Termite Control

Understanding Termite Control

Termite treatment primarily involves soil treatment with pesticides to establish a protective barrier, preventing termite entry into buildings. The process includes drilling holes, injecting a pesticide emulsion, and sealing the treated areas to ensure long-term protection.

Challenges in Treating Existing Buildings

Managing termite infestations in established structures presents several challenges:

• Multiple underground termite colonies may be active.
• Concrete-covered soil limits direct treatment access.
• Electrical wiring and plumbing systems provide alternative entry points for termites.
• Moisture leaks, wall cracks, and structural defects increase the risk of infestation.

Inspection Process

A thorough inspection is crucial to identifying the extent of infestation and entry points. Key areas to check include:

• Wooden structures, furniture, and electrical boxes.
• Cracks in walls, paneling, and flooring.
• High-risk zones with moisture and limited light, such as lofts, lift shafts, kitchen cabinets, and electrical installations.

Effective Treatment Procedures

External Foundation Treatment

• Remove visible termite mud tubes.
• Shift furniture away from affected walls.
• Drill 12 mm holes (12 inches deep) along the foundation.
• Apply a pesticide emulsion at the recommended dosage.

Internal Floor Treatment

• Identify cracks at floor-wall junctions, construction joints, and expansion joints.
• Drill holes in critical areas and inject pesticide to create a chemical barrier.

Wall & Floor Junction Treatment

• Drill 12 mm holes at wall-floor junctions, ensuring they reach the soil.
• Use a pressure pump to inject pesticide until saturation (maximum of 1 liter per hole).

Treatment for Skirting & Upper Floors

• Drill holes 1 inch above the skirting to prevent floor damage.
• For masonry walls, drill at the plinth level.
• Adjust drilling depth based on wall thickness.

Drilling Guidelines

• Maintain a 45° drilling angle, spacing holes at 1-foot intervals.
• For staircases, drill 4-inch deep holes at step-wall junctions.
• Avoid drilling inside bathrooms to prevent leakage—treat from exterior walls instead.

Woodwork Treatment

• Drill 3 mm holes in infested wooden structures and apply pesticide.
• Replace severely damaged wood.
• Treat new wood with chemical preservatives before installation.

Electrical Fixtures & Expansion Joints

• Apply insecticidal dust to infested switch boxes.
• For expansion joints, drill 12 mm holes (8 inches deep) at 1-foot intervals and inject pesticide.

Best Practices for Termite Treatment

Do’s:

✔ Follow manufacturer instructions for pesticide dilution.
✔ Apply pesticides systematically, covering all critical areas.
✔ Seal treated holes after application.

Don’ts:

✖ Avoid drilling through plumbing lines.
✖ Do not skip essential treatment steps that ensure effectiveness.

Pesticide Options for Termite Control

Repellent Termiticides:

• Bifenthrin
• Chlorpyrifos

Non-Repellent Termiticides:

• Imidacloprid
• Fipronil

How Non-Repellent Termiticides Work

1. Termites unknowingly enter the treated soil.
2. The pesticide is absorbed through contact and ingestion.
3. Contaminated termites return to their colony, transferring the pesticide through grooming and food sharing.
4. The colony-wide contamination eventually leads to extermination.

Key Product Features

• Non-repellent formula with minimal odor.
• Easy to dilute and apply using hand-operated spray pumps.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively eliminate termites at their source while preventing future infestations. Proper inspection, targeted treatment, and the right pesticide choice ensure long-term protection against termite damage.