Reasons You Need A Termite Barrier + Infographic
Termites are destructive pests that can cause major damage to your house. A termite barrier is an essential part of any preventative pest control plan. There are several compelling reasons why you need to have a professional termite barrier installed around your property.
10 Reasons Why You Should Have a Termite Barrier
1. Prevent Termite Infestations
A termite barrier provides an impenetrable chemical perimeter defense around your place. This prevents subterranean termites from gaining access and establishing colonies in your structure.
2. Protect Your Investment
Your home is likely to be your largest investment. Termites can compromise structural integrity, destroy wood, flooring and drywall fast. Termite damage often requires expensive repairs.
3. Save on Future Costs
Treating a termite infestation costs an average of $1,500 and the structural damage can cost many thousands more. Installing a barrier now for a few hundred dollars can save you from paying much larger amounts down the road.
4. Peace of Mind
Once the barrier is installed and maintained properly, you can relax knowing termites cannot invade your living spaces. This gives major peace of mind.
5. Maintain Home Value
Termite damage can reduce a home’s value, especially when selling. Undamaged homes hold higher resale value.
6. Prevent Wood Destroying Pests
While targeting termites, most chemical termite barriers used will also repel and eliminate other wood destroying insects like carpenter ants and wood boring beetles.
7. Comply With Building Codes
Updated building codes in many regions require termite barriers on all new construction. A barrier may also be legally required in your area for additions or repairs done near soil level.
8. Avoid Ugly Mud Tubes
Termites cause unsightly mud tubes along exterior foundation walls as they follow chemical trails into your house. It will stop this ugly sight from marring curb appeal.
9. Correct Soil Grading Errors
Improper drainage and soil contact with wood components can allow termite attack. A professionally installed barrier corrects these weakness regardless of grading issues.
10. Won’t Harm Pets or People
Modern termite protection products and application methods are safe for property owners, children, pets, and the environment when applied correctly and allowed to dry. There is no need to leave the premises during or after installation.
Types of Termite Barriers
There are several options when it comes to termite barrier systems installed by pest control professionals:
- Chemical Barrier: This applies a liquid termiticide solution around the entire exterior foundation and other vulnerable areas. This creates a continuous chemical barrier that is deadly to termites if they try to cross it.
- Physical Barrier: This includes metal mesh screens, sand barriers and special construction sealants. These provide a physical obstruction that makes it impossible for termite colony to pass through vulnerable areas to reach wood.
- Bait Systems: Termite bait stations with insecticide are installed around the perimeter. Worker termites eat the bait, bringing it back to destroy the entire colony. This eliminates local termite threats. While very effective, bait systems alone don’t provide a complete safety barrier.
- Combined Barrier: The best protection against termites uses a combination of both chemical liquid barriers applied during construction and professional termite bait stations monitoring threats around a homesite’s perimeter. This “belt and suspenders” approach leaves no gaps in your defense system.
Popular Termite Barriers in Australia
Some of the most widely used and trusted professional termite products and systems across Australia include:
- HomeGuard: A popular liquid chemical termiticide made by FMC Corporation. It creates a high-strength protective barrier for termite activity. Certified HomeGuard specialists must install this system.
- Kordon: This termicide product is applied as a liquid treatments or foam injection to form a complete, long-lasting chemical perimeter. Kordon has decades of proven results across Australia.
- Granitgard: This professional product by Bayer contains the powerful activant imidacloprid. It bonds to concrete and masonry foundations where termites may try to enter through cracks.
- Nemesis Exclusion System: This system involves stainless steel mesh screens wrapped around pipes, electrical conduits or other areas at risk. This physical termite barriers have prevents termites from exploiting tiny construction gaps.
- TERM-seal: SPECIES Advanced Barrier Systems provides this durable, flexible sealing product that sticks to foundations. Valves, ducts and pipes penetrating the concrete slab get encapsulated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a termite barrier system cost?
Costs vary depending on materials and home size, but expect to invest $1,000 to $3,000. Some long-lasting barriers may be more upfront but protect for 10 years.
How long does an installation take?
The installation time can range from a few hours for simpler physical barriers, up to two days for more extensive chemical or sand barriers dug around the entire foundation.
Should I repair cracks before barrier installation?
Yes, sealing all cracks and penetration points is an important first step. This denies entry access. Combining repairs with the barrier improves effectiveness.
Can barrier systems be installed around an existing home?
In most cases, yes. Specialized trenching equipment allows barriers to be installed with minimal landscaping disruption. New construction allows for easier and more comprehensive installation.
How often should you have termite inspections?
Annual inspections look for new signs of cracks or evidence of moisture damage which can compromise barriers over time. Termite inspection allows for proactive maintenance to ensure ongoing performance which avoids costly repairs in the future.
Conclusion
Safeguarding your home with expert termite treatment brings invaluable and reliable protection. Act now before active termites find an unsecured way in, causing heartache and financial loss. A small investment today avoids catastrophic wood damage tomorrow. Contact a trusted local pest control company that complies with Australian standards to have your effective termite barrier installed without delay.
Resources and Further Reading
You can also check these websites that we use to provide credible information:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/pest-control-termites
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/termites
https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities—-collections/collections/entomology
