Expert Termite Inspection & Termite Control in Canberra

The key to the suitability of any termiticide in a wet environment is the propensity to leach through a soil profile upon a wetting event. The main measure for ability to leach is the product’s water solubility. Termidor has very low water solubility and therefore will not leach through the soil. Termidor tightly binds to organic matter in soil, which also limits its movement. All of these physical and chemical characteristics contribute to Termidor remaining active in the treated zones close to the foundations of the structure for as long as the soil and foundations have not been compromised or the normal time span for degradation has elapsed.

This includes soils that have been located in flooded areas. As an example, whilst conducting long-term field trials throughout Australia, a Townsville site suffered a major flood which completely submerged the Termidor treated plots for a lengthy period. It can be seen from the graph below that there was no effect on the amount of Termidor present in the soil.

As stated above, Termidor binds strongly to the soil particles and will not leach through the soil profile. However, this is based on soil that is not saturated at the time of treatment. If the soil is saturated, the Termidor (and any other termiticide) will remain in the water phase with little chance to bind to organic matter in the soil profile. Therefore the soil needs time to dry out enough so that the soil profile is not in a saturated state. This drying time depends on the type of soil, site drainage and the weather conditions after the original wetting event. Your Accredited Termidor Applicator is in the best position to answer this question.

This depends on a number of factors. Your Accredited Termidor Applicator is in the best position to determine this via a thorough inspection and written report. As a guide, Termidor should be used to re-establish the treated zones when:

• Soil erosion next to foundations has removed protective termite treatment zones.
• Any rectification work has moved or removed treated soil.
• Flooding has brought new, untreated soil next to the foundation.
• Foundation elements have shifted/moved or soil subsidence has occurred and untreated soil now requires a Termidor treatment.
• Treatments with other more water soluble products are suspected to no longer be in place to protect the structure (from previous use of non-Termidor materials).
• Adjacent patios, driveways, concrete pathways, asphalt pads, etc have moved and exposed soil areas that can now be treated. Especially when repaired and previous soil is moved.
• Landscaping has been repaired, added, etc and the previously treated zones have been disturbed.
• Repairs to the structure (especially foundation repairs) leads to the presence of untreated zones.

After receiving the inspection and written report it can be a little confusing with an overload of information. It is important that you sit down and discuss the report with your Accredited Termidor Applicator to understand the recommendations (why they are important), agree on a plan to carry out the recommendations and review the success after implementing the recommendations. Following this advice is very important, as it will affect the quality of the treatment and may also affect any warranty given by the pest manager.

The termite threat in areas that have suffered excessive rain events may actually increase. Termites increase their population based on a number of factors including access to moisture and food sources. Obviously after heavy sustained rainfall, the soil will hold moisture for a long period of time which the termites will enjoy. Added to this is the increase in building timber and tree debris left behind after the water recedes.

Quite often this is buried in land fill or stacked in a pile which adds a new food source which can sustain a larger termite population. As a consequence, termite pressure will, in time, be more severe. Therefore it is imperative that an Accredited Termidor Applicator performs a thorough inspection of the site to assess the risk and provide recommendations to protect your home from future termite infestations. These should be conducted at least every 12 months into the future.

The crucial advantage Termidor has over many other products is that it doesn’t repel termites. Termites are able to detect the older chemicals in the soil and stay away from them. That means the termites remain active and unaffected, still exploring the area and potentially looking for ways into your home. Termites can’t detect the treated zone so, as they continue to forage through the soil and unknowingly come into contact with Termidor.

The Genuine Termidor Transfer Effect™

Because affected termites can’t detect Termidor, they carry it back to the nest on their bodies and pass it on to other termites, hence the devastating Genuine Termidor Transfer Effect. Termidor can control whole termite populations faster than any other treatment, but it is relatively slow-acting in individual termites. This means termites have ample time before dying to spread Termidor to their nest, and the entire colony.  The combination of Termidor being undetectable in the soil and its Transfer Effect mean no other termiticide performs as well as Termidor.