Does anybody install termite shields, between the foundation and mudsill, anymore? If so is it a regional thing? Do they work? Can they be retrofitted to an existing house? I’m in Massachusetts (just south of Boston) and found a termite mud tunnel on my foundation wall several years ago. The termite inspection did not find any other evidence of an infestation, e.g. sawdust or wings, but just to play it safe I had the Sentricon system installed around the house and have continued to renew the service contract to have the company monitor the system and bait it as needed. Inspector told me that termites were moving toward the northern part of the country. I’ve seen a few houses with the metal shields but not a whole lot.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Easy-to-make tools simplify the framing, while time-tested flashing techniques make it last a lifetime.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
My understanding is that your garden-variety termites must build a mud tunnel from the ground across any impervious material (masonry, etc) to the point where they can connect with wood. The termite shields therefore must project outward enough (an inch or two, I suppose) to prevent the construction of those tunnels. In theory, if the shields project outward, they do not need to cover the entire top of the foundation, if the foundation contains no cracks or voids that the termites can build tunnels through.
So you might get away with just jambing pieces of flashing into the joint between foundation and plate, leaving an inch or two projecting. Or you might not.
(I'm pretty sure that termite shields are common in some parts of the country (Hawaii, eg), but (based on Florida's recent thread) not too common in other areas where they should be.)
(And, yeah, termites are going to become more and more of a problem over the next few decades.)
In Illinois I see them off and on.
You asked if they work. I think they do, if you understand they their purpose is to force the termites to build mud tunnels out in the open where you can see them. They don't keep termites out of the building.
Perimeter Insulation.
The only time I have used a termite shield is in this situation. 2x6 stud walls, 2" over the edge of a slab with 2" foam on the edge of the slab. Sheet metal covering the insulation and turned under the bottom plate. Termites would not be able to hide behind the foam to get to the stud wall.