A great deal of
ongoing
research is being been directed at materials that can be placed around
the
foundation as physical barriers to termite invasion. Although these methods
primarily target new construction, in some cases, application to existing
houses appears to be feasible, though more expensive. Availability of these
products in the continental U.S. is extremely limited and not all of these
methods have been approved for use in North Carolina as the sole means
of
termite control for homes under construction. You will need to discuss
such
methods with a builder who is familiar with them or feels comfortable with
their use. The following materials are currently being investigated or
marketed
in various areas including Australia, Hawaii and California.
Note: Mention of a particular product does not constitute
an endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination
against similar products or services not mentioned.
- Stainless Steel Mesh
- Termi-mesh® (Termi-Mesh Australia
Pty Ltd.) is stainless steel mesh (apperture of 0.66 x 0.45 mm)
that is wrapped around foundations, pipes, posts to prevent termite
intrusion. The product is marketed in Australia and, more recently,
in parts of the United States, particularly in Hawaii. Termi-mesh was
installed in a house in western NC during 1999. State regulations do
allow the use of this product as a substitute for a conventional (liquid)
or bait termite treatment in new construction.
- Sand - Tests have
shown that a layer of sand with uniform size particles (roughly 16-grit)
placed along the foundation (to a depth of at least 4 inches and trailing
outward about 20") can deter movement through the soil. These particles
are too large for termites to move with their mandibles ("teeth"), yet
they are too small for the termites to crawl in between them or to build
stable tunnels. Research in this area suggests that termites may on
occasion breach these barriers and so routine inspection is still critical.
The sand barrier should not be used as the sole means of termite protection
and it is not currently approved as a "standalone" termite
treatment in North Carolina. Therefore, people interested in such non-chemical
preventive termite control measures should consider other methods.
- Stone - Granitgard®
(GranitGard Pty, Ltd.)consists
of finely graded stone particles which are laid beneath the concrete
floors of new buildings or around foundation footers. Research has shown
that termites cannot penetrate it because the particles are too large
and heavy for them to shift, too hard for them to dissolve with their
saliva, and too closely packed to provide a way through it. This product
is not approved in North Carolina for use as the sole means of
termite control for new construction. Granitgard® is mined in Australia.
Additional information can be found through the Australian research
agency - CSIRO
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