Barrier treatments to control subterranean termites involve applying a liquid termiticide around and beneath your home. This creates a barrier that helps keep termites outside or eliminates those that come into contact with the treated area.
Repellent treatments like Demon® and Prevail® repel termites so they don’t cross the treated area into the home. Unfortunately, displaced soil and small breaks in the chemical treatment ring can allow termites to break through this repellent barrier.
Newer liquid treatments like Termidor® termiticide/insecticide, Phantom® termiticide/insecticide and Premise® allow termites to freely forage in the treated zone where they come in contact with the termiticide. Those termites then spread the termiticide to others in the colony away from the treated area, helping knock down the population. These “undetectable” liquid products can seem more expensive, but also are more effective. In fact, ongoing field trials by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show no signs of termite damage in covered slab plots treated with Termidor WG at labeled rates for more than 14 years after treatment. No other available liquid termite treatment has demonstrated such complete effectiveness.
Barrier treatments can be used with bait systems, depending on the situation.
Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Liquid Termiticides1
Advantages
- Provides immediate protection for the structure.
- Can be inexpensive compared to termite baiting systems.
- Last multiple years.
- Nonrepellent products like Termidor eliminate the potential of termites locating “gaps” in the treatment barrier.
Disadvantages
- With traditional repellent barriers, even the most conscientious pest control operator may have difficulty putting down a chemical barrier that is free of “gaps” – which may later provide an entry point for termites.
- In areas near water, baiting may be a better option to help prevent water contamination.
- Drilling into concrete or other areas of termite entry may be required.
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