What is the main purpose of trenching when treating a structure?

The main purpose of trenching when treating a structure is to ensure adequate penetration of chemicals into the soil. Trenching involves digging a narrow trench around the foundation of a building, which allows for the application of pesticide formulations or treatments directly into the soil where termites and other pests may enter. This method enhances the effectiveness of the treatment by creating a continuous barrier that can prevent future infestations. Adequate penetration is essential to ensure that the chemical reaches the depths where termites typically reside, thus maximizing its pest control efficacy.

In contrast, improving aesthetics does not serve a functional purpose in pest control and is unrelated to trenching. Keeping pets away from the chemicals is a safety concern but not the main reason for trenching; other methods can effectively address pet safety. Monitoring for termite activity is an important part of pest management but does not align with the purpose of trenching, which focuses on treatment application rather than detection.