Source: Building Products News.

28 April 2005

Hychord now treated to the core - futurebuild has now launched its Hychord LVL [laminated veneer lumber] Truss Chords with termite treatment, added during manufacture. The termiticide is applied to the glueline so it really gets to the core of the engineered timber. Apart from preventing termite damage this means that when truss fabricators dock the ends there is no need for them to reseal. Apart from being extremely effective against termites south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the termiticide is also very safe. Called DeterMite it uses bifentrin which is approved for other applications such as an on ground termite barrier...

Online May 1, 2005, at: http://www.chhfuturebuild.com/WSMApage/0,1565,19065-1-article-52691,00.html

DeterMite - the benchmark for LVL termite protection.

With growing concern over damage to houses resulting from termite infestation, Osmose® has recently developed a Bifenthrin-based, timber treatment product, marketed as DeterMite®. Bifenthrin has developed over many years to be one of Australia’s most successful insecticides around the home. Commonly found in many soil treatment formulations and even in ‘repellent’ candles for discouraging ‘mozzies’, Bifenthrin has recently proven to be one of the most cost effective and highest performing H2 treatments available for timber.

Osmose has built on the proven history of Bifenthrin and developed the technology as a preservative for timber, specifically providing protection to timber from termites in areas south of the Tropic of Capricorn (H2-S). The new technology can be added to the glueline used in many engineered building products such as Hyspan® Structural LVL [laminated veneer lumber] and Hybeam® Engineered I-Joists by futurebuild®.

Dr Javier Romero, Product Development Manager with Osmose explains further "We have developed this product in response to the market demand for a cost effective, safe and easy to work with alternative to existing termite treatments.”

DeterMite has been vigorously tested both in the laboratory and in practice, with many test houses and physical test sites having been built and monitored. “Our aim is to look at traditional products and utilise them in non-traditional ways. For each new product developed, Osmose implements a rigorous test process to ensure the preservatives meet local conditions,” adds Dr Romero.

The process for gaining approval by the Australian Standards organisation and its technical sub-committee (TM6) involves benchmarking new preservatives and proving efficacy is ‘at least as good’ as the current industry standard. DeterMite passed these tests with flying colours and even offers some new benefits.

Tested extensively by the CSIRO, the product is approved by the Agricultural Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), TUMA (QLD), TMA (NSW) and included in the Australian Timber Treatment Standard AS1604. DeterMite was the first termite resistant product to be developed with the active ingredient Bifenthrin.

DeterMite is not only an insecticide which relies on the termites ingesting the product, but also a repellent which discourages termites and makes them prefer to find a meal elsewhere. This dual action is unique and should provide specifiers, builders and home owners additional comfort.

LVL treated with DeterMite requires no change in normal building practice, handling recommendations or additional maintenance. Furthermore, with the range of H2-S treated products by futurebuild, resealing is not needed either, as the insecticide is present throughout all layers of the LVL – from surface to core.
More information can be found by following this links to Hyspan or Hybeam or visit http://www.osmose.com.au/