Termites work in silence. They lurk out of sight, behind walls, eating away at the structure of your home. Each year, they cause billions of dollars in damage to homes across the United States. Needless to say, all Maryland homeowners want to find solutions to keep them out.
That’s where termite barriers come in. Termite barriers come in both physical and chemical forms. They can work to block termite entry points, repel or kill termites, preventing damage to your home. They’re among the most effective long-term solutions to mitigate subterranean termite issues in the US. But are they the right choice for your home?
In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of termite barriers, how they function, their pros and cons, and whether they’re the right choice for your situation.
Types of Termite Barriers
The first step in determining if you need a termite barrier for your home is understanding what they are in the first place. As the name implies, termite barriers are systems put in place to prevent termites from entering your home.
There are two primary types: physical and chemical. Both work to achieve a similar long-term goal, but use different approaches to get the job done.
1. Physical Barriers
Physical termite barriers are devices that make it impossible for termites to access the home in the first place. These systems are typically installed during construction or major renovations.
The benefits of physical barriers are that they offer long-term protection with little to no maintenance and don’t rely on potentially dangerous chemicals. Common examples include:
- Stainless steel mesh: Placed under concrete slabs, around pipes, or in wall cavities, this fine mesh is impenetrable to termites.
- Crushed granite or stone: Specially sized particles are used as a foundation layer. Termites can’t tunnel through the sharp, dense material.
- Plastic sheeting or membranes: Termite-resistant polymer films are laid beneath foundations to prevent hidden entry.
2. Chemical Barriers
Chemical barriers work to achieve a similar goal to physical barriers in that they use chemicals to repel or kill termites. They can prevent termites from entering or exiting a home, making them an effective way to deal with existing termite problems and prevent new ones from starting.
How Termite Barriers Work
The goal of any termite barrier is to simply keep termites out. The difference is in how the job is executed.
Think of physical barriers as walls that make it physically impossible for termites to enter in the first place. In contrast, chemical barriers use pesticides and repellents to achieve nearly the same goal.
If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, don’t fall under the impression that you’re limited to one or the other. If you’re in a position to do so, you can use both to deal with termite infestations. That said, your options largely depend on the current state of the home, your budget, and the extent of the termite problem you’re dealing with.
Effectiveness of Physical Barriers in Different Home Types
The termite barrier you choose is heavily reliant on a few aspects. Key among them is the state of the property you’re dealing with. Whether it’s a new construction, renovation, or a home you’re currently living in, there will be several different types of termite barriers to choose from.
- New Construction: Physical barriers can be easily installed early in construction. Stainless steel mesh or membranes at the foundation and strategic termite entry points can work to prevent termites from entering the home. Chemical barriers can be added in the later stages of construction.
- Existing Homes: Retrofitting a physical barrier is difficult and often impractical, depending on your goals. However, some physical barriers can be installed during a major renovation. Chemical barriers are still always more affordable and easier to install at this stage in a home’s life.
Pros and Cons of Termite Barriers vs. Other Treatments
Termite barriers are not the only termite treatment option you have available to you. There are other methods that can be extremely effective. That makes it a little more difficult to determine which is best for your situation. To help you decide, we’ve outlined some of the pros and cons of termite barriers.
Pros
- Long-term protection: Termite barriers are long-term solutions to termite infestations, often outlasting other treatments.
- Preventative solution: Instead of simply killing termites, barriers can work to prevent termites from entering the home in the first place.
- Reduced maintenance: termite barriers need little maintenance once installed.
- Discreet: Unlike other treatments, termite barriers are completely hidden from sight.
Cons
- Installation challenges: Physical barriers are difficult to install as they require access to a home’s foundation.
- Upfront cost: Termite barriers demand higher initial costs than other termite solutions, but are often more cost-effective in the long run.
- Not foolproof: While effective and low maintenance, they aren’t foolproof. It’s still important to have regular inspections to ensure they’re working.
- Chemical exposure risk: Chemical barriers use pesticides that can be dangerous if contacted directly.
In any case, it’s always wise to contact professionals for advice. Pest control specialists can assess your situation to help you pick the best possible solution. Experience dealing with termite infestations and abundant resources are key to effectively preventing termites from regularly destroying homes.
FAQs
Do termite barriers completely stop infestations?
If properly installed, termite barriers can do a great deal in mitigating termite problems. No solution is foolproof, though. It’s still important to regularly inspect your home to determine if the barriers are working after they’re installed.
How long do chemical termite barriers last?
Most professional-grade chemical barriers last 5-10 years, though that will largely depend on the exact compounds used and how well they’re applied. Termite pressure in your area and soil condition are also contributing factors to a chemical barrier’s lifespan.
Are termite barriers safe for children and pets?
Physical barriers are completely safe. Chemical barriers can be a different story as they contain harmful pesticides. They are designed to be safe when properly applied and the right precautions are taken during application, which is why it’s best to work with a professional when using them.