Arizona soil…using the same amount of product…Premise will cover an area approximately three times that of Termidor.  This is important when you consider the foraging nature of Arizona termites. 

If your home has primarily desert landscaping around the foundation…using Premise will offer better protection.

With the different products now available for termite control and the differences in home construction it’s important that every home be inspected and evaluated by a trained professional to determine the most effective product and method to control termites.

Have questions about termites?  602.308.4510 or  Email us