FULL TREATMENT (aka Pretreatment): The homeowner can only receive a “full treatment” before the house is built. Effective pre-construction treatment for subterranean termite prevention requires the establishment of complete vertical and horizontal approved physical or chemical barriers between wood in the structure and the termite colonies in the soil, or a “horizontal chemical barrier” that is created by using a low pressure spray after the final grading is complete and prior to pouring the slab or footings.

The licensed pest technician is bound by the instructions on the chemical label that they use. The Texas Structural Pest Control Board considers these instructions as law. Termiticide labels have specific directions about the product’s use. Pest control companies must follow these directions and Structural Pest Control Board regulations including 599.3 (a) and (b). Please go the web site located at www.spcb.state.tx.us for more information.

SPOT TREATMENT: Any treatment which concerns a limited defined area less than ten (10) linear feet or ten square feet that is intended to protect a specific location or “”spot.”” Often there are adjacent areas susceptible to termite infestations which are not treated.

PARTIAL TREATMENT: This technique allows a wide variety of treatment strategies but is more involved than a spot treatment. Example: Treatment of some or all of the perimeter, bath traps, expansion joints and stress cracks.

Pier and Beam: Generally defined as the treatment of the outer perimeter including porches, patios and treatment of the attached garage. In the crawl space, treatment would include any soil to structure contacts as well as removal of any wood debris on the ground. Slab construction: Generally defined as treatment of the perimeter all known slab penetrations, and any known expansion joints or stress cracks.