Some important things you should know

(whether you choose a chemical OR physical termite barrier).

• As a home owner it is important that your home is thoroughly inspected at least every 12 months, so as to detect any bridging or breaks in the termite barrier.
  
• Any improvements or repairs you make to your home that disturb the barrier need to be referred to the installer who originally installed the termite barrier. They can determine the need for reinstallation of the disturbed barrier.
  
• If you add any patios, pergolas, concrete paths (next to footings), garages, carports or additional rooms, these areas must also be protected against termite attack.
  
• Landscaping activities must not disturb the termite barrier. If disturbance does occur, then the barrier must be reinstalled.
  
• Try to avoid using timber such as old railway sleepers in retaining walls or garden edges, unless an adequate barrier can be installed.
  
• Termites love damp conditions: Promptly repair leaking taps, faulty air conditioning units, pool pump motors and faulty spouting and downpipes, to avoid areas of excessive moisture.
  
• Installation of sprinkler systems close to footings, can disturb the barrier, and therefore a new termite barrier will need to be installed.  
•  Avoid installing pergolas, fences or trellises that are in direct contact with both the soil and your home.
• Do not change the soil level of your yard so that the level slopes back towards the home, creating damp conditions next to the footings.
  
• Australian Standards AS 3660 Series applies to all aspects of termite control.

Information Sourced from FMC 2008.