Termite Barriers 101
- May 9, 2019
- in Pest Control
- by Ashley Dando
- 207
- 0
Termites are tiny insects that feed on just about anything that contains cellulose. They might seem small and harmless, but the truth is that they can cause serious damage to homes. Their colony can have millions of members and they can eat 24-7. And the worse thing is that they can stay hidden under the surface and only be discovered after the damage was done. In this article we will take a closer look at termite treatment options and do termite barriers 101.
Termite Treatment Options
Depending on how large the colony is and on various factors related to your home and its environment, there are various treatments that can be used:
Termite Foam Treatment
When liquid termiticides are hard to apply, a foam treatment might be the right option. The foam expands and fills in all the space inside the galleries. This pushes it through the entire gallery, trapping the termites inside. Some foams kill the termites on contact, but the most efficient ones are those who have a delayed effect, allowing for the entire colony to be affected.
Termite Dust Treatment
The dust works in a similar way as the foam and is applied through holes in the infested surface. This method can be efficient against small colonies, and it does not require multiple follow-ups as baiting does.
Termite Barriers 101
The idea behind a termite barrier is to prevent subterranean termites or white ants from gaining entry into a structure. Termite barrier treatments are installed around the entire area of your home to offer protection from any angle. These sneaky little pests can crawl through the tiniest spaces, so the barrier should be perfectly applied by a professional.
What Is A Termite Chemical Barrier?
A chemical termite barrier is a termite management system that is applied to the soil areas that surround a structure. Termite chemical barriers are typically carried out on existing properties to prevent a termite attack. Soil areas surrounding a building get saturated using high volumes of liquid termiticide that are flooded into the soil, which prevents termites from travelling through the soil into a building. Termites that come into contact with the contaminated soil zones will become sick and die, over time the entire termite colony will be eliminated as the effects of termite chemical barrier is passed around with their family members.
How Do Termite Barriers Work?
A chemical barrier is a zone that has been treated chemically in order to protect a structure from termites. It is applied in strategic areas that will disrupt the natural path of the insects.
Chemical barriers can either kill the insects when they get in contact with the substance, kill them after a while (allowing for the entire colony to be infested) or simply deter them.
It is important to carry a thorough inspection of the property before applying the barrier. If termites can already be found inside, they should be destroyed first before applying the barrier. About 3 weeks after this treatment, a new inspection is made in order to see if they were destroyed completely, and only then the barrier can be applied.
The specialist digs a trench around the perimeter of the home, and then injects a special chemical substance that binds with the soil. The trench should be about 30 cm wide and deep.
Termiticides or Repellents?
As termites forage through the soil looking for food, they will eventually get in contact with the barrier. Termidor is the leading product in the industry, and it is transmitted from one termite to the other, eventually killing the entire colony.
Repellent substances do not kill the insects or the colony, they only deter them away. This is not such an effective method, as the termites can find another way to reach the property.
How Long Should a Termite Barrier Last In The Soil?
A barrier provides long term protection and it’s a great way to be protected against these pests without altering the structure of your home in order to apply physical barriers. Most new homes now have termite barriers by default, but old ones don’t.
Physical barriers can provide protection for up to 50 years, while chemical barriers can last up to 8 years. While they keep termites away from your home, physical barriers do not kill an existing colony. So they can still destroy your garden and other items around the home. In this case, you would still need the help of a company specialized in termite treatments.
How Long Does It Take To Apply a Termite Barrier?
Adding a barrier to a standard 3 or 4 room home can take between 6 and 8 hours. It can take more time for larger surfaces, but we can also send multiple technicians over. We will discuss this in advance and program the session according to your schedule.
The chemicals used in termite treatments or barriers are safe for children and pets, and will not affect the environment either. However, we do recommend to keep pets inside while the barrier is installed. It takes about 3 hours for it to dry, and then the kids and pets can safely play in the yard.
How Much Does A Termite Barrier Cost?
The price for a termite chemical barrier depends on multiple factors, including the size of the property. As you may imagine, larger surfaces need a bigger quantity of substances and more hours of work, so they cost more.
But the price for an average house with 3 bedrooms is around $2,500. A guarantee is included in the price and the barrier will protect you for the next 8 years. So even though it may seem like a big investment, it’s much cheaper than multiple treatments against termites over a period of 8 years, or multiple repairs to the surfaces destroyed by the insects.
Common Signs of Termites
Unfortunately, in Australia 1 in 3 homes is affected by termites. While these sneaky little creatures like to eat silently and not give any warnings, they still leave clues behinds and you can discover them before it’s too late:
– Clicking noises or head banging – the worker termites are making quite some noise when eating the wood, while the soldier termites are banging their heads against it in order to communicate with others in the colony
– You see flying termites or termite wings – this is both a good and a bad sign. It’s a bad sign because there is a termite colony nearby and the flying termites are now looking for a new place to establish a new colony. But it’s a good thing if you discover them before the colony gets the chance to expand. Call us as soon as you notice flying termites or wings
– The timber sounds hollow
– You see small holes in the wood
– The doors and windows are hard to close and open
– You find mud leads or shelter tubes
– The power fails
– You find termite droppings
– The floors, walls or ceiling are damaged
– Roof tiles are damaged
Are You Ready To Get Protected?
If you want to find out even more information about termite barriers and to discuss the best option for protection your home, we invite you to give us a call and schedule an appointment.
Early detection can save you a lot of money, so it’s better to act now than to be sorry later. Book your Safeguard Termite Inspection now by calling 07 5477 6675 or emailing info@safeguardpestcontrol.com.au and allow us to protect your home.
There are lots of companies out there and we are among the best. Safeguard Pest Control is a family-owned and operated company that has been in business since 1989.
We have 30 years of experience and our employees are highly trained and skilled. They have great knowledge in this field and can provide great results for all types of buildings. We offer pest control solutions to both residential and commercial areas, as well as to schools and hospitals. We are using modern devices and safe substances that will not affect your health or the environment.
Our team of experts will arrive as soon as possible and will begin by inspecting the particularities of your own home. After finding the problem, we will come up with a custom action plan and we will get to work. We will accommodate your schedule and together we’ll find the right time to start the treatment.
Our treatments suit all types of homes and all budgets. Contact us today and let us help you get rid of termites! Call 07 5477 6675 or send us an email at info@safeguardpestcontrol.com.au