Field Comparison of Sand or Insecticide Barriers for
Control of Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Infestations in Homes in Northern California
by
Vernard R. Lewis, Michael I. Haverty, Douglas S. Carver, and
Calvin Fouche
ABSTRACT
Eleven homes with active subterranean termite (Reticuliterrnes spp.) infestations had a sand barrier (51cm wide and 7.6 cm deep; 1.6 to 2.5mm dia. particles) installed along the raised foundation inside the crawl space. Eight homes were conventionally treated with a commercially available liquid termiticide. All homes were monitored for 3 years. At 1 year after treatment, the number of barrier penetrations was similar: 3 for the sand treatment and 2 for the chemical treatment. Spot retreatments or corrections to the barrier were made for both sand and insecticide "failures." At 2 and 3 years after treatment, 3 homes in the sand treated group still showed signs of barrier penetration while the chemically treated homes had none. Wood-soil contacts, cracks in the foundation, difficulties in treatment installation, and uneven foundation surface contributed to barrier penetrations for sandand chemically treated homes. Periodic monitoring and improved installation techniques could increase the long-term performance for either barrier treatment directed against Reticuliterrnes spp. infestations.