Prevention is always better than a cure, especially when it comes to keeping your premise safe from the threat of termites. Unfortunately, based on research by the CSIRO, and estimated 1 out of 3 dwellings in Australia will be attacked by termites at least once during their lifetime.[i] Taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of an infestation and save you thousands on building repairs.
A chemical termite barrier is a safe, eco-friendly, and effective way to protect your home or business from termites. When installed and monitored by a licensed pest controller, the treatment can provide up to 8 years in the right soil conditions. Best of all? Each treatment plan is tailored to the specific needs of your property, which ensures you get total coverage and peace of mind.
If you’d like to enquire about a chemical termite barrier for your home or business, contact All Bugs today.
Visual Inspection and Installation
Before any work begins, a visual inspection of the premise will need to be carried out. If any live termite activity is found, they will need to be eliminated before the barrier can be installed. Otherwise, the chemical barrier may ‘trap’ the live termites and leave them nowhere to go.
Both new and existing buildings can have a chemical termite barrier. For existing buildings, the liquid termiticide is applied beneath the soil around the perimeter of the foundation. During the construction of a new building, a system of physical or chemical barriers installed at key stages in the construction process. They aim to deter subterranean termites from attacking your property.
Of course, the location of the treated area may differ depending on the layout of the property.
Installation can often be completed in just one day. While there’s no need to vacate the premise during installation, for safety reasons, the outside area may be inaccessible until the job is complete. Your pest controller will let you know ahead of time if this is the case and, if so, when the outdoor area will be accessible again.
Types of Chemical Termite Barriers
There are two types of chemical termite barriers, which both work in different ways. Below is a breakdown of the benefits of each type:
Repellent chemical barrier
As the name implies, this chemical is designed to deter and not kill termites. When a termite approaches the barrier, they will detect the presence of the chemical barrier and avoid the treated area. Repellent chemical barriers have a longer lifespan than other products and require less reapplication, which saves you money in the long term.
On the downside, there is a chance that termites can exploit gaps in a repellent chemical barrier to gain access. Uneven soil and the presence of rocks, tree roots, and bushes can increase the risk of this happening. However, a routine check-up will allow your pest controller to identify and fill these gaps in order to prevent entry.
Non-repellent chemical barrier
Aside from being able to kill termites who enter a treated zone, termites cannot detect the presence of this barrier in the soil.
What does this mean? Well, since the termites have no reason to suspect there is a barrier in the first place, they’re less likely to go out of their way to look for gaps to exploit. From there, once they enter the treated zone, they will become infected by the liquid termiticide and return to the nest – killing off the Queen, the remaining colony, and themselves.
Safe and Eco-friendly
Both types of chemical termite barriers work to be low hazard and safe to use around humans, pets, and other wildlife. Chemical barriers are also safe to use around people who have allergies.
How is this possible?
For starters, the chemicals used in chemical barriers are registered on the Australian Pesticide Register. Registered chemicals are required to pass strict health and safety requirements. You can relax knowing the treatment is safe to use around your family, pets, staff, and customers.
Secondly, the chemical itself is injected deep into the soil. There is no risk of airborne chemicals spreading around the environment.
Although, as previously mentioned, it is generally advised to avoid the treated area during installation. Of course, your pest controller will notify you in advance, and let you know when the area is safe to use again.
Running Costs
Annual check-ups are vital to getting the most out of your chemical termite barrier. During each appointment, your pest controller will check for evidence of live termites (including dead termites, if you use a non-repellent barrier), refill the chemical barrier, and search for signs of infestation elsewhere. This will ensure that the barrier brings you lasting relief for its entire lifespan.
The cost of each appointment can vary. Factors to consider include the type of barrier, it’s size, and how much needs to be refilled. On average, the estimated total cost of a chemical termite barrier can start from $1500 to $3500 plus which depends on the size and the structure type of the building.
While this may sound pricey at first, it’s far less than what you would pay to repair termite-related damage, including the cost of repeat treatment over the course of 5-8 years.
Is Your Home or Business Safe From Termite Attacks?
If you’re unsure, it’s best to take action early before an infestation occurs. A visual inspection from a licensed pest controller will help you decide if a chemical termite barrier is right for you.
To book an appointment with All Bugs, call (07) 3324 0111 or send your online enquiry today.
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