Termite Shield or Not
 

So, the foundation to my new house has been finished other than the excavator coming back and finishing the grade at the back wall. Now I need to install the mudsill. I had planned on installing a termite shield. However, no one in my area sells flashing suitable for a termite shield. Is the termite shield worth ordering from somewhere and installing? Or, should I just forget the termite shield?

aluminum roof flashing will work. if your usingpressure treated sill plates not 100% necessary but in your climate might want to loof into foam undersill. will help to weather seal

Termite Biology
 

Termites are for all extensive purposes blind. They do however constantly send out scouts to look for a meal. Any old flashing, above grade, will present a detour in their route. Insects in general do not generally know how to turn fine edges. In ten years, I've only seen two examples of free air mud tubes that could possibly beat the termite shield idea.

One made loops around an old Indian motorcycle... Evil Knievel came back as a termite... you heard it here first.

I am curious if anyone else has looked into crushed granite backfill as another way to beat termites. I read an Australian paper that the proper grade, about termite size, was too heavy for them to move.