Gulf Construction Online - Chemicals play key role in pest control

Chemicals In Construction

Termite control.... Masa operators at work

Chemicals play key role in pest control

01 September 2003

White ants could be a cause for serious concern to the construction industry if the pre-treatment of building sites is not carried as per norms. While there exist a host of methods that offer varying results, a method of chemical-induced treatment introduced by Masa is highly effective against termites and could help in the protection of houses and buildings from the borer-pests, claims the company.

For more than 23 years, Saudi-based Masa Establishment Pest Extermination Services has been focusing on improving methods and techniques linked to pest control in the region.

Earlier efforts at termite control have not been effective largely because of the difficulty in pinpointing the foraging area of the termites and predicting the area likely to be attacked.
The presence of cellulosic material, moderate temperature, or moisture, or a combination of all these factors could influence the breeding of termites. 'Most termites are found to limit their foraging activities to the top soil, because this is where they get much of their supply of food and oxygen. However, they are also found to survive in drier wood as long as there is moisture,'' says Valentin Diego of Masa Establishment.

'Usually, infestations occur along the perimeter walls and adjoining areas, rather than in the centre of buildings. This has much to do with location of entry points and probably has a lot to do with moisture. The presence of a large numbers of alates is also an indicative of a structure infestation,' says Diego. 'If flying alates, the reproductive species of termites, are unable to find the moist wood or soil substrate needed to build a successful colony, they either desiccate or undertake dispersed flights. Most dispersed flights are likely to produce newer colonies that can become a potential threat in future.'

'To protect a structure from termites and damage, a soil barrier or repellent has to be created. The soil in basement areas should be treated using a low-pressure power spray to obtain an equal distribution of chemical on the soil. Soil treatment must be done while laying the foundation of the structure. Pesticides should be sprayed on the backfill soil or soil refills on floor slab and outside the perimeter of the building. Soil barrier application should be applied before pouring the slab concrete, stage by stage,' he says.

For buildings already constructed, a different method of termite treatment is used. Diego suggests that such treatment could be done by drilling small holes in the floor slab concrete around the perimeter (inside and outside) and opposite sides of partition walls through injection at low pressure. Flower boxes or other parts of the structure that protrude out from the structure, and the soil used in bath traps must be treated chemically.
Cracks, expansion joints and voids under basement floor or slab, areas where pipes and utility lines penetrate slab or basement floor and soil beneath porch or deck and between steps, also need chemical treatment.

'A pest control operator and homeowner or builder should be particularly careful during the laying or fixing of floor tiles or marble after the floor slab concrete has been laid. Soil substrate is used to easily fix the level of the floor tiles, however, the untreated soil substrate can favour a termite activity. The thicker the soil substrate the more moisture it will absorb and retain,' he adds.