Chemical barrier systems
provide a zone of treated soil, poisonous to
termites, under footings and slabs and/or around
the perimeter. Chemicals registered for termite
protection include synthetic pyrethroids
(modified).
These chemicals have varied life expectancies
(refer to product label & directions), depending
on soil and exposure conditions and will
therefore require replenishment at regular
intervals.
Physical barriers such as
stainless steel mesh, graded granite stone and
metal shielding prevent termites from gaining
concealed access to the superstructure of a home
or building. The apertures in the stainless
steel mesh are too small for termites to pass
through. Graded granite creates a barrier
preventing ingress of termites into a home or
building.
The granite particles are too heavy for the
termites to move. Furthermore, when placed into
position, the specific-size and shape of the
granite particles create voids that are too
small for termites to pass through. Metal
shielding creates an impervious barrier. A
correctly designed ‘ant cap’ will not prevent
termites from gaining access to a house or
building. However, it will cause termites to
form a visible bridge over the cap, which can be
readily detected during regular, competent
inspections and warn of their presence
Reticulation Systems are
designed to effectively treat the area under
concrete slabs, for protection against
infestation by subterranean termites and around
the external perimeter of structures to prevent
termites entering from the outside of a
building.
The principle of monitoring
techniques is to have a susceptible substance in
an aggregation device ("monitoring station") on
which the termites aggregate and continue to
feed once they have found the monitoring
station. Monitoring stations can be placed in
in-ground and above-ground situations. Placement
of the stations in areas conducive to termite
activity ("directed placement") enhances the
chances of contact with foraging termites. A
toxicant in timber or a cellulose matrix can be
placed in the station or the colony may be
indirectly destroyed by dusting aggregated
termites.
Some toxicants eliminate the colony while others
suppress the colony. However, both methods
reduce potential to cause further damage to
timbers. Termite monitoring is most beneficial
when used as part of an
integrated-pest-management strategy. Colony
elimination or suppression should be followed by
hazard reduction and regular inspection.
Monitoring should continue because only a small
amount of toxin is used and does not prevent
foraging by other termite colonies that may be
present in the foraging range of a timber
structure.
