Chemical Options

Below are the chemical options available for your home.  There are two methods for installing a preventative chemical barrier. 
 

Method 1

Full Continuous Barrier. This involves us lifting all the brick paving around your home and then digging a trench to a depth of 80mm below the footings.  We then fill the trench with chemical and back-fill the soil into the trench.  This allows the chemical to bond with the soil and ensures a full continuous barrier around your home.  Upon completion, we put your paving back in place just as it was prior to our arrival.  This is the only method which guarantees that the chemical barrier is continuous all the way around the perimeter of the property. 

The cost varies according to each property’s individual circumstances and we will be able to advise you regarding this once we have assessed the perimeter of your home.

                                                                        Method 2

Drill and Inject (External protection) This involves us drilling through the concrete/paving bricks and injecting the chemical into the ground around the perimeter of your home.  We achieve this by drilling a 13mm hole every 200mm around the perimeter and the chemical is then applied using a probe which injects the chemical into the soil, under the concrete/pavers. 

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing whether there is an obstruction in the soil under the concrete or paving bricks.  A rock, or other object, could be planted in the soil and block the spread of the chemical.  If this happens, there would be gaps in the chemical barrier, leaving your home still susceptible to a termite attack.  As alarming as this may sound, we do everything possible to try and give you the best barrier possible. 

As with all of the work we carry out, we will abide by all product label specifications.  We have been to hundreds if not thousands of properties around Perth and the average drill hole we have found is closer to 400-450mm apart.  Not only is this outside of product label specifications (an illegal treatment), but the chances of a gap in these homes is almost inevitable.  In comparison, we drill every 200 to 250mm apart, thus reducing the chances of a gap in your protective barrier. 

Termidor Chemical Treatment

Chemicals used in termite treatments fall into one of two categories - repellent and non-repellent.  The simplest way to explain the difference is that termites can detect the repellent and they stay away. In the case of the non-repellent variety, which they cannot detect, after foraging through the substance they die. Termidor falls into the non-repellent category and gives you a greater chance of protecting your home from a termite attack.

Termidor is always a good choice when we do not believe we can put a full termite barrier in place. Termidor works by way of a ‘transfer effect’, passing on the chemical from one termite to others during their normal feeding and grooming. 

Once termites forage through the treated zone they will die, but hopefully not before having passed it on throughout the colony.  It’s important to note that termite damage can still occur as termites still come to the property to feed on timber, even though they die soon afterwards.

Termidor is an effective option. Please ask us for a quotation based specifically on your property. 

Although Termidor is not as toxic as other chemicals, it is still a poison and we would strongly recommend that you leave the property for no less than 3 hours upon completion of the treatment.  The latest research shows that Termidor lasts up to 8 years in the soil.

Bifenthrin Chemical Treatment

Bifenthrin is a repellent chemical. This means that termites can detect it and they stay away from the treated area.  In many instances, this achieves the exact result we are aiming for, but potential problems arise when there is any break in the barrier.  Because termites can detect the chemical, they can also detect where it is absent, so unless the barrier is perfect, termites could still gain entry to the home. 

We drill the holes closer together to try and give you the best chance of a continuous chemical barrier around your home.

The time and labour is exactly the same as the Termidor option, the only difference being in the cost of chemical.  With Bifenthrin, we are able to dictate how long the barrier will last based on the amount of active chemical we apply.  Please ask us for a quotation based specifically on your property.