Thinking of a Termite Reticulation System?
If you're a home owner and are considering a termite reticulation system to protect your asset from Australia’s most destructive pest, the subterranean termite, we advise you first to consider a few points before going ahead. The termite reticulation systems have come a long way in the past 5 – 10 years, however that’s not to say the system has not been without its issues.
In 2011, in an article by Leisa Scott featured in the QWeekend magazine, the then CEO of Amalgamated Pest Control, Roland Hovey admitted the reticulation systems they were using up until March 2008 did not distribute the termiticides (termite poison) evenly, leaving large gaps in a home’s termite protection. They have since stopped using those systems and had to refit over 3,000 homes with new systems with shorter pipes and shorter distances between fill stations.
How a reticulation system works
A trench is dug around the home and a long perforated pipe is placed in the trench. Various “fill points” are also installed at strategic points around the home. The soil is then filled back into the trench and a licensed timber pest technician pressure fills the pipe with termiticide. The pressure forces the chemical out of the pipe and into the soil, where the chemical binds to the soil particles and remains in the soil for 3- 5 years, at which point the system will need to be re-injected with a termidticide to offer the home a further 3- 5 years of termite protection. The benefit of a reticulation system is that you don’t need to retrench again as the pipe is already in the soil, so all you need is a licensed timber pest professional to refill the system with termiticide for you.
As Amalgamated Pest Control found out for themselves in 2008, some reticulation systems were fraught with issues like blockages in the holes and many pest controllers were installing the systems without enough fill points, leaving long stretches of pipe without a nearby fill point. This meant the margin of error was much higher as the chemical was not being evenly distributed, leaving gaps and holes in the chemical barrier. One unlucky homeowner found themselves in this precarious position and as you can see below, the termites have used a hole in the chemical barrier, bypassed the fill station and continued to build mud leads in to the home. Luckily, he called Results Home Services and is now looking at having a perimeter soil treatment installed rather than using the erroneous reticulation system which he had inherited with the property.
So if you have inherited an old reticulation system or are concerned about your home’s termite management system, the best thing you can do is to call Results Home Services and have one of our experienced qualified timber pest technicians come out to look at your situation and give you the best advice on how to protect your home from a subterranean termite attack.
Think you’ve found termites?
Think you found active termites? Call us now on 3823 2500 and have one of our qualified technicians come out for a free termite check or why not have a termite inspection done? We use a thermal imaging camera and moisture meter on every one of our termite inspections and follow up with a 21 page report containing all our technician’s findings and recommendations for protecting your home.
Results Home Services has been protecting Brisbane homes for over 25 years so we have the knowledge and experience to protect your home and greatest asset from a termite attack. We service all of Brisbane including the north side suburbs of Eatons Hill, Everton Park, Albany Creak and Samford Valley. Why not call Results Home Services now on 3823 2500 and speak to one of our friendly staff about the termite protection solutions we can offer you.