Termites

posted by adme @ 11:53pm, Saturday 12 March 2011.

Each year millions of buildings are invaded by termites, causing millions of dollars in damage annually. Whenever termite infestation is detected in a building appropriate steps should be adopted to exterminate them. Termites are so clever and efficient that no efforts at termite-proof construction methods have worked out completely successful.

As a preventive measure, construction of new buildings has to abide a certain procedures starting the ground preparation and thereon. The following can serve as minimum requirements that must be carried out in any building project;

The standards and procedures of anti-termite treatment shall comply with the recommendations of the Pesticides Board (LRMP), National Certification of Conformity from the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the National Pest Control Association of America, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA)or the relevant local regulations governing such treatment where applicable.
The chemical recommended shall not have any detrimental effects whatsoever on human beings, animals or materials used in the construction of the substructure especially the reinforced concrete works and waterproofing materials etc. The chemical shall be environmentally friendly. Termiticide shall be ‘imidacloprid’ or equivalent which is approved by Pesticides Board (LRMP). The dilution and application rate will strictly be in accordance with the product label and manufacturer’s recommendations.
All loose timber, wood shavings and other cellulose-bearing materials shall be removed from build-on areas before the application of termite control treatment.
Areas of anti-termite treatment shall include the following:
a) Impregnation of excavated surfaces around the pile caps/stumps or prior to laying of lean concrete for footings,
b) Impregnation of ground beams boards and columns with termiticidal mixtures,
c) Impregnation of surfaces below ground floor slab areas after the hardcore has been laid but prior to the casting of concrete slab. Application of termiticide mixtures shall be made the same to the underside of suspended ground slab.
d) Impregnation of surfaces below apron/terraces and areas within 1.5 metre beyond the edge of the building apron/terraces.
e) Any other surfaces or areas through which termites’ infestation are likely to occur.
Soil treatment shall not be carried out when the soil is saturated or excessively wet (for example, during or after rainfall) or when it is likely to rain.
On completion of soil treatment, the treated soil shall be cast with a layer of lean concrete or ground slab. Concreting shall be carried out on the same day or the following day.
Soil treatment shall be repeated when the condition prevails in the event that any areas that have been treated is affected by water or the rain before concreting works commences or has been completed.
If specifically stated, the termite control treatment shall be a replenishable system. The approved chemical shall be replenished periodically in accordance to the liquid termicide manufacturer’s recommendations (this requirement incurs added cost).