Chemical soil treatment across the Gold Coast.
Termidor SC, Premise 200SC and equivalent non-repellent termiticide injected into soil around the building perimeter. Foraging termites contact the chemical, carry it back to the colony, eliminate the colony. 8–10 year barrier. Best response to active infestation + most common Gold Coast renewal option as 1990s permethrin treatments expire.
How chemical soil treatment actually works.
Non-repellent > repellent.
Pre-1995 termiticides (chlordane, dieldrin) were repellent — termites detected the chemical and avoided it. Effective for keeping termites OUT, useless once a colony already had access. Modern chemicals (fipronil = Termidor SC, imidacloprid = Premise 200SC) are non-repellent — termites can’t detect them and walk through the treated soil without alarm. They contact the chemical, return to the colony, transfer it to other workers and to the queen through grooming + trophallaxis. The whole colony dies within 90 days.
The application process.
- Site assessment. Identify the perimeter, garden beds, fence-lines, slab-edge expansion joints. Note soil type (sand needs more chemical; clay holds it).
- Trench-and-fill perimeter. Excavate a 200mm-wide x 300mm-deep trench around the building perimeter. Inject chemical into the trench. Backfill.
- Slab-edge injection. Where there’s a concrete slab edge, drill 12mm holes through the slab at 200mm centres and inject chemical below the slab.
- Garden / under-paving treatment. Inject chemical at depth where termites are likely to forage (garden beds, under paving, around tree stumps, around landscape timbers).
- Documentation. Termite Treatment Certificate filed under the meter box (with installation date, chemical used, expected lifespan, contractor licence number).
Chemical lifespan in Gold Coast soil.
- Termidor SC (fipronil 100g/L): 8–10 years in standard soil. Less in heavy sand (salt-flat suburbs).
- Premise 200SC (imidacloprid 200g/L): 5–8 years. Slightly cheaper but shorter life.
- Altriset (chlorantraniliprole): 8–10 years. Newer chemistry. More expensive. Lowest mammalian toxicity.
- Bistar 100 (bifenthrin): 5–8 years. Older repellent-class chemistry. Still used in some applications but non-repellent is preferred.
Cost on a typical Gold Coast property.
- Single-storey 4-bed, 600m² block: $2,500–$3,800 typical full perimeter + slab-edge treatment.
- Double-storey 5-bed, 800m²: $3,500–$5,500.
- Acreage homestead with multiple outbuildings: $5,500–$10,000 (separate treatments per building).
- Reticulation-system top-up (existing pipework already in slab): $1,200–$2,500.
- Active-infestation response treatment (with colony-elimination focus): premium ~20% above standard.
Kid + pet safety.
Modern non-repellent chemicals (Termidor, Premise, Altriset) are injected into soil and bind to soil particles. Once dry (~4 hours), there’s no re-entry interval — kids and pets can return to the yard immediately. Toxicity to mammals is very low (Termidor LD50 ~95 mg/kg in rats; Altriset is even lower). We walk every family through the safety spec at the quote stage.
When chemical isn’t the right answer.
- Heavy granite/rock soil where trenching is impractical (typical of inner Gold Coast hinterland) — baiting system better.
- Established gardens you don’t want disturbed — baiting system installs without disturbing landscape.
- Active large infestation with significant nest 50m+ from house — baiting system kills the queen faster than chemical perimeter.
- Eco-conscious clients — modern baiting system uses chemical only inside locked stations, much smaller environmental footprint.
Where we work.
Free chemical-treatment quote.
Property-specific chemical recommendation. Safety spec walked through. 8–10 year barrier guaranteed.