PRE-TREATMENTS: COST EFFECTIVE & LOGICAL

Why treat before or during construction?

With many wood-destroying organisms (wood boring beetles, fungi, porea, mildew, mold, subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites, carpenter ants, etc.) indigenous to our area, treating a structure prior to or during the construction is a small investment that goes a long way.

Along with good quality construction and use of correct material for the job, a pre-treatment will result in a dependable and long lasting defense against many wood-destroying insects. Sodium borate based materials (Tim-Bor & Bora-Care) are the some of the greenest and most eco-friendly natural pesticides available to date. Coming from the salt mines of Boron in California, this diatomaceous earth product is odorless, colorless, vaporless and has a lasting effect against insects and fungi when applied to framing wood members and sheathing. Non-repellent products like Altriset & Termidor bond to the treated soil and do not leach away, nor affect plant life, making them among the most reliable and eco-friendly insecticide to treated soil.

When is the best time to pre-treat? 

Soil Treatment: For concrete slabs and perimeter foundations (constructions or additions) the best time to treat the soil with Altriset or Termidor is just after all the preparation work has been completed (foundation forms installed, utility conduits in place, sub-slab gravel laid out) and prior to the sub-slab moisture membrane installation and concrete pouring. The concrete can then be poured right after the treatment is performed.

Perimeter Treatment: When a structure is already present it is still advised to perform a soil treatment to the perimeter of the concrete foundation prior to installation of concrete patios, walkways, porches, grade stairways, asphalt driveways and tiled or brick covered areas. It also makes sense to treat interior slab areas before any floor covering are installed to prevent drilling of hardwood, tiled or finished floors. We also recommend treating soil areas beneath decks built low above soil grade as all these areas will be inaccessible later.

Wood Treatment: For constructions, renovations, additions, remodeling or repairs the optimum time is to treat all accessible wood members with Tim-Bor or Bora-Care when the framing and sheathing are exposed and prior to the installation of the moisture membranes, felt paper, insulation and wall, ceiling, roof and floor coverings. The treatment is water based and completion of the work can then resume within a few hours once the treated areas have dried. These treatments are advised when doing a complete remodel, but also when remodeling only some rooms like bathrooms, kitchens and particularly rooms with moisture conditions. They are also advised in basements, crawl spaces, sleeper floors (wood framing over concrete slabs), attic areas  and other ceiling, floor and wall voids, particularly before theses area are enclosed.

What warranties?

Soil Treatment: We provide a 5-year warranty against re-infestation of Subterranean Termites to all soil areas pre-treated with Altriset or Termidor.

Wood Treatment: We offer a 5-Year warranty against re-infestation of Drywood Termites to all accessible wood members pre-treated with Tim-Bor or Bora-Care.

What Impact do pre-treatments have on the environment?

The Altriset or Termidor soil treatment is specific to the soil below slabs and around perimeter foundations. Once the slab or foundations are poured and the soil around them is back filled, the treatment is out of sight and since the product bonds with the treated soil it does not leach away. Altriset's ingredient (Chlorantaniliprole) is specific to termites and reported to have NO effect on other insects (like bees), warm blooded animals, humans or even plants. Altriset is the only reduced-risk termiticide available, has the lowest toxicity level of any termite treatment and does not even have a "Caution" chemical label. Termidor's active ingredient (Fipronil) is low-toxicity, found in some pet products for flea control, is not systemic and does not affect plant life. No lingering odors, vapors or fumes emanate from either products, yet both products are effective for years even when dry.

The Tim-Bor or Bora-Care wood treatment is applied prior to encapsulation (insulation, membranes, siding, roofing, sheetrock). Any treated wood remaining exposed can be sealed, stained or painted. These borate-based products are also good fungicides and herbicides, which is why they are not used in soils. They are among the greenest insecticides that are least toxic to mammals the earth has to offer. No vapors, fumes or odors even after the treatment has dried.

Call Marin Termite Control at 415-456-9620 or visit our website: www.marintermite.com for additional information!