Nearly a dozen species of termite pest have been found in Louisiana, but eight economically significant species, including the invasive Formosan subterranean termite, maintain a permanent habitat in the state. While the Formosan is the most economically damaging termite species in Louisiana, the native eatern, dark southern and light southern subterranean termites also inflict a significant amount of property damage throughout the state. There exists an equal amount of destructive drywood and subterranean termite species in Louisiana, but the latter group is responsible for around 95 percent of all termite related property damage reported each year in the state.

The southeast sees the highest rate of termite related property destruction in the US, and much of this destruction occurs in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. However, perimeter termiticide treatments are popular in the southeast where they are highly effective at preventing subterranean termite infestations in homes and buildings. According to experts, 80 to 100 percent of southeastern homes that have not been treated with a termiticide or another type of effective barrier will become infested with termites at some point.

Subterranean termites are most active in humid and rainy regions where soil is particularly moist throughout the year. In addition to providing nourishment to subterranean termites, moist soil allows workers to forage over particularly long distances, making it likely for the pests to encounter timber-framed structures. The liberal application of termiticide solution applied beneath the ground surrounding a home prevent subterranean termites from accessing properties. Physical termite barriers are applied to properties far less often than termiticide barriers in the US, but several types of physical barriers, such as steel-mesh, and particle barriers are also highly effective non-chemical methods of preventative termite control.

While subterranean termites can chew through a variety of durable materials in order to reach wood, including concrete, the pests are not able to penetrate steel-mesh. Particle termite barriers may consist of sand, gravel or synthetic material that is applied beneath the ground surrounding homes. Subterranean termites cannot pass through these barriers due to their inability to negotiate the relatively large size of the particles.

Have you ever known someone who had a physical termite barrier applied to their property?