Termite treatments.

The most important part of any successful treatment is the inspection.

Do not accept any quotes without an inspection report being issued. Section 4 of the Australian Standards 3660.2-2000 clearly states that a termite management company or consultant must supply a written quotation in addition to an inspection report. How can anyone understand what they are dealing with if they have not fully investigated the situation? Don’t let your home be treated just like anyone else’s. Every home is different and every termite infestation is different and needs to be treated as an individual case, not just grouped with every other job.

Infestation elimination.

Section 5.3.1 of the Australian Standards states that wherever possible, initial treatments should be aim at colony elimination. Of course this is not always possible. Where it is not possible then destruction of the termite infestation should be obtained. Here are the methods employed by Osborne’s Pest management Services.

 1. Dustings. Apply Termidor dust into the workings of the termites, making sure as many termites are dusted as possible. At least several thousand termites will need to be dusted to gain colony elimination. Other factors will be species of termite and distance to the colony. We choose Termidor dust over the other available dusts because it affects all species and kills fairly quickly while still allowing transfer of the dust through the colony. We do not use Arsenic due to the fact of extreme toxicity and the fact it really only works well on one species of termite.

2. Baiting requires the attachment of a Sentricon above ground bait station to any active termite working located and the regular replacement of the bait. This method may take several months depending on species of termite. Once eradication of the colony has been achieved the installation of the treated zone can be commenced.

3. Foaming. This method involves the introduction of an insecticide with a foaming agent into the termite workings. This process may have to be repeated several times to affect the termite colony.

Chemical treated zones.

What is a treated zone? Basically it is an area that has been treated with a chemical to impede or discourage concealed termite entry into a building. We also know them as barriers, however this implies that there is something there that will stop termites, this however is not possible, modern chemicals are designed to impede or discourage concealed termite entry. The Australian Standard 3660.2-2000 states that where chemicals are to be used they must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Appendix E of the standard. Please read the highlighted extracts from the Australian Standards. This is where the inspection is so important, we have to then determine if the house is suitable to a treated zone, if we can simply install an external treated zone or whether we have to apply a treated zone to under the slab as well.

An external treated zone is applied by trenching around the entire perimeter of the building to allow a continuous and unbroken treated zone. The treated zone must be at least 150 mm wide by at least 50 mm below the level of possible termite ingress. This includes around pipes entering through the footings or brickwork. So how can we achieve this where there is concrete abutting the house, we have the concrete cut and removed to allow the trenching. An external treated zone is a combination of a horizontal and a vertical barrier.

So which product is best if your home is to be treated with a chemical treated zone? In our opinion there is only one choice, “TERMIDOR”. Termidor when applied correctly has never failed. We only use Termidor and are accredited Termidor applicators. We also use and recommend the “TermX” replenishment system, which is a pipe we can lay in the trenches that we can reapply chemical to at a later date. This means when we take up your concrete and you have it relayed we can apply treatments. For more information on TERMIDOR go to www.termidor.com.au. For more info on TermX replenishment system please go to www.termx.com.au.

Why not drill the concrete? Drilling of external concrete does not comply with Australian Standard 3660.2-2000, it is not mentioned in the standard and it cannot achieve a continuous and unbroken treated zone down to the depths described in the Australian Standards. The mud tunnels that the termites use to gain entry into your home are water proof. If you don't break these tunnels apart you can't stop termites full stop. Remember your pest company’s insurance is dependant on full compliance with Australian Standard 3660.2-2000.

6.4.2 Treatment requirements

Barriers should be installed by applying a termiticide at the prescribed rate, in accordance with the approved product label, to form horizontal and, where necessary, vertical barriers.

Where chemical barriers are used, they must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Appendix E. When testing to determine the compliance of vertical and horizontal chemical soil barrier systems, the sampling protocol set out in Appendix F must be used.

To be effective a chemical barrier should be continuous where required at the external perimeter of the structure. However, in some cases it may not be possible or practicable to create a continuous barrier around an existing building or structure and alternative measures may be necessary. In instances where a continuous barrier cannot be achieved, full documentation of the limitations of the barrier has to be provided to the building owner.

Where such documentation has to be provided, it must be in accordance with the provisions provided in Appendix D.

(b) Slab-on-ground Treatment of concrete slab-on-ground may present special problems, especially if the slab is laid on fill.

Barriers and inspection zones shall be continuous around the building perimeter.

Where a soil barrier is to be applied, it shall consist of one or a combination of the following:

(i) A continuous external perimeter horizontal barrier with a vertical barrier, where necessary, in accordance with Appendix E.

NOTE: A perimeter treatment alone may be insufficient to achieve the desired barrier.

Factors such as construction details, soil type and the termite risk in the area determine the extent of treatment required.

E3 SOIL PREPARATION

To allow the required distribution of the applied chemical, and to permit percolation into the soil to a sufficient depth to deter termites from breaching the barrier, the soil shall be prepared as follows:

(a) Removal of contaminants All timber off-cuts, building debris, removable formwork and other waste materials shall be removed from the area to be treated.

E4.3 Vertical barrier

A vertical barrier shall be used to deter termites from gaining concealed horizontal access to the building. The area of treated soil shall —

(a) be at least 150 mm wide, installed to a depth 50 mm below the top of footing;

(b) abut the substructure or substructure wall and footing;

(c) surround all connections between the building and the soil, which provide concealed access to the building, eg. pipes, conduits;

(d) adjoin horizontal barriers; and

(e) continuously surround all portions of stumps or piers that are in the ground where such stumps or piers may provide internal access for termites.

NOTES:

1 Vertical barriers can be installed by excavating trenches, treating the exposed trench, backfilling and treating the backfill.

2 The characteristics of the site determine the most suitable method of application.

E4.4 External perimeter barrier

An exterior perimeter chemical soil barrier shall consist of the following:

(a) A barrier being a minimum of 150 mm wide × a minimum of 80 mm deep and extending not less than 50 mm below the lowest point where the construction below grade could allow concealed termite ingress (see Figures E1 and E2).

(b) A barrier being a minimum of 150 mm wide and extending not less than 50 mm below the top of the footing where the building fabric could allow concealed termite ingress (for example, masonry below finished grade line).

Ask yourself this do I want the job done properly or do I want a cheap job which is incapable of achieving the desired result. After all what have you got to loose only your home.

Where the customer accepts our full recommendation and rectifies all conducive conditions we will apply the PestWise Timber Pest Insurance which will cover you for up to $100,000.00 worth of timber pest damage.

 Exposed footings after concrete was cut and removed and the trench dug to width and depth required in A.S. 3660.2-2000. Below left

The entrance point for the termites was located under this pipe, if the concrete was drilled and injected instead of cut, removed and trenched the treatment would have failed. Above right

                                         

Here the TeremX pipe is added to the trench prior to flooding and back filling. This will allow the pavers to be replaced and a method to retreat down the track without removing the pavers or concrete again.