Final answer:
Termites come into contact with bait stations by following pheromones that are similar to those they naturally produce for communication and navigation, leading them to the bait, which they then share with the colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
Termites come into contact with bait stations primarily through their natural foraging behavior. These stations typically contain pheromones or other attractants that mimic the chemicals termites use to communicate. For example, termites emit pheromones to mark paths or alert others of food sources similarly to how ants use these chemical signals. Pheromone traps are also a common type of insect trap used to monitor or reduce the population of pests, such as clothes moths, by luring them with these chemical signals. Moreover, like other insects that respond to pheromones, males can detect the scent of females or specific signals over great distances, which helps the traps to effectively attract termites. When a termite encounters these pheromones, it is drawn to the bait station, where it ingests the bait and carries it back to the colony, unintentionally leading to the colony's control or elimination.