South Carolina building code requires that all new residences have some type of terimite protection during construction.
Soil-applied liquid termiticides form a continuous chemical barrier in the soil around both sides of the foundation. For houses with crawlspaces, the soil around the piers that will support the floor system is also treated. This barrier should prevent foraging termites from reaching the foundation and piers and, ultimately, the wood in your house. For slab construction (including foundations, patios and garages), the entire soil (or gravel) surface is treated before the vapor barrier is installed and the slab poured over it. Usually a soil treatment is not a one-time application. It is done in stages coordinated with all building activities from foundation construction through final grading of the soil around the building’s exterior.