Chemical Termite Barriers 101 – How They Work, Safety, Installation and Cost

It’s estimated that as many as 1 in 3 properties in Australia are affected by termites. At least 50% of homes with active infestations could have been better protected with precautionary measures such as termite barriers, baits, and traps.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Termite infestations, especially undetected ones, can cause significant structural damage, often leading to costly repairs. That’s why it’s essential for property owners to take all necessary steps to protect their homes and businesses from termite damage.

What is a Termite Chemical Barrier?

A termite chemical barrier is a specially treated zone that surrounds the perimeter of a property or building. The treatment is applied beneath the ground, designed to disrupt the termites’ natural path. These barriers are created using chemicals that prevent termites from breaching the treated area and gaining access to your property. Termites that come into direct contact with the barrier are killed, and the effects of the chemical are passed through the colony, eventually killing the entire group.

How Do Termite Chemical Barriers Work?

Before installing a chemical termite barrier, a thorough termite inspection is essential to ensure no active termites are present. If live termites are found within the property, treatment is carried out immediately, followed by a follow-up inspection 21 days later to confirm successful removal.

Once no active termites are detected, the barrier installation can proceed. The process involves digging a trench around the building’s perimeter, exposing the footings. This trench is then filled with a termiticide chemical mixed with water, which binds with the soil. As termites move through the soil in search of food, they come into contact with the barrier and are killed off by the termiticide.

The industry-leading product for chemical termite barriers is Termidor, known for its “transfer effect.” This effect means that the chemical not only kills the termites that come into direct contact with it but also spreads through the colony, ensuring complete eradication.

Termiticides are far more effective than repellents, which merely deter termites without eradicating the colony.

Chemical Barriers vs. Traditional Physical Termite Barriers

For homes that have no physical termite barrier in place, chemical termite barriers provide an excellent preventative solution. They offer protection without requiring structural alterations to the building.

In contrast, newer homes are often built with physical termite barriers, such as treated plastic or metal mesh sheeting placed under or around the edges of the concrete slab during construction. These physical barriers are effective for long-term protection, with a lifespan of up to 50 years.

However, for homes built before changes in building codes, chemical termite barriers are a viable alternative. They protect properties for up to 8 years, offering a significant benefit over physical barriers by killing termites and affecting the nest with the transfer of lethal chemicals.

When combined, chemical and physical barriers provide the most effective termite protection.

How Long Do Chemical Barriers Last?

Pest-Ex uses only high quality Termidor chemical barriers which last 8 years.

These barriers all come with a $2 million dollar assurance warranty from BASF Termidor. All of our installations are carried out in strict accordance with Australian standards, and as Termidor trained professionals, we are able to pass that assurance onto our customers.

All chemical barriers installed by us are certified. Upon completion of the install, this certification is acknowledged by BASF, and the customer receives the warranty certificate. It should be noted that this certificate of warranty is subject to 12 monthly inspections.

This is simply to ensure that your barrier is maintained to a high standard and also to ensure that we detect any potential disruptions to the barrier ahead of time before any termite damage occurs.

Benefits of a Termite Chemical Barrier

A termite chemical barrier offers numerous advantages in protecting your property from potential termite damage. Here are some key benefits:

• Provides strong, long-lasting protection against termites by creating a treated zone around your property.
• Prevents termites from entering and damaging your home.
• A non-invasive solution that doesn’t require major structural changes.
• It can last several years, reducing the risk of costly damage from termite infestations.
• Scientifically proven to be highly effective in controlling and preventing termite activity.
• Offers peace of mind, knowing your property is protected from termites.
• Installation is quick and minimally disrupted by daily activities.
• It targets areas where termites are most likely to enter, providing precise protection.
• A cost-effective solution for termite prevention compared to other methods.

Chemical Barriers and the Safety of Children and Pets

The chemicals used in termite barriers are similar to those used in common pet flea treatments. Once the barrier is in place, it poses no immediate threat to children or pets. As the solution is liquid-based and injected into the soil, there’s no risk of exposure to those accessing the area.

However, as a precaution, we recommend keeping pets indoors while the barrier is applied. After the liquid barrier dries in about 3 hours, your children and pets can safely play in the yard.

Cost of Termite Chemical Barriers

Prices for termite chemical barriers vary depending upon the size of the property being treated. Cost is calculated per lineal meter, so larger properties obviously cost more.

For an average sized 3 bedroom home on a typically sized block, prices start from $2,300. This of course comes with a guarantee, yearly termite inspections are recommended as per Australian standards , and will protect your property for 8 years. This may seem like an expensive option, but if you factor in the cost over an 8 year period, you’ll realise it’s much more economical than having to deal with facing costly repair bills.

It’s always best to have one of our pest controllers inspect your property in order to provide an accurate quote, but more importantly to ensure that a chemical barrier is a right option for you.

How Long Does Installation Take?

Similar to cost, the time that it can take for installation may vary depending on the size of your property and the area that needs to be protected.

Typically, we assign multiple technicians onsite to minimise installation times. To put an average sized barrier in place for a regular sized 3 bedroom home – with two technicians at work, and installation can usually be completed within 7-8 hours.  This means we can have your home protected from the threat of termites within a days of work.

Ready to work with Pest-Ex?

If you would like more information on our chemical termite barriers, or to discuss the best options for protecting your property against a costly termite infestation, please give us a call to schedule an appointment.

We’ll organise to have one of our pest control technicians inspect your property and provide you with a free quote, and to ensure that a chemical termite barrier is a right choice for you. If not, we’ll be able to provide another option that best suits your needs.

So give us a call today, we look forward to helping you.