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GENERAL
What most people don't know is that termite barriers don't actually stop termites getting into the house, they just stop hidden entry. The barriers are inspection systems rather than prevention systems. Regular inspections use the barriers to look for termite entry at pre-determined locations then termite activity can be controlled as required.
Subterranean termites have been called the “most important wood-destroying insects in buildings throughout the world.”3 This doesn’t mean that you need to rush into action. Termite colonies develop slowly. Dealing with your termites within six months of finding them is recommended, but there is “no cause for extreme alarm or undue haste.
WHAT IS TERMIMESH
The objective of an effective termite barrier is to deter concealed termite access from the soil and since subterranean termites nest underground they will attack your wooden house from below. Termites need only a very small space to get into your home (1mm is enough) and the biggest problem is recognizing the signs that your house is under attack.
The first obvious place for termites to get in is from under the home itself. There are three vulnerable spots for a home with normal slab-on-ground construction; up next to the plumbing or electrical pipe penetrations, up into the wall cavities along the perimeter of the home and up to the columns or pedestals.
Regardless whether a wood species is termite resistant or not, it is always strongly recommended that a termite control system is installed which is designed to deter concealed access of termites from ground level. Such system is often called a "Termimesh" system.
Termimesh is a physical barrier made out of marine-grade, stainless steel-woven wire mesh. The termites cannot squeeze through the holes in the mesh, and they cannot chew through the durable stainless steel. Termimesh is installed in the foundation of a building at the time of construction and blocks all termite entry points the same way window screens stop flying insects above the ground.
Installation:.
Stage 1: The first area to be protected is around plumbing pipes coming through the slab. Termimesh is fixed to these pipes before the slab is poured and will imbed into the concrete sealing off the gap between the pipe and concrete.
Stage 2: The second area to be protected is the outer cavity of the home. Termimesh is installed in this area and fixed to the bottom of the interior exterior sidings.
The Termimesh termite barrier is designed and installed to force termites to expose themselves in their mud-tubes on the outside of the house (bridging) where they can be detected with a termite inspection.
NOTE: A termi mesh can only be installed by specialist
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| Termi mesh with Formosa termite | Termi mesh installed around pipe penetrations | Termi mesh below floor | ||
WHAT IS A TERMITE BARRIER
A termite barrier is a simple small hip roof like structure that is installed on top of the pedestals which are connected to the ground floor and sub floor beams or at the foot of columns. Termites always attack from below (natural grade) and work their way via the pedestals or columns to reach the wood they are attracted to (the drywood termite can go up to the ceilings and trusses). By installing this simple hip roof like structure it is difficult for a termite to pass as it will most probably fall down from the slippery down pitched surface. Though this system is not 100% guaranteed it will alert the owner of the house timley that a termite attack is imminent. Precautions can be taken in time.
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THE GOLDEN RULE FOR WOODEN HOUSES ........
Always build with suspended ground floors, hence elevated from natural grade whereas sufficient crawl space shall be catered for (say 500 to 600 mm) as to enable regular inspect the bottom of the floor. If budget allows use a 100% resistant wood species for the pedestals (like Bangkirai or Merbau heartwood), including the ground floor joists and ground floor boards and install termite barriers in addition, or apply a sole termi mesh system, if the cost for the termite resistant hardwood is too high.
Nonetheless, all of our houses will be treated with an anti-termite repellent for all wood parts in contact or in close contact with natural grade (the termite's attacking habitat). This is our standard method whether or not in combination with termite resistant wood and/or the use of termite barriers, or termimesh. The product that we use is non-toxic, 99% organic, environmental friendly and is guaranteed for 3 to 5 years. The treatment is also extremely efficient on the drywood termite, Formosa termite, powder post beetle, woodworm and parasites. It is advisable to apply a new repellent layer after 4 years, in particular when non-termite resistant wood is used.
