How Long Do Termite Treatments Last?
If you own your own home or an investment property, then you are probably already familiar with termites. While there are various termite treatments available out there, a common question asked is how long does termite treatment last?
On average, however, termite treatment can last about 5 years; this is however a rough estimate. Unfortunately, as there are many variants and factors that determine how long a particular treatment will last, without sounding dismissive, it really does come down to a number of factors which include:
- The chemicals used
- The type of termite (these may include subterranean termites or drywood termites)
- The degree of the infestation and how bad your termite problem is
- Your home environment (whether or not it is easy to access all wood components in your property to treat infestations)
More factors on how long termite treatments last also depend on how treatments are applied and who installs your barrier treatment. All these factors are elements that contribute to the longevity of your barrier termite treatment.
Read on, as we cover some of the more common methods for pest control when battling termites and how long each type of treatment/solution may last.
How Long Does Termite Treatment Last Using A Chemical Barrier?
Many years ago (20+ years), homes were built with a termite barrier treatment that was installed under the slab. They only lasted 12 months if that, as it was a requirement that new builds had to include something, but there were no guidelines as to how long it was expected to last.
With more advanced technology and companies now providing far superior products and more effective termite treatments. There are now more products available on the market that will last up to 8-10 years.
What Is A Chemical Termite Barrier?
In a nutshell, a termite chemical barrier is a chemically treated area that surrounds the perimeter of a building or structure. The chemical can also be applied beneath the soil around the perimeter of the foundation and around your home. This area or “zone” typically lies beneath the ground and is a specifically targeted area that is positioned in order to disrupt the termite’s natural path.
The chemicals used to create this barrier essentially prevent the termites from breaching the treated area to stop doing damage to the property. Termites that come into direct contact with the barrier is killed off. Over time the entire termite colony is killed off as the effects of the chemical barrier is passed between the termites themselves.
Legislation changed to protect the homeowner (between 2001 – 2004), with the building code stipulating that chemical treatments on a new build could not be used unless it was able to be re-added (replenished), overtime to ensure that it remained effective.
This then led to a physical termite barrier – But how long do physical termite treatments last? Read on.
How Long Does Termite Treatment Last Using A Physical Barrier?
Another effective form of pest control is a physical termite barrier. Rather than using chemicals, physical termite barriers simply keep them at bay and restrict termites from entering homes.
These types of barriers can last for up to 20 years, but they are not as effective as a chemical barrier. Obviously, having a physical barrier is better than having nothing at all, but it’s important to remember that it is not foolproof and you may still end up with a termite infestation.
What Is A Physical Termite Barrier?
A well-installed physical barrier essentially works in conjunction with the property and construction elements. It is designed to prevent concealed termite entry into the home and is normally installed during the construction stage of a new home build; it sits around the perimeter of the house against the brickwork. Physical termite barriers are popular as they also provide the least-toxic method of termite barrier treatment for new buildings. They can also offer long-lasting protection for your property without the need to continually top it up with additional chemicals.
It is also a compulsory part of the building code and it’s important that your builder includes this as part of your tender.
What is a Termite Bait Station?
These are alternative treatment options but are a lot different from other barriers available. Termite Baiting stations are designed to act as an early warning indicator, which allows homeowners to act prior to any substantial damage taking place.
How Do Bait Stations Work?
Termite bait stations work well as they designed to work in conjunction with the natural behaviour of termites. They are particularly effective around your property, as not only do they target individual termites but also works to kill off the actual nest too.
- They work by attracting termites to the station by using bits of timber which termites consider to be an attractive food source.
- Termite bait stations are generally placed approximately 3 meters apart around the perimeter of a property. The number of stations and placement of baiting stations are best carried out by an experienced pest controller.
- The termites are eventually affected and the main colony too and eventually die off. It may however take months for termites to find the baits and return them to their colony so patience is the key.
A lot more time and effort is required by the homeowner to maintain baiting stations, as they usually need to be checked and replenished on a monthly basis.
If active termites are found, then another bait station will need to be added to eliminate the colony.
Does A Longer Lifespan Mean More Efficiency?
In short, no. Many termite treatments available today offer a longer lifespan, but this can be misleading and inaccurate. Some products that offer a longer lifespan act as a repellent that termites will avoid if they detect certain products in the soil, meaning that product is then useless.
Termites are clever, they will work around particular termite treatments and products and still find a way to make it into your home.
Speak to your trusted pest control provider and ask what options are available that best suit your home and block. You want to use a product that goes undetected by termites and allows them to take the chemical back to their main nest, which will then result in their colony being eliminated.
More Information On Termites
If you’re keen to read other articles from Houspect on termite pest control, follow some of these links :
Concerned You Have A Termite Issue? Houspect Can Help Arrange Your Termite Inspection
If you believe you may have an infestation, its important to act sooner rather than later for effective termite treatment. Houspect can help to arrange termite inspections with independent professional termite inspection companies who will help inspect for any evidence of old termite activity as well as current infestations, documenting any infestations and any visible damage caused by termites.
