What is a Termite Barrier?

Termites can be a major headache for homeowners throughout Australia, especially on the Sunshine Coast and near Brisbane. The climate here is ideal for these destructive little pests, and they are active year-round but are particularly prevalent in spring and summer. While they swarm in the warmer months, they don’t hibernate or become dormant in winter and may even swarm on warm winter days.

Termites live underground and feast on wood. They enter homes and other buildings in an array of ways, including via:

• Cracked mortar
• Ramps
• Steps
• Porches, decks, and patios
• Downpipes
• Vents
• Utility boxes
• Directly from the ground via underfloor basement spaces

Unidentified and untreated termite infestations can cause unprecedented levels of structural damage, and insurance companies do not provide cover for termite damage.

Routine inspections and termite baiting play a crucial role in protecting your home, but you may also benefit from investing in a termite barrier.

What is a Termite Barrier?

A termite barrier actively prevents termites from invading your home.

Physical Termite Barriers

A physical termite barrier is a permanent fixture installed at the time a house is built or when an extension is added. It is usually in the form of a mesh webbing placed under and around the building slab perimeter and plumbing penetrations. It physically blocks access by termites to the home’s structure. It must be factored in from the outset of the architectural design and planning process.

When built properly, the physical barrier prevents all termite access from areas that are not visible above ground. Aside from its requirement to be installed at the time a foundation is laid, the biggest drawback of a physical barrier is that it may degrade over time and lose its effectiveness.

Chemical Termite Barriers

A chemical termite barrier is an ideal solution when you wish to protect an existing home or other building. It can be implemented at any time and creates a treated zone to disrupt the natural access path that termites use.

To install a chemical termite barrier, a specific anti-termite liquid (termiticide) is applied to the soil around the perimeter of the foundation, under concrete ground-contact flooring, and under any paths or patios that surround the immediate perimeter of the house. This may require digging a trench (which will be refilled) or drilling through concrete/paving (which will also be refilled).

The termiticide bonds with the soil, creating a barrier that prevents the termites from breaching the zone by killing them as they come into contact with the chemically treated soil. The exposed termites also pass the effects of the treatments onto the rest of the colony, effectively eliminating the entire colony over time. Modern termiticides are undetectable to termites and they enter the zone inadvertently to be poisoned and die – meaning they are much easier to control than if they were simply being repelled.

Termiticide treated zones prevent concealed entry to the building structure – the only way for termites to gain access thereafter would be to build a mud tube over the top of the zone or gain access via vegetation – making them visible to the naked eye well before they take up residence. This makes them easy to spot during a routine termite inspection.

A chemical barrier is an ideal solution if:

• You are building a new home on a slab foundation
• You live in a region prone to subterranean termites
• Your building is constructed from materials subject to termite attack (e.g. timber frame)
• If you have experienced a termite infestation
• If you wish to maximise protection for your home

Why Choose Proactive for Your Termite Barrier?

Proactive Pest Solutions specialises in chemical termite barriers. This is the most effective way to protect your home from termite infestation.

Chemical barriers are less expensive than physical barriers, as well as being much easier to maintain for ultimate effectiveness. They may be combined with a physical barrier at the time of building for optimal results.

While it is very important to install a termite barrier if an infestation or termite damage is identified, a proactive approach to termite control may recommend installing a termite barrier to prevent the issue from the outset – before any costly damage has been done. Our expert pest control specialists will be able to discuss the best termite mitigation solutions to suit your individual home and circumstances and the ultimate decision is in your hands. We understand that termite barriers are costly; we never do a “hard sell”, but rather discuss our findings and the pros and cons of various termite management approaches so that you are fully informed.

Our Sunshine Coast termite barriers are expertly installed and all of this work is professionally assessed by our company owner, who is also a licensed builder. A properly installed chemical barrier (as delivered every time by Proactive Pest Solutions) will, in most cases remain effective for up to 8 years. Modern termiticides used by our team are safe for your entire family, including children and pets, and they are as environmentally safe as possible while being effective for eliminating termites.

There is no 100% foolproof method to guarantee complete protection against termites – so it’s critical to maintain your annual termite inspections.

Other Tips to Prevent Termites

1. Repair leaking taps and pipes.
2. Do not plant garden beds against the house (roots may penetrate foundations and create pathways for termites).
3. Ensure water runoff from rain or air conditioning units flows/drains away from the house.
4. Maintain blockage-free vents and minimise humidity.
5. Ensure renovations or alterations do not compromise your termite barrier.
6. Maintain annual termite inspections every 12 months to identify any termite presence or activity promptly for swift control.

Call Proactive Pest Solutions

Protect your family and your greatest investment – install a chemical termite barrier at your home now to keep termites out!

Proactive Pest Solutions is a top Sunshine Coast pest control company. We cover the entire region with technicians based from Noosa to South Brisbane so wherever you are across this region we have a local expert near you.

We take a unique, proactive approach to protecting you and your home or commercial premises from pests. Our commitment to excellence includes providing top quality, child- and pet-safe chemical termite barriers, as well as regular pest and termite inspections and elimination treatments and baiting where required.

Learn more about our specialist Termite Treatment Services.

Call Proactive Pest Solutions now on 1800 979 611 or email us at hello@proactivepestsolutions.com.au. You may also request a quote for a termite barrier or other pest control service via our contact form.