Termites:

Termites are considered to be one of the most destructive pests in the world. Termites are insects, which mostly feed on dead plant matter like woodchip, decayed wood (logs), leaf litter and soil.

Prevention From Termites:

1. Pre-construction Soil Treatment:

One liter structure preservative is to be mixed with 50 Liters of water to make a powerful emulsion. The emulsion is applied evenly either with a watering can or sprayer at the following stages

Stage 1: Treat the bottom surface and the sides up to 30cms height of the excavation made for the column pits, walls, trenches and basement by using 6 liters of preservative per square meter of surface area.

Stage 2: Treat the refill earth on both sides of wall approximately 30cmsx46cms deep using about 9 liters of emulsion per square meter of vertical surface area of sub structure.

Stage 3: Treat the entire levelled surface before laying the flooring before using about 6 liters of emulsion per square meter. For RCC framed structure with column and plinth beams and RC basement, the treatment should be started from a depth of 45cms below ground level. At places where pipes are waste and conduits enter soil, loosen the soil for a distance of 15cmsx10cms deep and thoroughly drench with the emulsion.

2. Existing Buildings:

In existing buildings not only the ground floor but upper floors are also vulnerable to termite attacks.

Termites travel from ground floor to upper floors through lift, walls, electrical cables, telephone cables, utility pipes etc, and hence wood paneling on staircases kitchens, false ceilings and bathrooms are more vulnerable to the attacks.

A) External Area Treatment:

1) Shovel with trenches should be dug along the external wall of the building for exposing the foundation wall surface up to a depth of 45cms. Make about 30cms deep rod holes at a distance of 15cms each all along the trench. Pour 2 liters of Preservative emulsion per linear meter of the trench.

2) The backfill earth should be treated using 1 liter of emulsion spray per running meter as it is returned to the trench directing the spray of emulsion towards the vertical wall surface.

B) RCC Structure Treatment:

Shovel with trenches should be dug exposing the side of the column and plinth beam and up to 30cms or up to the bottom of the plinth beam and backfill earth applied with Preservative emulsion as it is returned to the trench using about 9 liters per square meter of the vertical surface of the structure.

C) Soil Below the Floor Treatment:

Termites access the building from any opening under the floor hence the following treatment is recommended

1) Drill 1.25 cm holes at the joints of the floor and walls along the cracks on the floor and along the construction joints at the interval of 30cms to reach the soil under the floor. Spray pumps with preservative emulsion using 1 liter per hole or until refusal and seals the holes properly.

2) In the masonry walls, drill holes of 1.25cms at 45 degree angle perfectly from both sides of plinth wall at 30cms interval. Soak the masonry wall with preservation emulsion until refusal and seals the holes properly.

Termite infested wood work should be treated with wood preservative application. To prevent reoccurrence of termite attack treat the ground floor of the buildings as stated above.

3. Exterior Wall Paints:

Structure Preservative is highly effective in prevention and control of fungus attack on exterior painted surface of buildings. Use of 5% Structure preservative with 95% Exterior paint emulsion increases the life of exterior painting. This is done by providing preventive protection from emergence.