Termite Control Authority

New Construction Termite Protection

New construction termite protection encompasses the chemical treatments, physical barriers, and material specifications applied to a structure before or during the building process to prevent termite colonization from the ground up. Unlike reactive treatments applied after infestation, pre-construction measures are integrated into the construction sequence itself, making them significantly more effective and far less costly than post-construction remediation. This page covers the mechanisms, regulatory context, treatment types, and decision criteria governing new construction termite protection in the United States.

Definition and scope

New construction termite protection refers to any termite-exclusion measure installed or applied before a building's final grade is established or before concrete slabs and foundations are poured. The scope extends from soil treatment beneath and around foundations, to physical barriers embedded in the building envelope, to the use of termite-resistant building materials in framing and substructure.

The International Residential Code (IRC), published by the International Code Council (ICC), establishes baseline requirements under Section R318, mandating termite protection methods in all areas of "moderate to very heavy" termite infestation probability as designated on the IRC Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Map. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers all termiticide products used in pre-construction soil treatments under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and application must follow label directions that carry the force of federal law.

State-level building codes and pest control licensing boards further govern which treatment types are permitted, which contractors may apply them, and what documentation must accompany a Certificate of Compliance at closing. The termite control state regulations overview provides a breakdown of how those requirements vary across jurisdictions.

How it works

Pre-construction termite protection operates through three distinct mechanisms, often applied in combination:

  1. Soil chemical barriers — A liquid termiticide is applied to the soil beneath and around the foundation before the slab is poured. Products containing active ingredients such as bifenthrin, fipronil, or chlorantraniliprole create a treated zone that kills or repels foraging termites (termiticide products and active ingredients). The EPA requires label-specified application rates, typically measured in gallons per 10 linear feet per foot of depth for vertical barriers, and gallons per 10 square feet for horizontal barriers beneath slabs.

  2. Physical barriers — Stainless steel mesh systems (such as Termi-Mesh, specified at 0.66 mm aperture size) or crushed granite particle barriers are installed around pipe penetrations, foundation joints, and slab edges. These do not rely on chemistry and do not degrade over time. The Australian Standard AS 3660.1 has influenced adoption of physical barrier specifications in U.S. high-infestation zones, particularly in Hawaii and Florida.

  3. Treated wood and materials — Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact (UC4B or UC4C per the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Use Category System) provides inherent resistance to subterranean termite attack in structural members closest to soil. Borate-treated framing lumber, also covered under AWPA standards, diffuses borate compounds throughout wood cell walls, making ingestion lethal to termites.

The sequencing of these methods is critical. Soil treatment must occur after final grading but before the concrete pour so the treated zone is not disrupted. Physical barriers are installed during framing. Material specifications are locked into the construction documents before any procurement occurs.

Common scenarios

Slab-on-grade construction is the most common scenario for pre-construction soil treatment in the southern United States, where subterranean termite pressure is highest. Termiticide is applied to the compacted fill, the perimeter trench around the foundation, and around any utility penetrations before the slab is poured. Inspectors verify treatment before concrete work begins, and contractors issue a pre-treatment certificate that becomes part of the closing package.

Crawl space foundations present a different risk profile: exposed soil and wood proximity create ongoing moisture and access conditions. IRC Section R318 requires that wood within 18 inches of exposed ground in a crawl space be treated or naturally resistant. Moisture control and termite prevention are closely linked in this construction type, as high humidity accelerates wood decay and attracts termites simultaneously.

Pier and beam construction in historic districts or high-water-table areas often cannot accommodate full soil saturation treatments. In these cases, physical barriers around piers and borate wood treatments on structural members serve as the primary protection strategy.

High-risk regions, including Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and coastal Gulf states where Formosan termites are established, may require a combination of all three mechanism types to meet local code requirements. The termite risk by US region reference covers infestation probability zones in detail.

Decision boundaries

The decision framework for new construction termite protection turns on four primary variables:

When a structure transitions from new construction to its first occupancy, the pre-construction protections become the baseline from which any termite inspection services and monitoring programs are measured going forward.

References

📜 2 regulatory citations referenced  ·  🔍 Monitored by ANA Regulatory Watch  ·  View update log

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