A termite shield is a sheet metal fabrication used in light frame construction to reduce the movement of termites from the soil into wood framing members such as floor joists and studs.
Video Termite shield
Materials
Termite shields can be made up of various materials. One type of termite shield is made from various sheet metals including galvanized steel, terne, copper, or aluminum. The metal is formed to fit between the top of the foundation wall and the bottom of the wood sole plate. The edges of the termite shield are typically hemmed, extended slightly beyond the face of the wall, and turned down to form a drip edge which diverts water running down the face of the wall and reduce the movement of subterranean termites from the soil up into the wood framing members. Termite shields will not protect a building from termite activity, but help make termite activity more visible.
Lately, granite and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shield can be installed into tiny brick open spaces where termites can enter the building surrounding the whole perimeter of the property. The termite shield is too thick for the termites to chew and penetrate the material forcing the termites to migrate into the open where they can be more easily eradicated. The benefits of using this type of material is that they are sustainable to the environment being awarded Environmental Choice Declaration from the Environmental Labelling Association. Other benefits include being cheaper than metals, and can be coupled with other shield protection systems.
There are two other materials called "termite barriers" rather than "termite shields" which have been evaluated by the International Code Council. http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/load_file.cfm?file_type=pdf&file_name=ESR-3632.pdf http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1860.pdf. One is a waterproofing membrane, and the other is a wire mesh. More description of these barriers can be found in the Wikipedia article "Termite Barriers". More description of these barriers can be found in the Wikipedia article "Termite Barriers"
Maps Termite shield
References
Ecopoise Pest & Hygiene- 078 911 8067
Chamane Pest & Hygiene- 071 0970 328
Source of the article : Wikipedia