Understanding Termite Management Systems for New Homes

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is a termite management system?
• Why are termite management systems installed?
• Where are termite management systems installed in new homes?
• The different types of termite management systems
  • Physical termite management systems
    • Stainless steel termite barrier mesh
    • Granite chip termite barrier
  • Chemical Termite Management Systems
    • Chemically impregnated termite blankets
    • Chemical termite reticulation systems
    • Chemical termite treatments applied to soil
• Frequently Asked Questions

Termite management systems are very important protection mechanisms for new homes. They are designed to reduce the risk of termites, often mistakenly referred to as “white ants,” from entering a home and destroying the timber inside.

Termites are extremely destructive pests that consume both living and dead wood. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support their colonies. Their insatiable appetite results in some unfortunate Australian homeowners having to pay tens of thousands of dollars in repair bills, with some homes needing to be demolished due to irreparable structural damage.

Regrettably, home and contents insurance doesn’t cover termite damage because it is considered ‘preventable’. This then leaves termite management systems alone to protect homes.

To give homeowners confidence when deciding on which termite management system they want in their new home, we’ve created this guide that covers:

• Why termite management systems are installed,
• What a termite management system is,
• Where termite management systems are installed and;
• What the different types of termite management systems are and their benefits and limitations.

If you have discovered termites in your established home, do not disturb them, as you may impact the ability to treat them effectively. Instead, immediately book a termite inspection with your nearest Termitrust Pest Control service centre so that a qualified technician can accurately determine the extent of the infestation.

What is a termite management system?

A termite management system installed during the construction of a home, commonly referred to as a pre-construction termite barrier, comprises of physical and/or chemical components to prevent subterranean termites from entering a home through concealed entry.

Installing a termite management system is a requirement for buildings constructed in areas where subterranean termites are known to present a potential risk of attack [1]. Part 3.4 Termite risk management within the National Construction Code 2022 outlines the full requirements for termite management systems.

Two types of termite management systems methods exist:

• Physical termite barrier systems consisting of components that termites can’t physically pass through to enter a building and;
• Chemical termite barrier systems that are installed or sprayed during construction and then periodically maintained throughout the life of the home.

Why are termite management systems installed?

Termite management systems are installed to provide homeowners with some assurance that their most important and valuable asset is protected. This proactive measure helps homeowners avoid the emotional distress caused by discovering termite damage and the sudden financial impact of having to arrange and pay for repairs out of pocket.

Where are termite management systems installed in new homes?

Depending on the method chosen, termite management systems are installed:

• Along the perimeter of the building.
• Around service penetrations that pass through the concrete slab.
• Underneath a poured concrete slab.

The different types of termite management systems

Physical termite management systems

Physical termite management systems create a physical obstruction that termites cannot penetrate or bypass. They force termites to remain away from homes and do not use chemicals to kill termites.

Here are the benefits and limitations of termite barrier mesh and granite chip barriers, two commonly installed physical termite barriers.

Close up of Termimesh stainless steel termite barrier mesh.

Stainless steel termite barrier mesh

Stainless steel termite barrier mesh is a type of physical termite barrier that is installed during the early stages of construction. Its permanent inclusion inside a building prevents concealed termite entry and damage without using poison or other chemical treatments.

Stainless steel termite barrier mesh is an engineered solution manufactured from finely woven stainless steel wires. It creates a physical barrier too small for termites to pass through and too strong for termites to chew through.

Our termite barrier mesh, Termimesh, pioneered this termite management method and continues to be the preferred choice among architects, builders and homeowners.

Benefits:

• Once-off installation: Termite barrier mesh requires only a once-off installation
• Corrosion resistance: The corrosion-resistant properties of stainless steel allow termite barrier mesh to be installed in harsh environments, making its effectiveness against termites last for decades.
• Chemical-free: Termite barrier mesh doesn’t use chemical termiticides or poisons, making it safe for humans, animals and the environment.
• Save money over the long term: No chemical retreatments save homeowners thousands of dollars on termite retreatments throughout homeownership.

Limitations:

• Installation complexity: The installation process of termite barrier mesh is more time-consuming and complex than other termite barrier solutions.
• Does not kill termites: Stainless steel termite mesh barriers only impede termite entry and do not kill termites or their colonies in much the same way as a fly screen keeps flies and mosquitos outside of a home.
• High upfront cost: A termite management system that uses termite barrier mesh usually costs more than other methods.

Image to illustrate roughly what granite chips look like, as an image of an installed granite chip termite barrier can’t be sourced.

Granite chip termite barrier

Granite chip termite barriers are made from graded stone chips and are applied during construction. They are installed around the perimeter and service penetrations of a building to stop concealed termite entry. This type of barrier is not readily used due to advancements in termite management technology.

Granite chip barriers don’t use chemicals and deter termites by:

• Having stone chips that are too large and heavy for termites to move,
• Being inedible and;
• Creating gaps too small for termites to move through. 

Benefits:

• Once-off installation: Granite chip termite barriers require only a once-off installation.
• Good for extensions: This type of termite barrier is easy to apply if building extensions are required.
• Longevity: The use of granite chips allows the barrier to remain effective for decades.
• Doesn’t use chemicals: Granite chip barriers don’t use chemical termiticides or poisons, making them safe for humans, animals and the environment.
• Long-term savings: No chemical retreatments save homeowners thousands of dollars on termite retreatments throughout homeownership.

Limitations:

• Ineffective against larger termites: Standard-sized granite chip termite barriers are not suitable for installation in areas north of the Tropic of Capricorn, where larger termites are present and can easily move through the granite chips.
• Installation complexity: The installation process is more time-consuming and complex than other termite barriers and needs to be installed correctly to ensure large gaps aren’t left for termites to squeeze through.
• Does not kill termites: Granite chip termite barriers only impede termite entry and do not kill termites or their colonies.
• High upfront cost: Granite chip termite barriers incur a high upfront cost, which is usually more than that of other termite barrier methods. This cost is mostly associated with transporting dense material.

Chemical Termite Management Systems

Chemical termite management systems use chemicals called termiticides to repel and/or kill termites and their colonies. These systems can be installed or sprayed during construction but require ongoing maintenance for the life of the home to prevent termite infestation.

The termiticides used within these systems generally remain effective for 5 to 10 years before a chemical reapplication is required. The total cost of reapplications over the homeownership period typically far exceeds the once-off installation cost of a physical termite barrier system.

Here are the benefits and limitations of chemically impregnated termite blankets, chemical termite reticulation systems and chemical termite treatments applied to soil.

Smartfilm chemically impregnated termite blankets installed around the perimeter of a concrete ground slab.

Chemically impregnated termite blankets

Chemically impregnated termite blankets are created by impregnating geotextiles or sandwiching polymer sheets with termiticide. These barriers are installed around the perimeter and service penetrations of a building to stop concealed termite entry. Smartfilm is an example of a geotextile blanket used to protect new homes.

Benefits:

• Low upfront cost: Chemical impregnated blankets are installed quickly and made from inexpensive materials, allowing them to have a lower upfront cost than physical termite barriers.
• They repel or kill termites: The termiticides within the blankets repel, or by poison, kill termites.

Limitations:

• Limited lifespan: The effectiveness of the termiticide used within the blankets falls over time.
• Retreatments required: Homes that have blankets installed will eventually require chemical retreatments to maintain the former level of termite protection.
• Not a physical barrier: Chemical termite blankets do not provide a physical barrier against termites once the termiticide has lost effectiveness.
• Ongoing costs: Homeowners must periodically pay a pest control company for drill and inject retreatments through paving, concrete or aggregate around the home to continue receiving termite protection.

Chemical termite reticulation system installed into a trench

Chemical termite reticulation systems

Chemical termite reticulation systems are rechargeable piping systems that deliver liquid termiticides to the soil under and around homes. Once the initial treatment of termiticide loses its effectiveness, new termiticide can be pumped through the system without disturbing any soil.

Benefits:

• Avoids drill and inject retreatments: Reticulation systems eliminate the need for drill and inject termite retreatments.
• Easy reapplication: Chemical termite reticulation systems allow pest control technicians to easily replenish termiticide once the original treatment has lost effectiveness.
• They kill termites: The termiticides used poison and kill termites, and potentially, termite colonies.

Limitations:

• Limited lifespan: The effectiveness of the termiticide used falls over time.
• Retreatments required: Retreatments are periodically required to ensure the home remains protected from termites.
• Not a physical barrier: Chemical termite reticulation systems do not provide a physical barrier against termites once the termiticide has lost effectiveness.
• Ongoing costs: Homeowners must periodically pay a pest control company to recharge their system with termiticide to maintain termite protection.

Pest control technician hand-spraying liquid termiticide directly onto soil which will have a concrete ground slab poured on top.

Chemical termite treatments applied to soil

Chemical termite treatments applied to soil involve hand-spraying liquid termiticides directly into the soil of the property. This chemical method of termite management is now primarily only used in Western Australia.

Liquid termiticide is applied to soil that will sit underneath the slab, garage floor and outside walls of a home. This type of barrier acts as a deterrent to termites.

Benefits:

• Low upfront cost: Chemical termite treatments applied to soil are quick to apply, making them one of the cheapest termite barrier options available.
• They kill termites: The termiticides sprayed kill termites, and potentially, termite colonies.

Limitations:

• Limited lifespan: The effectiveness of the termiticide used falls over time.
• Retreatments required: Retreatments are periodically required to ensure the home remains protected from termites. Reapplication of termiticide can only be completed around the perimeter of the home, as the soil underneath the slab can’t be fully accessed.
• Not a physical barrier: Chemical termite treatments applied to soil do not provide a physical barrier against termites once the termiticide has lost effectiveness.
• Barrier is easily broken: Disturbing treated soil may leave the home vulnerable to termite attack. For example, when installing garden beds, paving or landscaping on the property.
• Ongoing costs: Homeowners must periodically pay a pest control company for drill and inject retreatments through paving, concrete or aggregate around the home to continue receiving termite protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are termites a risk to homes in Australia?

A. Yes, termites are a significant risk to homes in Australia. The often warm and humid climate of Australia allows termites to thrive in many regions. The termite hazard map below shows how prevalent termites are across Australia.

Termite hazard map showing how prevalent termites are across Australia, from being negligible through to very high.

Q. How much do termite management systems cost?

A. The cost of termite management systems in Australia varies depending on several factors, including the size of the property, whether the barrier is physical or chemical and the complexity of the installation. Only once these factors are known can an exact cost for a termite management system be calculated.

Q. How often do termite barriers need to be inspected or maintained?

A. Termite barriers should be inspected at least once a year by a qualified pest control technician to ensure that the barrier remains intact and effective.

For chemical termite barriers, reapplication of termiticide might be necessary every 5 to 8 years, depending on the product used and local environmental conditions. Physical termite barriers generally require less frequent maintenance, but it’s still important to inspect them periodically to ensure they haven’t been compromised by construction work, landscaping, or other factors.

References

[1] https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/housing-provisions/3-site-preparation/part-34-termite-risk-management