Termite Barrier – Protect Your Home From Foraging Termites
With so many barriers available which Termite Barrier will suit your home?
Firstly there are several elements that will govern which type of Termite Barrier will suit your property. This comes down to the dwellings construction type, what surrounds the dwelling, moisture content of the soil, and your Termite Risk Factor. Your risk factor will be determined by a termite inspection.
The Termite Risk Factor has five (5) levels
- Low
- Low to Moderate
- Moderate
- Moderate to High
- High
The biggest contributor to a higher risk factor is conducive environments.
What is a conducive environment
A conducive environment is an area of concern around your property that can potentially attract termites and other timber pests.
1. A tree stump left in the ground to rot away is the perfect environment for termites to build a nest. Ample food and moisture there for the nest to become very substantial.
2. An old hot water service or air conditioner will start leaking onto the ground making a damp environment close to the house. It is good to practice to divert the overflow to a down-pipe.
3. Also, Gardens up against dwelling walls are a big no-no. This can be a huge attractant to termites. Additionally Being a food source they normally are high in moisture. Termites can find their way into your home by gardens that cover up weep holes.
4. Timber sleepers that have been treated in a termiticide are a popular choice for retaining walls. However, over the time being exposed to sun and rain, this chemical breaks down and termites will attack this soft damp timber.
My Home Is On A Concrete Slab.
Homes built on a concrete slab after 1995 should have a physical moisture/termite blanket installed. Also, your pipe penetrations ( Pipes through the concrete slab) are protected by hard collars. This sheet sits under the concrete slab and will push termites out to the edges. This is where annual Termite Inspections are important because you have to be aware of such activity. In fact, We have seen termites be pushed out to the edge of the physical barrier only to eat through the brick mortar and gain access inside. The physical system is doing its job, it is making the termites breach over the inspection zone. So you must not put gardens and pathways or decking over your inspection zone or concrete slab edge.
Homes on concrete slabs pre-1995 are still susceptible to termite damage. All it takes is a little subsidence under the slab and a crack as small as 2mm and termites can enter. Plumbing collars not fitted correctly termites will enter wet areas of your home causing expensive damage. We have conducted Termite Inspections to homes where termites have gotten into bathrooms through the slab and caused considerable damage.
Termite Barrier Types
Termite Bait Stations Barrier (Termite Baiting)
Mostly made up of in-ground bait stations these units are roughly 20cm long and 10cm wide. They neatly sit under the grass line, spread out every 3 meters. The baiting stations have sleeves of wood inserted into them, Some systems also have an attractant placed in them, the attractant emits CO2 which the termites think is decaying wood. You place the stations in a line all around the dwelling, The span reach of each unit can be up to 5 meters, so placing the stations at 3 meters allow them to overlap and increasing the interception zone. You must monitor the stations every 4 to 6 weeks and when you find termites you add the bait. The termites eat the bait which in turn eliminates the whole colony.
Termites
There is a new system out called Sentricon always active. This system differs from the other systems as it has the termite bait rods installed into the system. Also with the bait already installed, we don't have to check them as often and potentially not missing the termite activity.
When you find termites in the stations, then the checks are more often at between 2 to 4-week intervals. This bait solution is low toxic and slow acting. Additionally, you can install the stations in concrete and paved areas around your house and soil (lawn and garden). An above-ground unit is available as well. The above-ground units are used on active termites in your home to eliminate them and are the first stage of the treatment before the installation of the baiting system.
Chemical Termite Barrier (Chemical Barrier)
One of the cheapest on the market but the Chemical Termite Barrier is also the most invasive. It has an installation that is very high in labor as it is a chemical treatment to the soil around the foundations of your house. Around your lawn and garden areas, you dig a trench all the way to 50mm below the top of the footings of the house. If the soil is high in clay then that needs to be removed and place with fresh high-grade soil. This soil is drenched with a termiticide (normally Termidor)and backfilled. We do several passes whilst backfilling to ensure a great termite barrier treatment.
Areas of the termite barrier.
If there are some areas around the house that are paved, they can either be removed and replaced. An alternate method of treatment is simply to drill and inject into the corners of the paper. With your Concrete paths and driveways, you drill and inject chemicals every 200mm. You plug the holes with mortar or plastic plugs when finished. Some utilities like hot water and air conditioners may need to temporarily move. Our Termite Technician will advise this in their quote.
Chemical Reticulation System (Retic System).
A Chemical Reticulation System based on the same fundamentals as a chemical termite barrier. However, it has one added advantage of being able to "recharge" the system before the end life of the chemical. We then can Pump the chemical into the fill points installed every 12 meters. Furthermore, a trench is dug, the Piping is then laid at the footing of the dwelling. Also similar to the chemical barrier the soil is drenched when being backfilled and sprayed with multiple passes. This is a huge advantage as it has little to no disturbance after the initial install of the termite barrier.
Termite Barrier Cost.
Our Termite Barrier Brisbane Office will organize a free onsite. Additionally, it is the only way to accurately match the correct termite barrier type to your home. This is the way the pest controller can answer all the questions you have. Onsite they will go through the termite barrier cost and why that barrier matches your property. In fact, The Technician will do a Termite Inspection and run you through your termite risk factor and how you can go about lowering it.
So be proactive about termite protection and install a termite barrier. We are protecting homes in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and on the Gold Coast. Contact our friendly team on 32008586
