About termite
There are over 2300 known species of termite in the world. Besides recycling of the nutrients, termites are also known to attack and damage wooden material present in the houses. Out of the known species of termites, 183 species are known to damage buildings and 83 species cause significant damage.
Termites colonies may range from few hundred to over a million individuals. A subterranean termite colony consists individuals of various castes, viz. queen, king, workers and soldiers, primary and secondary reproductive.
Queen:
Queen is the most important member of the termite colony and regulates the functioning of the colony. After mating queen produces eggs which may sometimes be as many as 30,000 a day.
Termite Eggs & Nymphs:
Eggs and nymphs are taken care by workers
Workers:
Workers build nest, locate and collect food, bring food to the nest, feed all members of the colony, tending the young ones, etc.
Primary reproductive:
Once the termite colony is mature, the queen produce primary reproductive which take mating flights and become kings and queens to start a new colony in other location
Secondary reproductive
These individuals resemble queens and kings and can take over the function of reproductive queen should anything happen to queen.
Behavior:
Termites are cryptic in behavior and mostly work in unnoticed way. They are as small as ants, but when they work together, they have a proven reputation of large-scale damage to the wooden material in houses. Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground and survive by consuming wood. They work in a methodical manner, starting with the formation of colonies. The workers in the colony find a source of wood by burrowing through the ground and making tunnels, they bring back the food to feed other members of their colony. Termites don’t just cause cosmetic damage, they may consume into the very structure of the house, wooden beams that support the structure, ceiling joists, wall studs and plywood panels on walls, door and window frames, wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, bed and all the articles that are made of wood, plywood or that contain cellulose (including gypsum boards). Termite-damaged wood is hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Occasionally termites also bore tiny holes through drywall or plaster, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin. If termite inspection reveals a superficial termite damage, chances are high that there’s more damage beneath and it is difficult to determine how long the colony has been established in that area/home.
Termite Protection Options
Post construction
What is Post construction treatment?
-Treatment of subterranean termites is done by treating the soil adjacent to or under the building with a product which kills or repels termites.
-This treatment consists of drilling holes and filling it with a recommended pesticide emulsion and sealing the holes after treatment.
Critical Inspection Areas
-Fall ceiling plywood/ sheet
-Artwork items, picture frames and mirror frames, wooden decorative artifacts, etc.
-Stored wood items, cartons, books, etc. in the lofts
-Bathroom & Toilet doors and windows
-Drainage pipes
-Lift wells
-Stair case
-Expansion joints
-Any earth-to-wood contact points
Pre-construction
Pre-construction damage:
-Termites damage household articles like furniture, plywood, clothing, stationery, etc. by feeding on wood and other organic material having cellulose base.
-Subterranean termites make nest in soil and workers search for wood by burrowing through the ground and making tunnels of mud.
-They travel through masonry work, brick walls and conduits of the building to the source of food and cause damage to the property and belongings.
What is the solution to the problem?
-Treating the soil beneath the building and around foundations when it is still in the process of construction is a good way to prevent termite infestation.
-Pre-construction anti-termite treatment is attracting attention throughout the world.
-The soil in immediate contact with the foundation and floor structure of a building is treated with an insecticide which kills or repels termites thus forming a toxic barrier which is lethal to termite entry.
-Pre-construction anti-termite treatment is done in the early stages of construction so as to prevent termite infestation in the constructed building.
Role of Architects & Builders
Architects, Engineers, Contractors and builders who are responsible for the design and construction of such buildings would be doing a great service to their clients if they can help in making these buildings safe from termite attack.
The steps involved in Pre-construction anti termite treatment:
-Inspection
-Site Preparation
-Rightful application
Important Points
-The pre-construction anti-termite treatment is effective only against subterranean termites and does not give any protection for dry-wood termites or other pests of wood.
-After completion of pre-construction anti-termite treatment, if there is any construction/ masonry work in the treated area, the chemical barrier may get disturbed.
-In such a situation the concerned authority of the building should inform your Professional Pest Management company so that immediate measures are taken to restore the chemical barrier and ensure prevention of termite entry.
Do’s and Don’ts
-Each part of the area treated should receive the prescribed dose rate of pesticide for the treatment to be effective.
-Barrier should be complete and continuous under the whole of the structure to be protected.
-All foundations should be fully surrounded by and in close contact with the barrier or treated soil.
-Do not allow personnel to enter the plots where the treatment is in progress.
-Do not store pesticides in empty containers.
