Logix TX®
The ICF That Defends Against Termites
Logix TX Series products are currently available only in the South Central region of the USA that is serviced by our manufacturing facility located in Wichita, KS.
Standard and 90 Degree corner forms are available in TX Series, both in Logix Pro (assembled forms) and in Logix KD (unassembled).
Logix TX products typically have a longer lead time and must be ordered in full truckload quantities.
How Do Our Logix TX Products Work?
Every year, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in damage to over 600,000 American homes. These tiny pests make their way into wall cavities and feast on their meal of choice: wood. Their taste for organic matter leaves wood-framed homes in the termite risk areas notably vulnerable; but did you know that termites will chew through plastics to get to the interior wood stud walls beyond?
Logix TX is an ICF product that is designed to provide a secondary line of defense against termite damage and helps to prevent the critters from getting into homes and wreaking havoc.
Where Are Termites Found?
Apart from Alaska and Maine, all US states face a risk of termite invasions, most notably the Southern states. In these high-risk areas, the International Residential Code and the International Building Code, which form the basis for State and local codes, require special protection for foam plastics.
The EPS panels in Logix TX Series are treated with Imadacloprid to offer a secondary layer of protection against termites. Logix TX Series is available upon request from our plant in Kansas only, for shipment into "Heavy" infestation regions.
Note: Imadacloprid will not defend against carpenter ants
How Are Logix TX Forms Protected Against Termites?
Borate is a common remedy against termites, often applied to wood and foam plastics as a protective layer. That said, recent studies have shown that Borate-treated EPS is not an effective barrier to burrowing insects. Using Borate-treated EPS ICF does little to stop termites from chewing their way through ICF walls and ruining their insulative properties.
To create a better barrier against the pests, Logix designed the TX panel. Instead of Borates, these forms are treated with imidacloprid – a highly effective insecticide that kills termites and helps keep the EPS forms intact. Because each bead that makes up the EPS form is coated with this insecticide, termites quickly die before they can start chewing on the foam. This efficiency in incapacitating the pests is what gives imidacloprid, and Logix TX, an edge over Borates.
Is Imidacloprid Safe?
It’s only natural to worry when toxins are used inside a home. Since this compound is so good at killing termites, you may wonder if it’s equally dangerous to pets and humans. Let us put your mind at ease – unless it’s ingested in sizeable amounts, imidacloprid is a perfectly safe alternative to Borates. Here’s why we say this:
- It’s approved by the International Code Council (ICC). That’s right – in its Evaluation Report, ESR-2918, the ICC, a body committed to building safety, gave imidacloprid the green light for use in termite-resistant EPS treatments.
- It’s designed to work on insects. While the compound effectively attacks most insects’ nervous systems, studies have shown that only large, ingested amounts pose a risk to humans or animals. In fact, it’s often used on companion animals as a topical medicine to treat fleas, and sees wide use in crop protection.
- Enclosed in a wall assembly, there is no risk of the compound becoming airborne.
- It’s registered with the EPA as an approved means of treating wood, textiles, and plastics against insect attacks.
As far as insecticides go, imidacloprid is a safe way to prevent termite infestations. When used in wall assemblies, this compound poses no risk to humans and pets.
Termite infestations are a major problem affecting most regions in the United States. While these insects feed mostly on organic items such as wood, they are not deterred by foam plastics, such as ICFs, when out in search of food.
As conventional methods like Borate are ineffective when used with EPS products, Logix designed a new, proven, and code-compliant alternative – the Logix TX-series forms, available upon request from our plant in Kansas only, coated with the safe imidacloprid, these blocks help to kill termites before they have a chance to start chewing!
