Why Pre-Construction Termite Treatment Matters
Here's a number that should get your attention: Florida has the highest termite pressure of any state in the country. Eastern subterranean termites are active in every square foot of soil in the Jacksonville area, and they cause more structural damage to homes in Florida than hurricanes, fires, and floods combined. Pre-construction treatment is your first and most important line of defense.
The reason pre-construction treatment is so critical is timing. Before your concrete slab is poured, we have direct access to the soil beneath your future home — soil that termites will eventually travel through to reach the wood framing above. Once that slab is in place, creating an effective soil barrier becomes significantly more difficult and expensive. The pre-pour phase is your one opportunity to establish comprehensive protection at the lowest cost.
Types of Pre-Construction Termite Treatment
Soil Pre-Treatment (Required by Florida Code)
Florida Building Code requires soil treatment with an approved termiticide before the concrete slab is poured for any new structure. This involves applying a liquid termiticide to the soil in a specific pattern:
- Under-slab treatment: The entire area beneath the future slab is treated with termiticide, creating a horizontal chemical barrier between the soil and your home.
- Foundation perimeter: The soil along the exterior of the foundation footings is treated to create a vertical barrier that prevents termites from approaching from outside.
- Plumbing penetrations: Special attention is given to areas where plumbing pipes penetrate the slab, as these are the most common entry points for termites in slab-on-grade construction.
- Expansion joints: Any expansion or control joints in the slab are treated, as these can create gaps that termites exploit.
The termiticides used for pre-construction treatment are non-repellent products like Termidor (fipronil) or Altriset (chlorantraniliprole). Non-repellent products are critical because termites can't detect them — they walk through the treated soil and carry the product back to their colony, creating a transfer effect that eliminates the colony rather than just deflecting it.
Borate Wood Treatment (Strongly Recommended)
While soil treatment protects from below, borate wood treatment protects the actual wood framing of your home. Borate products like Bora-Care are applied to exposed wood framing during the dried-in phase — after the roof is on but before drywall is installed. The borate penetrates into the wood and makes it toxic to termites, wood-boring beetles, and decay fungi.
Borate treatment offers several advantages:
- Permanent protection: Unlike soil treatments that degrade over time, borate treatment lasts the life of the wood as long as it stays dry.
- Dual protection: Borates protect against both termites and wood-decay fungi, addressing two major threats to your home's structural integrity.
- No re-treatment needed: Once applied, borate treatment doesn't need to be renewed or reapplied.
- Low toxicity: Borates are among the least toxic pesticides available, with a safety profile similar to table salt for mammals.
Builder's Termite Bond
A builder's termite bond is a warranty that covers your new home against termite damage. Here's what you need to know:
What's Covered
A standard builder's termite bond covers re-treatment if termites are found and repair of any termite damage discovered during the bond period. The initial bond typically covers one year from the date of completion and can be renewed annually.
Renewal Costs
Annual bond renewal in Jacksonville typically costs $200-$350 depending on your home's size. This includes an annual termite inspection and maintains your re-treatment and damage repair coverage. We strongly recommend maintaining your termite bond continuously — a gap in coverage means you'll need a new inspection and potentially a new treatment to reinstate protection.
Transferability
Most termite bonds are transferable to new homeowners when you sell your property. This is a significant selling point and can increase your home's value. Buyers in Jacksonville increasingly look for active termite bonds when purchasing homes.
What to Ask Your Builder
If you're building a new home in Jacksonville, here are the questions you should ask your builder about termite protection:
- Who is performing the pre-construction termite treatment? Make sure it's a licensed pest control company, not a general laborer applying product without proper training or licensing.
- What product is being used? Ask for the specific product name and active ingredient. Non-repellent termiticides (fipronil, chlorantraniliprole) are significantly more effective than older repellent products.
- Is borate wood treatment included? Some builders include it; others offer it as an upgrade. If it's not included, strongly consider adding it — the cost during construction is a fraction of what it would cost to retrofit later.
- What does the termite bond cover? Understand exactly what's covered — re-treatment only, or re-treatment plus damage repair? What are the renewal terms and costs?
- Can I choose my own pest control company? Some builders have exclusive arrangements with specific pest control companies. If you have a preference, ask early in the process.
Jacksonville Communities Where We Provide New Construction Treatment
We provide pre-construction termite treatment for builders and homeowners throughout the Jacksonville metro area, including these actively developing communities: