Chemical Barriers

This method of treatment is carried out after a dusting or foaming treatment has been completed or at other times when prior treatments are not possible or necessary. Subterranean termites make their galleries underground from the nest (possibly up to 50 metres) to reach timber or other cellulose based materials in a structure. They also construct leads (shelter tubes) over vertical surfaces or in wall cavities to retain humidity and protect them from predators. By placing a long life termiticide into the soil or fill, to the areas that are vulnerable to subterranean termite attack the structure is isolated from termite galleries. This forms a barrier which acts as a contact poison killing any termite that comes in contact with the treated area. When the colony realises that workers (the food gatherers) are being destroyed it ceases to send them to that location.

There are currently 4 types of Chemical Termiticides available. These are Chlorpyrifos, Bifenthrin, Imidacloprid and Fipronil.

Chlorpyrifos is the oldest Termiticide and is nearly 50 years old. It is an organophosphate and acts as a contact poison. Because it is formulated with solvents it has a high odour and a high airborne residue. There are many brands of this product but it has a very short life especially in alkaline soils. It is the most toxic to mammals and the least effective of all termiticides. It is not recommended by this company.

Bifenthrin is a Synthetic Pyrethroid which also contains solvents and emulsifiers. It has low odour and acts as a contact poison. It also has a repellency action. It spreads poorly in soil and because of this, drill holes in concrete must be spaced at 200mm or less. There are a number of generic formulations. A newer version uses different chemistry and has no odour.

Premise termite control termiticide (Imidaclorprid) is manufactured by Bayer Environmental Science. It is a non repellent material which is highly successful. It has no odour or airborne residue and is completely safe to humans and other mammals. Non-repellent means that termites do not detect that the Premise is present. Termites are socially interactive insects. They live together in a colony and rely on each other for survival. Worker termites forage for food and feed other colony members thru a process called Trophalaxis. Soldier insects protect the colony from outside invaders. All termites assist each other in grooming. Without feeding, grooming and protecting each other, the colony would not survive.

It is the safest termiticide by far and because of its unique actions it is exceptionally effective. In addition to acting as a contact poison it also lowers termite resistance to fungal attack when the termites pass through the barrier which has been formed. Recent research has shown that termites unknowingly pick up Premise termite control termiticide and transfer the material to other termites resulting in elimination of the colony. Premise termite control termiticide has been in use in Australia for over 8 years following a two year trial regime in actual residential sites. Because it has no odour, termites move freely through treated areas and it is consequently more effective than the other earlier termiticides. Premise termite control termiticide spreads further in soil than other termiticides and for this reason, holes need only be drilled at 300mm intervals.

Bayer Environmental Science calls the Premise termite control termiticide transfer attribute it’s Domino Effect, which means Premise not only kills termites, but also substantially reduces or eliminates termite colonies. Together these attributes have proven to be highly effective termite eliminator.

Premise termite control termiticide has delivered reliable elimination of termite problems in more than 1 million homes in the USA. Premise has been in use in Australia for over eight years following a two year trial regime in actual residential sites.

Termidor (fipronil) is the newest termiticide and like Premise it is a non repellent product. Like Premise, termites do not realise that the product is there and consequently they can "pick up" the product and take it back to the colony. This can eliminate the colony over time.

Termidor is applied as a treatment to the soil surrounding existing structures. Traditionally these types of applications are referred to as chemical barriers, although in the case of Termidor, the chemical does not act in the same way as many older chemicals. Rather than a barrier that repels termites, Termidor acts as a non-repellent treated zone, which allows termites to enter and therefore more efficiently killed.

The reason for this is that Termidor is undetectable to termites. Termites will actually enter the treated zone, where Termidor binds to their cuticle. Once this has occurred, it is only a matter of time before they are killed. And time is not on their side. Termidor’s unique Transfer Effect™ ensures that the Termidor is passed from one termite to the next and as a result even termites that have not directly come into contact with the treated soil can pick up a lethal dose.