Sponsored Listing
Home » Control » Termite Barriers
Termite Barriers
Physical & Chemical Treatment Zones for Your Home
Depending on the type of termite control products used around your home, these materials either can help control infestations and/or prevent termites from entering areas of your home where pest control experts cannot see them.
Termite treatment zones are most important around common termite entry points, including where your home's foundation meets the soil and around openings where utilities enter your home. In these areas, physical termite barriers can force termites to build mud tubes, a common sign of their presence, in more visible locations.
Types of Mechanical Termite Barriers
Physical barriers, such as stainless steel mesh, help reduce the number of termite entry points below ground. These barriers do not repel or kill termites. They simply help seal off areas of your home where termites are most likely to enter undetected.
Particulate barriers, which can be made of sand, granite or basalt, create a densely packed layer of materials under and around a home. If properly installed with the correct particle size, the pieces are too large for termites to move and leave gaps too small for termites to crawl between to reach the house.
Types of Chemical Treatment Zones
A chemical termite treatment zone can either prevent termites from foraging near the home (repellent termiticide) or control termites and their colony foraging nearby (non-repellent termiticide).
Termite Barriers and Pests
Termite control methods are designed to help reduce the likelihood of a termite infestation in your home. But termites are more than just nuisance pests; termites are very destructive insects.
By some estimates, termite treatment and repairs for termite damage in the U.S. total more than $5 billion annually. Homeowner's insurance typically does not cover termite damage. To protect your home, consider all means of termite prevention and control and schedule routine termite inspections from a trained professional.
Barriers with Termiticide
Some physical barriers can be used to protect structures from attack by subterranean termites. Marine grade stainless steel mesh can be applied under expansion joints and to protect pipe and electrical penetrations. Some treated plastic blankets are available but are not common.
Basaltic Termite Barrier (BTB)
Similar to sand, basalt can be used as a barrier against subterranean termites. Basalt is a volcanic ash derivative and is more commonly used than a sand barrier, especially in Hawaii where basalt is plentiful and accessible.
Chemical Treatment Zones & Barriers
Previously called chemical barriers, treatment zones are the areas where a soil liquid termiticide was applied. Today's products allow for less than a full and complete treatment in order to control termites but the term barrier is still used especially for repellent products.
Chemical Treatment Zones & Barriers
Previously called chemical barriers, treatment zones are the areas where a soil liquid termiticide was applied. Today's products allow for less than a full and complete treatment in order to control termites but the term barrier is still used especially for repellent products.
Plastic Termite Barriers
Plastic termite barriers were developed based on technology used in Australia. American versions such as the Impasse product had two layers of plastic with a treated area between or a single treated plastic. These are not commonly used.
Stainless Steel Mesh Termite Barriers
Marine grade stainless steel mesh is used as a barrier against termites in some cases. The mesh is placed under expansion joints or around pipe penetrations for slab construction. The mesh is durable and long lasting and is very effective.
Termite Sand Barrier
Scientists have experimated with sand barriers with particles of 2.0 to 2.8 millimeters in diameter as a deterrent to subterranean termites. The particles are too large to move and too small to navigate around. This method is not commonly used.
Types of Termite Barrier Systems
Barriers to keep termites out of homes include the products used for control such as liquid termiticides as well as physcical barriers such as basalt, sand, and marine grade stainless steel. Degree of success of physical barriers vary.