Termite Blocker

A termite blocker is a generic name given to multiple types of preventative structures that stop subterranean termites from gaining entry into the home. Subterranean termites live under the ground, usually in loosely packed soil. They build mud tunnels to help protect their workers while they are out gathering food above ground. Sunken termite blockers are one weapon that termite control contractors have to prevent ground termites from successfully locating an entry point into the home. Prevention is really the best form of termite control. If a professional service can stop termites from ever getting in at all in a prone area, it saves the home from potentially catastrophic structural damage while also savings homeowners from having to pay the cost of dealing with that type of damage.  Learn more about some of these new termite treatments.

Treated Soil Termite Blockers

The most common type of termite blocker is the chemical barrier that technicians put down around the home's foundation. This is not just a responsive treatment but is actually more effective when done preventatively. When a home is being built, there are specific ways to treat the soil under and around the slab to protect the house from termites. Putting down these non toxic chemicals protects the home from ever getting invaded in the first place so no responsive termite control treatment is needed. This is, in fact, the goal of all termite blockers: eliminate the entry points termites normally have to prevent them from getting in and thus avoid structural damage over the long run.

Termite blockers are not always comprised of chemicals. Termites do not consume concrete, so this is a material that can actually be used as a blocker. The way they are poured specifically blocks entry depending on the shape of the home. Any treatment designed to block entry can be called a termite blocker. There is a stainless steel mesh product that is used to ward off this pest as well. It is small enough that termites cannot pass through and strong enough that they cannot eat through it or destroy it to gain entry. It can be used around the foundation or around wood piers or other prone areas to help prevent trouble.

There is also a product on the market that is called Termite Blocker. This product is made for preventative wood treatment. Treating wood before any trouble strikes in an increasingly popular form of termite control. Termite Control the wood treatment product is inorganic borate salt containing boron. There are other competing wood treatment products available. Some of them are specifically designed to be applied to wood before or during the construction process, such as the treatment products that can be applied to framed walls before they are drywalled or sided. These products do a great job of protecting the outside walls from being consumed, but it is important to note that subterranean termites will still construct their earthen tubes on these walls to travel further into the house to find other sources of food. So this termite blocker can't be thought of as a solution all by itself.

Termite Blockers Work Together

In fact, no blocker really can. Each of the different termite blocking products does a good job of minimizing risk, but especially in infestation prone areas homeowners should always utilize more than one product to protect their homes. Termite blockers are great products that can drastically cut down on a home's chances of being infested. It is smart to invest in some of these products during the home building process or upon purchasing a home. Some can be retrofitted to existing homes for extra protection.