Termite barrier systems are a preventative termite treatment that help to deter termites from entering your home by blocking their access points. They can be installed during the pre-construction stage of a new building or can be added to existing homes that require termite protection. There are many different types of physical and chemical barrier systems. Some are based on soil treatments, others use plastic barriers impregnated with termiticide. Some are even combined with a termite baiting system that can repel and kill termites.
During the construction phase of a new building, a physical termite barrier systems is laid out around the entire perimeter of the house. This includes protecting stub walls, utility penetrations in the slab (eg Telstra, electricity and water pipes) as well as the perimeter brickwork of the home. These are usually made out of a type of mesh or plastic material and come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Depending on the type of protection, it can be covered with a concrete slab or glued to the ground. The most common and proven product is Termimesh, which is a physical barrier impregnated with termiticide. It is widely used by quality builders and has become compulsory in some states.
Another type of physical termite barrier is a stainless steel mesh. These are often combined with a chemical barrier, which is injected into the steel grid, where it is lethal to termites that try to chew through it. Another option is a sand or basalt particle barrier, which have holes that are too big for termites to penetrate through. However, sand or basalt particle barriers can be contaminated with dirt and soil, or weed roots, which can then penetrate through the barrier. The barrier can also be destroyed by the agitation of soil, which can result from digging, grading or landscaping of the area surrounding the barrier.
Reticulation barrier systems are designed to offer targeted termite prevention in new and renovated homes built on concrete slabs. These are a series of underground pipes, which can be filled with termiticide at high pressures to provide a chemical barrier around the house’s perimeter. They are easy to refill with the termiticide and can be easily checked by your pest controller during your annual termite inspection.
A termite baiting system works by luring the termites into a trap and then feeding them a pesticide that is deadly to them. This is a slow process, and the baiting station must be visited regularly to ensure that termites are not intercepted before they carry it back to the colony. This is a much slower approach to termite protection than a barrier, but it can be more effective in some cases, especially when combined with a physical and/or chemical termite barrier. If you’re unsure which form of termite protection is best for you, contact Safeguard Pest Control and we can consult with you about your options. We can recommend which barrier would be best for your situation, and then install the appropriate termite protection.