With termite swarming season in full swing in the Washington, D.C., area, George Washington's Mount Vernon is now being protected by an innovative termite technology that has been installed to protect the structure for years to come. The Sentricon^® Termite Colony Elimination System is now protecting this important historical property.

"The termite problem at Mount Vernon is non-threatening right now, but in the past there has been plenty of evidence of termites. That's why we're taking many safeguards to make sure termites do not infest the property in the future," says Dennis Pogue, director of preservation at Mount Vernon.

The Sentricon System, uses a three-step process to rid structures of subterranean termites. The Sentricon System monitors for evidence of termites in the soil around a structure. When termites are discovered, the Sentricon System uses the biology and natural behavior of termites along with a unique bait, deadly to termites, to eliminate the colony. The bait is then removed and the Sentricon System (through service by trained professionals) continues to monitor for new colonies that might attack the structure in the future.

"One of the real benefits of the Sentricon System is that it's non-intrusive because the monitoring stations are placed outside the building in the ground. The buildings do not have to be disturbed by drilling through the foundation or digging up around the perimeter so that hundreds of gallons of diluted termiticide can be applied," says Pogue.

"It's also a very proactive system. Instead of waiting for the termites to cause damage to the building, the Sentricon System monitors for new termite colonies outside Mount Vernon before they ever have a chance to enter the building," he adds.

The Sentricon System was the first product approved under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative. In 2000, it was awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award and is being used to protect historic properties across the country, including the Statue of Liberty, the White House, Independence Hall and the buildings in the French Quarter from the threat of termites.

Americans can be assured that one of their national treasures – Mount Vernon – is now effectively protected from invading termites.

The Sentricon System is available to property owners across the U.S. through authorized pest management companies. For names of local authorized companies, consult your local Yellow Pages or visit the locator at the top of this page.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.

The Sentricon System is approved for use by the U.S. EPA and most state regulatory agencies. Plus, the Department of Housing and Urban Development accepts the Sentricon System as a new construction treatment option for use as an alternative to liquid barrier treatments. In addition, the Sentricon System is now listed with the SBCCI.