When does a termite treatment - barrier expire?

The Golden Rule to ensure your home isn’t attacked by termites (White Ants) is to have a current chemical treatment in place. But for many homeowners in South East Queensland, there is a lot of confusion about when the treatment was last done and how long it will last.

Some homeowners think that when they had their homes treated with “Old strong stuff” (Organochlorines), it would last for ever. This is an urban myth, along with the idea that these types of chemicals are better.

The manufacturer of the Organochlorines, Shell, stated that these chemicals were only recommended to protect homes for 20 years after their Australian field trials started to fail. Then Organochlorine chemicals were withdrawn from the schedule of termiticide in 1995 due to health reasons. This means that all houses treated with Organochlorines (Heptachlor, DDT and Chlordane) have expired.

After 1995, professional Pest Control companies only had Organophosphorus chemicals, such as Chlorpyrifos, Dichlorvos, and Diazinon, which only had a maximum recommended life of 10 years. Likewise, with the revolutionary Synthetic Pyrethroids, Bifenthrin, at its strongest application rate, it would only be recommended to last for ten years.

Now with the Non-repellent transfer poisons, Fipronil (Termidor), Imidacloprid (Premise) and the more recent Chlorantraniliprole (Altriset), there is a shorter recommended life span:

• Termidor - 8 years
• Premise - 5 years
• Altriset - 8 years

How long will a termite treatment - barrier last?

When a chemical treatment is completed, the licensed operator should issue a Certificate of Installation. This states what chemical was used, the volume and a mud map of where it was applied around your home.

If you don’t have this information, you should be able to check inside the electrical meter box on the outside of your home to find the “Durable Treatment Label” that states when a treatment was done, what chemical was used and when it will expire.

How a termite treatment should be done

Call Conquer Termites

If you are uncertain or confused if your home has the appropriate level of protection, call us now on 1300 417 007 to arrange a free consultation.

We’ll come out and assess your home to provide a treatment proposal that clearly lists all the options we believe would best suit your home. It’s just not worth the risk to do nothing!