Protect your home with trusted termite barrier treatments.
Termite chemical soil treatments (often referred to as termite barriers) are one of the most effective ways to stop concealed termite entry into buildings. By creating a treated zone in the soil around and beneath your home, these barriers prevent termites from travelling through the soil and reaching timber structures.
A termite barrier treatment involves applying a liquid termiticide to the soil under and around your home. The goal is to create a continuous treated zone that blocks hidden termite access points (especially around concrete slabs, stumps, strip footings, and subfloor areas).
These treatments don’t kill colonies outright. Instead, they act as a defensive perimeter or force termites to reveal themselves during inspections.
A properly installed termite barrier can save homeowners from the cost of termite damage repairs that can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Liquid termiticides are applied into the soil using high volumes to saturate the treatment zone. Once in place, the treated soil forms an invisible shield between the building and the surrounding ground.
If termites try to move through this zone, one of two things happens, depending on the type of product used:
For the barrier to work effectively, the treated zone must be unbroken and integrated with the structure. Even a small gap (such as a crack in concrete) can allow termites to bypass protection.
The longevity of a termite barrier treatment depends on the product type and site conditions:
Type | Example Product | Expected Lifespan | Notes |
| Repellant | Biflex (Bifenthrin) | Up to 10 years | Longest-lasting, excellent soil binding. |
| Non-repellant | Termidor (Fipronil) | 5-8 years | Strong soil adherence and transfer effect. |
| Non-repellant | Altriset (Chlorantraniliprole) | Up to 8 years | Low toxicity, ideal for sensitive sites. |
Even with long-lasting products, annual termite inspections are crucial to ensure no “bridging” or gaps have developed that might allow termite access.
All chemical termite barriers will eventually deteriorate and lose their potency over time and they will usually have to be reapplied, or “re-treated”.
The price of a termite barrier refill can vary based on the length of the original treated zone, the product used and the degree of environmental exposure (heavy rain, poor drainage, soil movement, etc).
Barrier re-treatments are generally required every 5 to 8 years, subject to site conditions and the termiticide manufacturer’s recommendations.
Prior to recommending a termite barrier treatment our licensed specialists will examine every aspect of the property. This includes the structure, building design, foundation type, soil conditions and drainage issues, any existing physical barriers, and any environmental or access constraints.
Our aim is to ensure your termite treatment will deliver long-lasting, complete coverage. Chemical barrier treatments are only recommended when we can provide a continuous treated zone. A 90% barrier simply isn’t good enough.
Termites will be guaranteed to find any untreated gap left unprotected. If we are unable to create a complete barrier treatment, we can discuss a termite monitoring system as a standalone or complementary option.
Conventional termiticides are repellent chemicals; termites are known to detect their presence in the soil and avoid the treated area. These materials can provide a very robust barrier as a treatment for termites in soil. However, if there is a gap in the treated zone, termites may detect that non-repellent area and exploit it to gain access to the building.
One advantage of these repellent chemicals is their greater longevity compared to other products, which means they require less frequent reapplication. Additionally, they are typically less expensive than their modern non-repellent counterparts.
The newer termiticides are ‘non-repellent’. Termites cannot detect their presence in the soil and will enter a treated zone, becoming contaminated instead of repelled. These termiticides are considered more ‘forgiving’, in that if there is a gap in the treatment, termites attempting to access the building will not detect the untreated areas of soil and will inadvertently bypass them.
The chances of the termites accidentally walking through an untreated area without also passing through a treated area are low. Not surprisingly, these modern termiticides are more expensive than traditional repellent chemicals.
Catagory | Product | Active Ingredient | Key Benefits |
| Repellent | Biflex | Bifenthrin | Long-lasting, cost-effective, proven performance. |
| Non-repellent | Termidor | Fipronil | Excellent transfer effect, binds well to soil. |
| Non-repellent | Altriset | Chlorantraniliprole | Low toxicity, family and pet-safe, strong colony control. |
| Non-repellent | Premise | Imidacloprid | Water-soluble, effective transfer properties. |
We do not use solvent-based, odorous termiticides, as we consider them unacceptable for both our clients and ourselves. This leaves us with water-based, odourless materials, which can be divided into two categories based on our chemical information fact sheet: REPELLENT and NON-REPELLENT termiticides.
REPELLENTS
These are traditional termiticides that include a wide range of pyrethroids, which are synthetic versions of the low-toxicity extract from the chrysanthemum daisy known as “Pyrethrum.” The most common pyrethroid termiticide today is BIFENTHRIN, the active ingredient in the brand “Biflex.” These chemicals are strongly repellent to termites but virtually odourless to humans.
NON-REPELLANT
These newer termiticides go undetected by termites, allowing them to travel through the treated zone and become contaminated. They continue moving for a while, spreading contamination to other termites through a process known as trophallaxis.
‘MAGIC’, NON-REPELLENTS
Marketing materials often suggest that these new non-repellent termiticides can indirectly eliminate a termite colony located away from the building, such as in a garden tree. The implication is that the trophallaxis effect is so powerful it will kill the entire infesting colony in its nest, even if the treatment does not form a continuous barrier.
However, this notion is overly convenient and does not reflect our experience at STC. We routinely find that termite nests in nearby trees remain unaffected by non-repellent termiticide treatments applied to infested buildings. While we acknowledge that these new termiticides are highly effective, they are not a magic solution.
Termite chemical soil treatments must be continuous; leaving gaps is akin to leaving a gate open in a paddock.
REPELLENTS
NON-REPELLENTS
Your decision is likely to come down to a balance between longevity, toxicity, and cost.
From our experience, the options can be summarised as follows:
Australia has one of the most stringent regulatory systems for the pest control industry in the world. All the termiticides recommended for treating your building have been rigorously evaluated and approved by both national and state government authorities. Our company will apply these approved termiticides in full compliance with government regulations and the requirements of chemical termite management systems.
The following common-sense precautions should be taken both before and after your premises are treated:
Specialist Termite Control has over 20 years of experience in termite control. We are fully licensed and our services are compliant with Australian pest management regulations. All our work is carried out using approved, water-based, low-odour materials.
We give honest, professional and open advice, and never install partial barriers that cannot give complete protection. We also offer follow-up inspections and maintenance services to give you ongoing long-term protection.
Call us on 1300 695 949 or book an inspection online if you think your home may need a termite barrier treatment.
On average, termite barrier treatment costs will generally start from $3,000 depending on the size of the property and the type of treatment you require. Chemical barriers are often quoted by the linear metre.
A termite barrier is expected to last in the range of 5–10 years. This will depend on the product used, as well as your soil conditions. Homeowners who regularly have their barriers inspected can prolong the protection.
Physical barriers are typically put in place during the building phase, whereas chemical barriers can be applied to existing homes as a soil treatment.
Yes, chemical barriers need to be inspected, and likely re-applied every 5–8 years to maintain protection.
No, termite damage is unfortunately not covered under most home insurances in Australia, so it’s up to the homeowner to be proactive and protect their property.
Termite barrier treatments remain one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to protect Melbourne homes. Whether you choose a repellent or non-repellent chemical soil treatment, the key is ensuring a complete, continuous treated zone supported by regular inspections.
Protect your property today — contact Specialist Termite Control for a comprehensive termite barrier assessment.
