Everything Homeowners Need to Know About the Termimesh System
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is the Termimesh System?
- Who is the Termimesh System for?
- Why do homeowners choose the Termimesh System?
- How does the Termimesh System work?
- Where is the Termimesh System installed?
- How do I get the Termimesh System?
- What warranty does the Termimesh System have?
- How to maintain your Termimesh System
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Termites are a significant threat to homes in Australia. Every year, more than $1.5 billion in damages can be attributed to these destructive insects¹. Once termites make their way inside your home, these silent destroyers can eat any timber, both aesthetic and structural, often compromising the integrity of your whole house!
The worst part is that termites often go undetected by homeowners until it’s too late, leading to termite damage that can spread across the entire home. Home insurance policies do not cover termite damage so, it is essential to be proactive in your termite protection choices.
The first step in safeguarding your home is to have a termite management system installed. The Australian Building Standards (AS3660.1)² require that all new homes must have a termite management system to prevent this costly damage.
Our highly effective, poison free Termimesh System delivers whole of home protection by physically preventing concealed termite entry in homes and buildings.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you as a homeowner need to know about our market leading marine grade stainless steel termite barrier and the system it is a part of, giving you a fantastic understanding of why it is the benchmark for termite protection in Australia.
What is the Termimesh System?
The Termimesh System is an Australian invention developed in the late 1980’s as an alternative to termite management methods that relied on organochlorine pesticides.
Despite what most people believe, Termimesh is more than just stainless steel termite barrier mesh. It’s actually a series of physical components that, when combined together, form a complete physical termite management system.
Three major components come together to form the system:
- Our proprietary grade TMA725 stainless steel mesh
- Our specially formulated bonding cement called Termiparge and;
- High quality stainless steel clamps
Installed during the construction of a home, our stainless steel termite barrier acts as a heavy duty security screen to keep termites out.
Who is the Termimesh System for?
The Termimesh System is for people who are building a new home or an investment property. Our system can also be installed in other types of new structures, such as apartment buildings, retail stores and industrial facilities.
As our system is installed during the early stages of construction, it is only suitable for new builds and extensions to established homes. Unfortunately, it cannot be retrofitted into established homes.
You only get one opportunity to choose the termite management system for your new home, so it is important to consider your options before finalising your build.
Why do homeowners choose the Termimesh System?
Homeowners select the Termimesh System because they recognise the importance of being proactive about protecting their new home from termites. They appreciate that our system is a long-term, cost-effective solution.
Beyond its primary purpose of keeping termites out of homes, our system delivers numerous other benefits.
It’s poison free
Our stainless steel termite barrier provides a sustainable, environmentally responsible solution for termite protection by eliminating the use of potentially harmful poisons, ensuring families and pets avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals. 
It provides protection for the life of the building with minimal ongoing maintenance
Requiring a once off installation and minimal ongoing maintenance, the Termimesh System remains in place for the life of the building, delivering an ongoing effective barrier against termites. 
Chemical retreatments are never required
As the Termimesh System is a physical barrier, it does not require ongoing chemical retreatments to maintain effectiveness. 
This provides property owners with peace of mind that their home has long term protection and is not reliant on the diminishing efficacy of chemical termite management systems. The cost associated with chemical termite retreatments is also eliminated, allowing homeowners to save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the home.
It’s backed by our industry leading warranty
The Termimesh System is backed by our industry leading Pledge Guarantee warranty, which provides ongoing assurance long after your system has been installed into your home.
Read more about the Pledge Guarantee later in the article.
How to select a termite management system that’s right for you
Selecting a termite management system that is right for your new home should not be simply based on cost alone. There are several factors you should consider and compare before making a final decision.
We strongly advise homeowners to research and compare all termite management systems on the market in order to select a system that meets your unique requirements. The system you ultimately select should be given as much thought as the other inclusions you choose for your home, if not more. 
The table below compares the Termimesh System against alternative termite management systems available on the market to Australian homeowners. To learn more about termite management systems, read our recent blog.
How does the Termimesh System work?
The Termimesh System acts as a physical barrier against termites. The stainless steel mesh is too hard for termites to chew through and too small for them to squeeze through, preventing termites from accessing a home through concealed entry points.
Key concealed entry points protected by our stainless steel termite barrier include the perimeter of the home and around service pipes that penetrate through the concrete slab. Depending on the construction style of the home, other concealed entry points may require protection.
Where is the Termimesh System installed?
Accredited Termimesh technicians are the only people who are allowed to install the Termimesh System. This ensures that correct procedures are followed, significantly reducing the likelihood of termites breaching the system.
We apply various techniques depending on the construction style of the home. Some common locations where we install our system include:
- Around the entire perimeter of the concrete slab, blocking termites from entering through via the wall cavity.
- Around pipes (service penetrations) entering through the concrete slab, which prevents termites from entering through gaps that form once the concrete slab cures.
- Along zero lot boundary walls, where walls are constructed close to or directly on the property boundary. This helps prevent termites from entering via the wall cavity.
- Along paths and driveways that touch (abutting) the perimeter of the concrete slab, preventing termites from entering through the gap between the path or driveway and the concrete slab.
The diagrams below demonstrate where the Termimesh System is installed on a perimeter cavity wall and a service penetration.
How do I get the Termimesh System?
All homes legally require a termite management system to be installed during construction².
Many builders include the Termimesh System as the standard termite protection method in their contracts. However, if not, you always have the option to request an alternate system to what they offer. Simply ask your builder for Termimesh.
Much like the bricks, tiles and many other construction components of the home, your builder will source your home a termite management system, including the Termimesh System.
We work closely with many builders and provide our system directly. Before engaging with a builder, it’s worth considering what termite management system they include as standard and whether it will meet your requirements.
If you are working with a designer or architect, the same applies. Architects often recommend the Termimesh System due to its environmentally friendly, poison free properties and alignment with sustainable design principles. Simply discuss termite management systems with them or ask your architect to specify the Termimesh System in your build.
What warranty does the Termimesh System have?
Unlike the warranties for alternative termite management systems, our Pledge Guarantee does not require compulsory annual termite inspections for the first 10 years following installation. Plus, homeowners have the opportunity to extend their coverage beyond this period, which can deliver continued protection throughout the life of the building*.
Discover more about our Pledge Guarantee and all of its benefits here.
*Pledge Guarantee terms and conditions apply Â
How to register your Pledge Guarantee
It’s important to register your Pledge Guarantee to receive the ongoing benefits it provides. You can fill out the registration card included in the handover pack from your builder, or you can register online.
For more details, or to register your Pledge Guarantee, speak with your local Termimesh team or visit our Pledge Guarantee page.
How to maintain your Termimesh System
One of the great advantages of the Termimesh System is that it requires minimal ongoing maintenance compared to chemical termite management systems.
Once your home has been built, we recommend the following few simple practices to help ensure your new home continues to be protected by our system.
- As termites are attracted to cellulose rich materials, such as timber, leaf litter and wood-based building products, it is important not to store these materials against the perimeter of your home. These items against your home may provide termites with an opportunity to breach your barrier.
- When having extensions or renovations done to your home, always consult your nearest Termi Home & Commercial service centre on what steps to take to prevent damage to your system.
- Understanding what the common signs of termite activity are could save you a lot of money, time and stress. Read our recent blog on five of the common signs of termite infestation.
- Ensure you have regular termite inspections. Although we don’t require annual termite inspections for the first 10 years to maintain your Pledge Guarantee, we do recommend them in line with the Australian Standard (AS3660.1).
Learn more about termite inspections here.
Conclusion
Protecting your home from termites is an essential part of homeownership in Australia. The Termimesh System provides homeowners with a proven, poison free solution that safeguards their home from concealed termite entry for the life of the building.
With minimal maintenance, no chemical retreatments and the backing of our industry leading Pledge Guarantee, the Termimesh System is truly the benchmark for termite management systems in Australia. Â
Have a question you still need answered?
We’ve covered everything a homeowner needs to know about the Termimesh System. However, if you still have any questions, just reach out to our friendly team. 
Send us an enquiry or give us a call, we are always happy to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions Â
Q. How effective is the Termimesh System?
A. The Termimesh System been extensively tested to ensure its effectiveness in preventing termite entry. It has been independently assessed by the CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific research agency, confirming that termites cannot penetrate the system.
Q. Does Termimesh kill termites, or does it just stop them from getting into my home?
A. The Termimesh System does not kill termites. Instead, it acts as a physical barrier to prevent termites from accessing your home through concealed entry points.
Q. Does the Termimesh System work with all home designs and construction types?
A. Yes, the Termimesh System is suitable for most home designs and construction types. However, the installation method may vary depending on the state or location of your home. If you are unsure whether the system is right for your build, consult your local Termi Home & Commercial service centre.
Q. How much does the Termimesh System cost?
A. The cost of the Termimesh System depends on several factors, including the size of your home, how it’s constructed and the number of termite entry points requiring protection.
An estimator from Termi Home & Commercial will provide your builder with a cost based on these factors. While the initial cost of the Termimesh System may exceed other termite management systems, the long term savings from eliminating chemical retreatments over the first 10 years may in fact make our system a more cost-effective solution.
