Termite shield?

[Innovate1]

Got a quote on lumber package showing 6" x 50' x 0.008" aluminum valley. Don't have any valleys and it is listed right after sill seal so this is obviously intended for termite shield. Looking at Menards they only sell 0.012" copper. Thicker and copper which is compatible with current wood treatment (as I understand it at least).

Some of the framers noted that termite shield is pretty ineffective unless the edge is bent so the edge is away from other material so the termites can't get around the edge. And it is often flattened or pressed behind paneling.

I am left to wonder the best thing to do. Copper costs a lot more but if it is effective it is worth it.

 

[matt_i]

I think your concerns are valid. Aluminum will decay in the presence of treated timber. It could be insulated with the sill-seal closed cell foam gasketing. But you'd need a trim brake to bend it so it didn't look wavy. And without the down-bend it would be a prime candidate to scoop and retain water.

It does seem like an old school way to deal with the problem. I recall the Sentricon system which revolves around poisoning the soil with repellant and then monitoring bait stations around the perimeter with kleenex to see if they returned and needed re-treatment. However the whole thing probably should have started right around the time of excavation when the ground is treated for the first time. The downside of Sentricon is that its a monitoring charge forevermore but you do get a bond to cover in case it didn't work out.

 

[pcmeiners]

Agree, aluminum is affected by lumber chemicals and just plain water, hard to understand how they get away with using for purpose like this.

 

[Innovate1]

Appreciate the input. Got a quote from another supplier who quoted copper. $100 more ($150 vs $50) but that's small in the whole cost of building.

As I recall when I built the current home in 2004 the shield used was aluminum but the chemicals were different and aluminum wasn't as big of issue. I think they were starting to change chemicals around that time.

Not sure how effective the shields are but they seem to be standard around here.

Treatment of the soil is also done but I don't know much about it...

 

[Jlbc212]

Real old method is to use lead. The lead was laid over the top of the foundation and extended about an 1" or two over the outside and inside edges of the foundation. Termites are common in most areas of the United States. I still can't understand why builders cover the foundation up to sill with ridgid insulation. It hides the tunnels termites build to get to the sill and carpenter ants will eat right through it.

 

[Copymutt]

I had the ground pre treated after the foundation was in place. My Orkin contract covered it. No shield needed. Double ck. though, our mites are probably a diff. species in Co.

 

[AZ Pete]

the soil treatments are temporary, they may last years, but must be biodegradable due to current environmental standards. So treat the soil with Terminix or something similar that termites take back to the nest to kill the colony, but expect to retreat later (the life of the chemicals is better now than 20 years ago, but none are permanent, to my knowledge. Chemical barriers are less expensive than the chemicals that actually kill the colonies, but can be broken by soil settlement, digging around the foundation, rodents etc.

i would provide the best physical barrier plus the best chemical I could use locally.

 

[pcmeiners]

" So treat the soil with Terminix "

That is Termidor, great stuff noted to last 10 years, …..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Taurus-SC-...290234&hash=item20d6026104:g:0nQAAOSw8oFXyXPp

 

[HenryAZ]

When we built in 2002, we of course had pre-treatment before the slab was poured. We also had perforated tubing laid under the slab, terminating in 3 hose connections at one end of the house in the stem wall. Our (local) exterminator pumps in 60-70 gallons of Termidor into those connections, thus under the slab, every third year. It certainly brings up some interesting creatures, like this centipede.

Giant Desert Centipede:

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Termite shield for exterior perimeter walls- in IL?

Last time I saw/used a termite shield was for support columns in a crawl space. Other than that- HI; where termites run rampant.

If this isn't an AHJ requirement, I wouldn't bother. If you have the minimum required clearance from finished grade to framing, have pre-treated, and/or will have a annual treatment process or perimeter bait system in place I see only a failed "system" with the shield because it's so vulnerable to damage and/or chemical decay.

 

[Bruins77]

I work for a steel structure company, mostly commercial but almost all the residential business is to fix termite damage or better yet prevent termite damage

 

[yhprum]

A pest guy told me that if you put beach sand around the outside off the foundation, the termites can’t get through because they can’t make the mud tubes to climb up the foundation or slab to get inside. Is that true?

 

[nadogail]

A pest guy told me that if you put beach sand around the outside off the foundation, the termites can’t get through because they can’t make the mud tubes to climb up the foundation or slab to get inside. Is that true?

I don't know, but it somehow seems logical.

 

[SGKent]

Termidor. It gets carried back to the nest on their bodies, sterilizes them and kills them. It is unlike the treatments of the 60's and 70's where the chemical created a barrier. These chemicals neutralize the colonies. Follow the instructions and EPA guidelines.

 

[Joe Fast]

I have a buddy who is a pesticide expert and actually treats construction projects here in NYC. As far a termite prevention, he recommended a product called Boracare. It’s basically boric acid suspended in a gel. I’ve used it in both new construction and rehab work. In both infested and clean wood without any complaints. It’s easy to apply and can be re coated as desired.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

 

[Jlbc212]

A pest guy told me that if you put beach sand around the outside off the foundation, the termites can’t get through because they can’t make the mud tubes to climb up the foundation or slab to get inside. Is that true?

In my experience here in the northeast section of the country where much of the soil is very hard-packed clay/rock termites show up in veins of sand.