Pre-construction termite treatment—often called a termite “pretreat”—is the set of steps taken during a build to keep subterranean termites from moving out of the soil and into the structure. In practice, that means creating protective layers before and during construction: applying liquid termiticides to the soil beneath slabs and along footings, treating vulnerable wood with borates, and installing physical barriers or seals at joints and utility penetrations. When timed correctly, these measures form a durable shield between termite colonies in the ground and the home’s wood, reducing costly damage that insurance rarely covers.

This guide walks you through why pretreatment matters, when to schedule each stage around footings, slabs, backfill, and final grading, and the pros, cons, and best uses of every option—soil treatments, borate wood treatment, bait systems, and physical barriers. You’ll see how applications are done, what codes and warranties require, typical costs, how long protection lasts, and the maintenance that keeps coverage valid. We’ll also cover regional risk by construction type, builder practices that deter termites, pitfalls that void protection, and how to choose a licensed provider. Here’s what to know before you pour, frame, and close.

Why pre-construction termite treatment matters

Termites cause more than $5 billion in damage each year, and homeowner insurance rarely covers it. Because colonies live hidden in soil and inside walls, infestations are often discovered late—after daily feeding has already weakened structural wood. Pre-construction termite treatment creates a continuous barrier at the only moment you can reach every critical zone (beneath slabs, along footings, and around penetrations). It’s proactive protection that typically costs far less than repairs, aligns with building best practices, and in many termite-prone regions is required by code for new construction. Prevention during the build is simply the most effective, economical option.

When to schedule termite pretreatments during construction

Timing is everything. Pretreatments are applied in stages so the barrier stays continuous from the soil to the structure. Coordinate your builder, inspections, and licensed applicator for multiple trips; labels and state guidance generally follow this sequence.

• Footings/foundation walls: Trench/rod adjacent soil after footings are poured and walls or pillars are built—before backfill.
• Sub‑slab areas: Treat the sub‑slab fill after it’s placed and leveled, before the slab is poured.
• Crawl spaces: After foundation backfill, create vertical barriers along interior/exterior faces.
• Framing (rough‑in): Apply borate wood treatments to studs, sill plates, joists before insulation/drywall.
• Final grade: Apply exterior perimeter treatment at final grading; install bait stations only after final grade and landscaping.

Methods you can use: soil, wood, bait, and physical barriers

Pre-construction termite treatment isn’t one thing—it’s a toolkit. The most durable protection usually blends methods to match your site, code requirements, and construction type. Here are the options builders and licensed applicators rely on—and when each shines.

• Soil-applied liquids: Create horizontal barriers under slabs and vertical barriers along footings and walls; a cornerstone in termite-prone regions.
• Borate wood treatment: Applied to framing (sills, studs, joists) during rough‑in to protect treated wood fibers; often paired with perimeter soil treatments where code requires.
• Bait/monitoring systems: Installed after final grade/landscaping; reduce or eliminate colonies but don’t form a barrier and require ongoing inspections.
• Physical barriers: Stainless steel mesh, metal shields and pipe collars, plus graded sand/crushed basalt around perimeters and penetrations to block entry without chemicals—effective when correctly specified and installed.

Soil-applied termiticides: how they work and where they go

Soil‑applied termiticides are the backbone of pre‑construction termite treatment. They form a continuous chemical barrier by saturating sub‑slab fill before concrete is poured and by treating soil adjacent to foundations. Labels prescribe volumes and locations—for example, 1 gallon per 10 sq ft of sub‑slab fill (1.5 gal per 10 sq ft over washed stone) and about 4 gallons per 10 linear ft per foot of depth for vertical barriers, typically down to 4 ft. Licensed pros also protect drains and wells by keeping product out of drainage systems.

• Under slabs: Treat sub‑slab fill after it’s placed and leveled, before the pour—pay special attention to bath traps, plumbing outlets, and construction joints.
• Along foundations: Trench/rod on all sides of footings, walls, pillars, and chimney bases; on deep footings/basements, apply as backfill is placed.
• Perimeter at final grade: Establish a continuous exterior band at finished grade and coordinate with landscaping to avoid disturbing treated soil.
• Utility penetrations: Treat soil around pipes and conduits; pair with collars/shields for added protection at entry points.

Wood treatment with borates: best uses and limitations

Borate wood treatment (often called Bora‑Care) is a pre-construction termite treatment applied to framing during rough‑in. The borate diffuses into the wood fibers; it’s low in human toxicity yet lethal to termites when they ingest treated wood. You can also specify borate‑pressure‑treated lumber for sill plates and other high-risk components to extend protection at key contact points.

• Best uses: Treat interior framing before insulation/drywall—sill plates, studs, joists, subflooring—and pair with soil barriers for comprehensive coverage.
• Code realities: Borates don’t create a soil barrier; many jurisdictions still require a perimeter liquid treatment (e.g., Mississippi).
• Scope limits: Only protects the wood that’s actually treated; exterior or ground‑contact members still need pressure‑treated lumber.
• Timing: Apply on clean, accessible wood surfaces during rough‑in; verify label coverage and inspection sign‑off to keep warranties valid.

Physical barriers and shields: mesh, collars, and sand or basalt

Physical barriers are non-chemical components you build in from day one to block hidden entry points. They don’t kill termites; they stop access. Used with soil or wood pretreatments, they’re especially valuable around utility penetrations, foundations, and other high-risk joints where a continuous seal is critical.

• Stainless steel mesh: Installed under slabs, at cold joints, and around pipes; specify corrosion‑resistant (e.g., 304/316). Seams must be overlapped and sealed to remain continuous.
• Termite shields/flashing: Corrosion‑resistant metal atop foundation walls and piers that forces termites to the exterior where mud tubes are visible and treatable.
• Pipe collars/sleeves: Preformed collars around plumbing and conduits before the pour to close annular gaps that often become concealed entry routes.
• Particle barriers (sand/crushed basalt): Precisely graded, angular particles under/around foundations create voids too small to tunnel and too heavy to move—chemical‑free but region‑ and spec‑dependent.
• Detailing that counts: Maintain continuity, seal penetrations, avoid post‑install fasteners, and schedule inspections before concrete placement or backfill.

Termite-resistant design and building practices

Design decisions can quietly make or break your pre-construction termite treatment. The goal is simple: remove food, reduce moisture, and block hidden pathways—while keeping inspection access open for the life of the home. Build these details into plans and schedules so they’re completed before pours, backfill, and finishes.

• Remove cellulose and form boards: Clear stumps, wood scrap, and grade stakes.
• Keep wood out of soil: Use concrete support; pressure‑treated if unavoidable.
• Maintain clearances: Siding 6 inches up; crawl beams 18 inches.
• Control moisture: Slope grade, add gutters, ventilate; drain condensate outside.
• Seal entries and preserve access: Shields/mesh/collars; keep foundation visible.

Regional risk and construction types to consider

Termite pressure isn’t uniform. Subterranean species dominate across the U.S.; in North Carolina they’re the primary concern, with Formosan termites found only in a few locales. Risk rises with warm, moist soils and poor drainage. Construction type also drives the pretreat plan: slab‑on‑grade needs a horizontal sub‑slab treatment before the pour; crawl spaces call for vertical barriers plus ventilation and wood clearances; basements require deep footing/backfill applications and attention to cracks and joints. Where liquids are limited (e.g., near drains or wells), bait/monitoring systems and physical barriers are viable, while graded sand/crushed basalt remains region‑ and spec‑dependent.

Code requirements, paperwork, and warranties

In many termite‑prone areas, building codes require pre-construction termite treatment, and HUD mandates pretreatments in 34 states, with additional local rules elsewhere. Treatments must be performed by a licensed applicator and strictly follow label directions that prescribe volumes, concentrations, and application locations to create a uniform barrier. Some jurisdictions accept alternatives but document exceptions—for example, North Carolina uses a Sub Slab Release Form when a slab is poured without the required sub‑slab treatment, and bait/monitoring systems there are installed only after final grading. Expect ongoing service commitments too; bait program maintenance is typically costlier than conventional warranties and requires regular inspections.

• Keep your records: Applicator documentation showing where, when, and how much product was applied per label; any required forms (e.g., Sub Slab Release Form).
• Protect your warranty: Follow label and service terms—disturbing treated soil (e.g., heavy landscaping near the foundation) can compromise protection; bait systems require periodic monitoring.

Costs and how to budget for pretreatment

Your pretreatment budget depends on method mix, footprint and foundation type (slab, crawl, or basement), soil/drainage conditions, number of site visits, and local code requirements. Soil-applied termiticides are the backbone and generally the most cost-effective upfront. Borate wood treatment adds targeted protection during rough‑in. Bait systems shift cost into ongoing monitoring, which agencies note is typically higher to maintain than conventional warranties. Done right, pretreatment costs are minimal compared with repairing termite damage.

• Define full scope: Horizontal sub‑slab, vertical foundation barriers, utility penetrations; add borates at vulnerable framing and key physical barriers.
• Consolidate visits: Coordinate trades so the applicator can complete stages in as few trips as practical (often three with careful scheduling).
• Sequence with grading: Finish final grade before exterior perimeter or bait installs to avoid rework.
• Protect the barrier: Plan landscaping and hardscapes to prevent disturbing treated soil—warranty issues and re‑treat fees add up.
• Compare warranties/maintenance: Bait agreements usually cost more to service than conventional liquid warranties; weigh long‑term value.
• Capture documentation: Keep application records and required forms for code compliance and future resale.

How long protection lasts and post-construction maintenance

There’s no one “expiration date” for pre-construction termite treatment. Longevity depends on the product label, application quality, soil and drainage, and whether the barrier stays undisturbed. Liquid termiticides create soil barriers; borates protect only treated wood; baits depend on ongoing service. Most warranties require periodic checks, and North Carolina guidance recommends thorough annual inspections. Keep moisture low, maintain clearances, and call your provider before any digging that could break the barrier.

• Schedule inspections: Annually; bait systems per label monitoring.
• Protect the barrier: Avoid trenching or new beds at the foundation.
• Control moisture: Slope soil, use gutters, drain condensate outside.
• Maintain clearances: Siding 6 inches up; crawl beams 18 inches.
• Watch for activity: Look for mud tubes and discarded wings; act fast.

How to choose a licensed termite pretreatment provider

The right partner will protect your build, pass inspections, and keep warranties enforceable. Look for a licensed, insured company with deep new‑construction experience that can explain how their pre-construction termite treatment will meet label directions and local code, coordinate around pours and grading, and document every stage for your records.

• Verify licensing/insurance: Active structural pest license and coverage.
• New-build expertise: Proven work on slab, crawl, and basement projects.
• Full toolbox: Soil liquids, borate wood treatment, physical barriers, baits.
• Code + paperwork: Follows labels; supplies certificates/maps; knows local forms (e.g., sub‑slab release where applicable).
• Scheduling savvy: Coordinates multi‑stage visits, often consolidated into ~3 trips aligned with inspections/pours/final grade.
• Warranty clarity: Terms in writing; bait programs need ongoing monitoring and usually cost more to maintain.
• Site protection: Keeps products out of drains/wells and advises how to avoid disturbing treated soil post‑install.

Common pitfalls that void protection

Even the best pre-construction termite treatment can be undone by shortcuts and post‑build changes. Warranties and code compliance hinge on preserving the soil barrier, keeping moisture in check, and documenting work performed by a licensed applicator. Avoid these common mistakes that open the door to termites.

• Skipping stages: Pouring slabs before sub‑slab treatment or missing required applications.
• Disturbing treated soil: Regrading, trenching, new beds, or fence posts at the foundation.
• Feeding termites: Leaving form boards/debris buried or allowing wood‑to‑soil contact.
• Inviting moisture: Poor drainage/ventilation, mulch against siding, or condensate under the house.
• Losing clearances: Siding under 6 inches or crawl beams under 18 inches.
• Neglecting baits: Installing before final grade or skipping required monitoring visits.
• Breaking continuity/documentation: Unsealed penetrations (no collars/mesh), blocked inspection access, or treatments not performed per label by a licensed pro.

Quick answers to common questions

Here are fast, field-tested answers to the questions builders and homeowners ask most about pre-construction termite treatment so you can plan, schedule, and stay code-compliant without surprises.

• Is pretreatment required? In many termite‑prone areas it is; HUD mandates it in 34 states and local codes often add requirements—confirm with your building department.
• Can borates replace soil treatment? Usually not; borates protect treated wood but don’t create a soil barrier, and many jurisdictions still require a perimeter liquid treatment.
• When do you treat under a slab? After sub‑slab fill is placed and leveled, before the pour—typically at about 1 gal per 10 sq ft (1.5 gal over washed stone).
• When are bait stations installed? Only after final grading and landscaping are complete.
• Can I DIY a pretreat? Don’t; state guidance notes it requires specialized equipment and must follow label directions—use a licensed applicator.
• What paperwork should I keep? Treatment records/certificates, site maps, and any required forms (e.g., sub‑slab release if a stage was skipped).

Next steps

You’re ready to build smart. Confirm your foundation type and local code rules, choose the method mix (soil barrier, borate, physical barriers, and/or baits), and lock in a schedule: footings and foundation, sub‑slab fill before the pour, borate at rough‑in, and perimeter treatment or baits after final grade. Coordinate drainage, wood clearances, and utility collars, and keep treatment records and warranty terms in one place.

Bring in your licensed partner early to review plans and stage visits so nothing gets missed between inspections and pours. If you want a clear plan and one point of accountability, request a pre‑construction termite treatment plan from Redi Pest Control.