The goal of installing a termite barrier around your property is to prevent termites from entering your house. Termite barrier minimizes potential entrance sites or eliminates and controls existing termite colonies in your property.
There are several types of termite barriers to choose from. Sand, basaltic particles, and stainless steel mesh are physical and non-chemical barriers. Termiticide-treated plastic barriers and soil treatments are examples of chemical termite barriers that are considered more useful than other types.
Moreover, both pre-and post-construction termite barriers exist. So, whether you install them before the construction of your house or after, choose a perfect barrier type to effectively reduce the termite effect in your house.
Physical termite barriers
In order to prevent termites from entering a building via the concrete slab or foundation, it is often necessary to set up a physical barrier during the construction process. Termites can’t get through the tiny pores in corrosion-proof webbing which is often used to construct physical barriers.
But, termites can enter the structure if they can circumvent the barrier and emerge on the outside. Their mud tubes, which they use to burrow underground and protect themselves from moisture loss and predators, clearly indicate this.
Chemical termite barriers
Technicians specializing in termite treatment will dig a trench around your home and the afflicted area, and then pour a chemical into the trench to deter the termites. Some chemicals are meant to kill the termites, while others are meant to repel them.
The chemical poisons are made to be consumed or they reached the colony as nourishment, terminating them in their homes. There has been a recent trend toward using both barrier forms, particularly in older buildings that were originally built with physical barriers.
How Long Will Chemical Termite Barriers Keep Termites Out?
Chemical termite barriers last longer than any other type of barrier. They used be effective for up to 30 years. It is because these stable compounds could be stored for longer.
The amount of time a chemical remains effective in the soil determines how long the barriers will last. Again, the time is determined by the chemical itself, its method, and any restrictions placed on the treatment. A complete chemical termite barrier may now be expected to persist for up to eight years. Although some chemical remedies only work for a few years at most.
However, chemical termite barriers are-
- A more sustainable option
- Better for people’s safety
- Better for pets
- Get rid of the termite colonies entirely
Likewise, there is no such thing as a certain chemical or physical termite barrier that lasts forever. Routine annual examinations may reduce the risk of a termite infestation. Employing a trained and experienced exterminator is the only way to ensure that your home is protected from these voracious insects.
Chemical termite barriers and the protection of your pets as well as babies
Once in place, there is no immediate danger to children or pets from the chemical used in chemical termite barriers. The reasons are-
- These chemicals are identical to many popular pet flea treatments.
- Also, unlike the chemical used in many conventional treatments, this one is injected directly into the soil. This eliminates any possibility of putting people in risky situations while they are in the area.
However, as a safety measure, it is strongly advised to keep your dogs inside the house while the termite barrier is installed. If you apply a liquid barrier and wait 3 hours for it to dry, you may let your kids and dogs play in the garden till the chemical is completely dissolved.
What’s the best option?
It would be ideal to have both of these barriers for a perfect termite-free house. On the other hand, if you can only choose one, then go for a chemical termite barrier. The reasons are as follows-
- Installing a chemical barrier is less expensive.
- It requires less maintenance than a physical one.
- Additionally, a chemical barrier can be easily and cheaply replaced by professionals, but repairing a broken physical barrier might be difficult and expensive.
Conclusion
These termite barriers have the potential to save expenses associated with treating and repairing damage caused by termites by several thousands of dollars. Because of this, it is essential to use the most effective remedy available on the market to protect your most cherished item from unwanted critters like termites. So, don’t think twice and go for a better lifestyle.