The Code requires that termite protection be provided by a registered termiticide, including soil applied termiticides, bait systems, or pesticides labeled for direct application to wood, or an alternative method approved by the building official. All three kinds of products are registered in Florida.
Full Answer
What is the building code in Florida for termites?
Florida Building Code requires pest management professionals who offer preventative treatment for subterranean termites for new construction to provide the following: Notification of Treatment — to be posted in duplicate on a job board at the site after each required treatment. The notice must include: Area treated (square footage).
Are pesticides approved in Florida for termite protection?
Pesticides used for termite protection do not need to be approved as such; rather they need to be deemed legible and registered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A full list of registered pesticides can be found here. FAQ 4: When soil treatment is used, when should the treatment be done?
What are the requirements for a termiticide license?
(9) A licensee holding a permit must maintain accurate records of all pesticides purchased, obtained, or available for its use; the total amount of the area treated using soil applied termiticides; and the total number of sites treated using this and any other method of treatment. These records must be made available to the department upon request.
Do I need a permit to perform preventive termite treatments?
(1) A licensee must have a permit to perform preventive termite treatments for new construction, except for preventive termite treatments on additions to existing structures for which the licensee has a current termite treatment contract.
Is termite protection required in Florida?
Sections of the Florida Building Code Related to Termites Requires discharge lines and gutter downspouts to terminate at least 1 foot from foundation. Requires foundations to have some form of protection from termites ("labeled for use as a preventative treatment to new construction").
How do you treat subterranean termites in Florida?
Treating for TermitesBait station. Put things that termites like to eat in a bait station like cardboard and pieces of wood, and put that near the colony. ... Orange oil. This can be used as a preventative measure, or to kill termites. ... Heat. Extreme heat or cold will kill termites. ... Liquid repellent. ... Liquid non-repellent.
How often should you treat for termites in Florida?
Homeowners should have their home inspected annually for termites as a method of prevention. Termite treatments last anywhere from 5 to 13 years depending on the type of treatment used and any signs of current activity.
How is termite treatment calculated?
For slab structures, a good rule of thumb for a rough calculation is to first figure one gallon per linear foot of concrete block. Then divide the total slab area (square feet) by 10 to get the number of gallons for the fill treatment. Add these two numbers together.
How often should you treat for subterranean termites?
Frequently Asked Questions For liquid termite treatments, you should re-treat roughly every five years, and for termite bait stations, you should monitor every few months.
What is the best treatment for subterranean termites?
Insecticides. Liquid applications of pesticides are most often used for subterranean termite control and applied to the soil either in drenches or by injection. There are no reliable over-the-counter termite control products available for the public in California; all effective products are for professional use only.
Is drilling necessary for termite treatment?
Answer: The answer to this question is also in our How To Do A Termite Treatment Article. For your garage, porch, patios, or other contiguous slabs against the home, you will need to get the termiticide underneath the concrete against the foundation. To do this you will need a hammer drill with a 1/2" x 18" drill bit.
How often should Termidor be reapplied?
When spraying outdoors around the foundation Termidor SC can last up to 4-6 months and then will need to be reapplied. You can apply Termidor SC as a perimeter spray up to 4 times per year: Twice at the 0.8 oz./gal rate; 4 times at the 0.4 oz. per gallon rate; or 3 times, spraying once at the 0.8 oz.
How long is a termite treatment good for?
Average treatments last about 5-years. Liquid treatments can last a little over the 5-year mark. Whereas bait treatment typically only lasts for a year and would need routine maintenance.
How do you calculate linear feet for termites?
Remember, we came up with 4 gallons per linear feet per foot of depth. To figure it out, take 180, divide by 10 and multiply by four. That's right off the label. That gives you 72 gallons needed to create the vertical barrier.” And that is just one portion of the total pre-treatment.
Is code for measurement of anti termite treatment?
IS 6313-2: Code of Practice for Anti-Termite Measures in Buildings, Part 2: Pre-constructional Chemical Treatment Measures.
Is specification for pre-construction anti termite treatment?
The scope of pre constructional anti-termite treatment covers the soil treatment with approved chemicals in water emulsion in foundation trenches for columns, plinth beams, plinth filling, at junction of walls and floor, in expansion joints etc. in stages as detailed in this specifications and drawings.
What are the pest problems in Florida?
Termites are one of the biggest pest problems facing homes and buildings in Florida, which is why there are certain building codes in place to ensure that these structures are properly protected from these unruly pests. As of 2002, the Florida Building Code was updated to include one set of standards to be used by every county to ensure the protection of homes and businesses from termites. Since then, this building code has received many modifications which now require the combined efforts of construction and design companies, pest controllers and building inspectors to ensure that buildings and homes are less vulnerable to termite invasions.
Do you have to treat a foundation for termites?
Yes. The code requires that preventative treatment be done for any structure with a foundation. This is necessary because termite infestations can occur in any structure containing cellulose including metal buildings.
Do termite pesticides need to be approved?
Pesticides used for termite protection do not need to be approved as such; rather they need to be deemed legible and registered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A full list of registered pesticides can be found here.
When is termite protection required in Florida?
Are homes in Florida required to have termite protection? Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The only time that the Florida Building Code (FBC) requires the application of termite protection is at the construction of a new home or an addition to an existing home that expands the footprint. That requirement was instituted by the first FBC edition on March ...
Can drywood termites be treated?
Drywood termites are not deterred by the soil treatment. The treatment must be done by a Florida-licensed pest control operator, who will issue a Certificate of Compliance, which is submitted to the local building department.
How much clearance do you need for termite traps?
Section 1403.1.6 requires a minimum of six inches clearance to allow for detection of termite foraging and mud tubes entering a structure. If this gap is not provided, termite infestation may occur undetected.
What is termite bait?
Termite bait systems are registered pesticides and contain label directions that include inspection intervals. It is the responsibility of the licensed pest control operator to follow label directions in the use of these pesticides. Where the Code does not provided specific installation instructions for the termite protection system, inspection by the building official must be in accordance with system approval. For all bait systems currently registered, a single inspection by the building official when construction is completed should be sufficient to verify that the system has been installed.
What is Chapter 482?
Chapter 482, Florida Statutes and Chapter 5E-14, Florida Administrative Code, govern structural pest control in Florida. The Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the regulatory body responsible for administering this statute and rule.
Is it illegal to use termite bait in Florida?
Performing pest control without a valid license is illegal .
Do baiting systems contain pesticides?
Some baiting systems registered as preventive treatments for new construction contain the pesticide active ingredient as part of the initial installation, others require installation of the active ingredient after termite activity is detect ed. The time of installation of the active ingredient is specified in the directions for use on the label of the pesticide.
Is borate a preventive treatment?
Currently there is one product registered as a preventive treatment for new construction as a direct treatment to wood. This product is a borate containing insecticide. As a registered pesticide, this material may legally be used as a stand alone preventive treatment.
Can termites be treated with soil?
Luckily, you can have The Termite Guys perform a soil treatment for termites. You can make sure that your foundation is protected before there's ever a structure on it.
Do you need a certificate of soil treatment before building?
Don't delay your build over termites. Many contractors need a certificate of soil treatment before construction can begin. Once you've let our tea treat the soil, you'll be able to get started on your project.
How to treat wood for termites?
Some of the methods for a termite treatment on wood include pressure-treatment. Pressure-treating the wood and the soil around it makes your structures to be termite and carpenter ants resistant. The treatment involves the application of a chemical preservative through the use of high pressure.
How to prevent termites from getting in wood?
1. Borate Pre-Treat on exposed wood. Pre-treat all the exposed wood studs on your house and nearby structures. Use a wood preservative or insecticide like Boracare as the termite prevention ability will last the treated wood’s lifetime. Dig a 6 inches (deep) by 6 inches (wide) trench in the soil around the house or structure to be pre-treated ...
What is termite mesh?
Terms-mesh is a closely-knit mesh (made from stainless steel) that lasts for a long time, and hence the termites won’t easily penetrate it to eat your house and nearby structures. However, Termi-mesh is mainly offered as an additional termite control service instead of a stand-alone offer by the exterminator companies.
How to treat crawl space with Termidor SC?
For crawl spaces, treat the soil with Termidor SC through the dug holes or trenches. For this, you’ll also need to dig 6 inches (deep) by 6 inches (wide) trenches around wall footing, foundations, trench, piers. Pour and mix up the insecticides with the soil. To treat the basements for termites, drill some equally spaced holes on ...
Can you use Termidor SC on concrete?
Use Termidor SC to pre-treat the concrete slabs, and this would work better if you apply the insecticide under the selected concrete slab – this is before pouring. But for a slab that’s already installed – you’ll have to inject the chemical termite killer via a drill hole.
Can you use termite bait on drywood?
Also, you may place termites baits on appropriate locations in the yard. However, for Drywood, Dampwood, or Formosan termites, I recommend undertaking fumigation or use one of the approved termite killers. Below I’ve discussed how you can treat the soil for termites.
Is pre construction termite treatment covered by insurance?
A. Pre-Construction (or Pre-Treat) Termite Treatment. Termites will cause significant damage to your home, and sadly this isn’t covered in the homeowner’s insurance. These damaging insects will hide in furniture and walls until they’re mature. Here’s how you should do the pre-construction (or Pre-Treat) termite soil treatment to protect your ...