Termite treatment recommendations vary depending on design and construction of the home.
If live termites have been discovered, it can sometimes be appropriate to recommend Termidor foaming the live termites. The Termidor foaming has NO residual value, but is aggressive towards the termite nest. The termite galleries are drilled, and the Termidor foam is injected into the termite workings. In most instances, the live termites will be stopped in four to 6 weeks.
If a home has been termite protected using chemical termite barriers, it will usually be appropriate to re-apply residual chemical termite barriers. If a home has a termite resistant frame, and the termites have occurred as a result of limited soil disturbance (plumbing repairs etc), a partial Termidor treatment (labelled expected protection period = at least 8 years) can be an appropriate strategy. Again, Termidor is aggressive towards the termite nest.
As an example, subterranean termites can occur to a free standing brick veneer home on slab with foundations through at least 5 (five) entry points. These are (1) Between the top of the footings and the finished soil/slab height. (2) Through the slab/footing joint. (3) Through cracking of the concrete slab. (4) Alongside the slab penetrations (water, plumbing, electrical, communications etc). (5) Through a failing of the foundation (footings). In over 90% of cases, termites are found entering through Entry point 1 (between the top of the footings and the finished soil/slab height).
If termites have occurred to a termite susceptible framed home, and there is nothing to suggest soil (termite barrier) disturbance, a perimeter treatment is typically recommended.
Where chemical termite treatment is recommended, we have preferences on what termiticides should be used where. Older (pre-July 1995 termiticides were very forgiving from a treatment perspective, and would kill termites up to a metre from where they’d been applied (even up to a metre below). Termites can work within 10mm of modern termiticides without effect. Modern termiticides have now been developed as repellent and non-repellent.
For soil areas adjoining a home, we prefer to trench to the footings, and use Biflex at it’s higher application rate (labelled expected protection period = at least 10 years). Being repellent to termites, it must be formed continuously, thoroughly wetting up the soil as it’s backfilled. Biflex locks in the soil well, and is largely unaffected by moisture. As a guide, a Biflex treatment assuming a standard footing (top of footing within 250mm of finished soil height) currently costs $50.00 per lineal metre including GST.
For concrete areas adjoining a home, we prefer Termidor (the non-repellent termiticide with the longest labelled expected protection period) applied by a drilling and injection technique. Termidor has a labelled expected protection period of at least 8 years, and like Biflex, it locks in the soil well, and is largely unaffected by moisture. Being non-repellent, termites will pass through treated soil just as readily as un-treated soil. Termidor is also very aggressive towards the termite nests. As a guide, a Termidor concrete perimeter treatment currently costs $55.00 per lineal metre including GST.
The combination of Termidor to the concrete areas adjoining the home, and Biflex to the soil areas against the home, to our view represents the best long term value for money to our clients.
With either termiticide, we recommend only original registrant, genuine termiticides be used, and anyone we refer you to for treatment will have assured us they use genuine termiticides. As termiticide patents expire, others manufacture generic copies of the termiticides and market them at a cheaper price. BASF (Termidor’s manufacturer) released a video that probably best describes why the original registrants’ termiticides produce a superior result for the client.
Six weeks after treatment, we recommend the termite affected timbers be re-checked, and confirm that the termites have been stopped. ($132.00 including GST) This inspection can be reasonably invasive (only damaging timber that needs to be replaced). If the termites have stopped, then the home can typically revert to an annual inspection regime as an appropriate termite management strategy. If live termites are found at this check, more invasive inspection and treatment of the other potential termite entry points at additional cost is considered essential.
If homes termite protected using chemical termite barriers are renovated, we recommend any areas with slab penetrations (eg. the tiled wet areas) have the slab penetrations termite protected using durable physical termite barriers, such as Termimesh or FMC Termiflex during those renovations. Retrospective termite treatments with modern termiticides have difficulty in effectively termite protecting slab penetrations, without damaging waterproofing, and/or requiring the removal and reinstatement of baths, showers, kitchen cupboards etc. Please note that some physical termite barriers can interfere with some common waterproofing agents. Please discuss with your waterproofer which termite protection product has been used prior to any waterproofing agent application.
Environpest are not the cheapest timber pest inspection company you’ll find, (and we’re not the most expensive) but as you might have gathered browsing our web site, given what we provide in our inspections and advice, you’ll find we’re incredibly good value. The value of the honest advice you get here will be remembered long after you’ve forgotten the price!
If we can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to call Leeanne at Environpest on (07) 3219 2777, or e-mail Environpest at info@environpest.com.au.