Termite Monitoring System VS Chemical Barriers Which is Best ?
Termite protection and control Northern Beaches.
When it comes to termite eradication and protection of your property there are 2 main method available on the market today :
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Non-repellent Chemical Termite Barriers, and
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Termite Baiting Systems.
Most pest protection companies will have a preference for either one of the other and may only provide their customers with the method they prefer. This makes it hard for the customer when doing their research to make a informed decision on the pest option for termite control at their property. Here we will try to explain the major differences between termite baiting systems versus chemical termite barriers.
Termite Baiting Systems
What are termite baiting systems and how do they work?
The termite baiting system is made up of a series of bait stations surrounding the border of your home. These stations contain sleeves of eucalyptus timber which are favourable to termites.
The principle of a termite monitoring and baiting system is that termites are intercepted at the monitoring stations before getting to your house. The termite activity in these monitoring stations is picked up by the pest inspector during one of their regular system inspections of the system and if termites are found within any of the stations a bait contain an insect growth regulator is then added to the station which the termites feed on which will ultimately result in the demise of the termite colony attacking your property.
This a perfect example why it is so important to not have any timber in contact with the soil attached to your house such as gate posts etc as termites can use this as an entry point into your property.
The advantages and disadvantages of termite baiting systems
Pros:
- Eco friendly : Termite monitoring / baiting may be the best option in environmentally sensitive situations such as if a termite infested building or structure is close by a waterway and a soil barrier treatment may not be possible due to council regulations etc.
- Safety : Termite monitoring and baiting is very low in toxicity to you, your family, your dog , cat and the environment. The chemical used is less toxic than common table salt and is placed in tamper-resistant plastic stations.
- Total colony elimination : A cascading lethal effect – the insect regulator in the bait stops the termites from regrowing their external skeleton, resulting in the death of the entire termite colony first the workers will die of then the soldiers that rely on the workers to feed them resulting in the complete destruction of the termite conlony attacking your property. This process can be observed by your termite professional giving more confidence the termites have successfully been eradicated.
Cons:
- It can take several months or even years to gain control : Depending on the termite species and situation termite baiting may take several months or even over a year to completely eliminate a termite colony even in favourable circumstances.
- Costly ongoing costs : Not only is there the initial cost of the system being installed it also needs to be constantly monitored and maintained every couple of weeks by your inspector which is a ongoing cost every year that can be very costly over the years.
- No physical protection : Termite monitoring systems offer no physical protection to your house unlike chemical barriers and rely on the termites being picked up in the station when they are randomly foraging for food before they can be treated as termites are blind they do have a chance of missing the stations all together. Also, if the station are not constantly inspected by a professional every couple of weeks the system is useless.
Chemical Termite Barriers
The chemical termite barrier is applied as a continuous chemical soil zone around and under the home. Any existing termite activity will be treated according to Australian Standards (AS3660.2). Correct application by a licensed pest control operator is essential in order to ensure that the treated zone is complete. The chemical moves only a small distance outward from the site of application before binding tightly to organic matter in the soil. This means that product concentration decreases with increasing distance from the site. Termites first come into contact with product at the edge of the treated zone as they tunnel through soil toward the home. At this point, the product is at its lowest concentration. Those termites that do not immediately continue tunneling into the treated zone will survive long enough to transfer the product to others in the colony through normal feeding and grooming. This unique Transfer Effect is devastating to other termites not directly exposed to the treated zone, and indeed may wipe out the entire colony.
The advantages and disadvantages of chemical termite barriers
Pros :
- Cost effective : unlike baiting systems a chemical barrier is a one of cost for the installation of the barrier and doesn’t require ongoing maintenance which over the life of barrier can save you thousands if you compare it to the ongoing costs of baiting systems.
- Physical protection : Chemical barriers provide actual physical protection of your property via the chemical treated zones around the perimeter and underneath of your house meaning termites cant physically entering your house with out first passing these treated zones in which they will be killed when they come in contact.
- Fasting acting : Another positive with chemical barrier treatments is the products eliminates the termites within your property almost instantly compared to baiting systems that can take many months to get a result.
Cons :
- Evasive installation : chemical termite barriers typically require a lot of digging , drilling and even temporary removal of hot water systems and pavers to correctly install the system.
- Not applicable for every situation : chemical termite barriers are not suitable for all construction type also sensitive areas
The ongoing costs of termite protection
With a chemical termite barrier there is no maintaining involved. But To keep the warranty active on each barrier, the customer must have an annual Termite Inspection completed on the house. Not doing this will void your warranty. A Termite Inspection should cost between $250 – $380 depending on the size of your house.
A termite baiting system is a monitoring system and requires a licensed pest controller to come out and check each installed station multiple times over the course of the year. The frequency of visits change depending on the level of activity. Yearly cost of a monitoring system can start from $1200 per year so when you add up the yearly costs of the maintenance of the system over the years it can be very costly to maintain a baiting system compared to a chemical barrier.
Which termite prevention method is better?
When considering whether a termite baiting system or chemical termite barrier is better, it’s our opinion that both methods have their place. You can even combine aspects of both treatments to form your termite management plan for your property.
At Clean and Green Pest Management, we do not push one particular method or product when it comes to termite eradication. We access each property individually and, take into account any preferences you may have, we then make a recommendation on what we believe the best termite treatment option is for you and your situation. Beware of companies that only use one method.
Termite treatment, protection and control Northern Beaches
If you have any questions about removing termites and white ants from your home or business premises, contact the team at Clean and Green Pest Management for obligation free advice. We are your local Northern Beaches pest inspectors specialising in both traditional and the environmentally friendly pest control methods that are safe for your family and pets. Our licensed termite controllers can advise you on the safest and most sustainable ways to control and eradicate termites from your property.
Call 0477 688 496 Text 0477 688 496 Email Us Request a Quote
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