Termites are social insects. They are best known for their wood eating habit. They feed on dead plants, animals, timbers, and anything that contains cellulose.
There are 2600 taxonomically known species of termites. Termites are also known to be a good bio reactor as they can recycle anything that contains cellulose and hence helps in many natural recycling procedures.
A typical colony contains nymphs (semi-mature young), workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both genders, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens.
Termites undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, with three developmental stages:
1. Egg
2. Nymph
3. Adult
The eggs hatch into nymphs that are fed by the workers, and these nymphs then moult several times, differentiating into worker, soldier or reproductive forms. Development into adult forms takes several months, depending on food, temperature and the size of the colony. Hormones are thought to control the numbers of each caste, with imbalances corrected by nymphs developing into whichever form is needed at the time.
Detection Of Termite
As termites remain concealed, it is very difficult to detect their presence without the help of professionals. But some signs of termite which can warn you against termites are:
There are three different signs of termite presence.
1. Swarmers- Presence of swarmer on the window sills, indoor lights detects the activity of these termites. Swarmers if found outside the premise is a natural phenomenon but it should not be taken for granted as it could lead to severe damage.
2. Wings-Swarmer discard their wings. These discarded wings also indicates termite presence.
3. Rotten/ Damaged Wood-Hollow, damaged and rotten wood clues for the presence of termites. If a wood gives a thudding sound on beaten up, should examined for termites. Presence of soil mounds near your premise also indicates presence of termites.
Damages
Termite can end up eating anything they prefer even human. Their wood eating habit makes them the worst enemy for wood. As they remain concealed to protect themselves from unfavorable climate, it is difficult to detect them until major damage has been done. As soon as they enter a building they do not limit themselves to wood but infest other things made up of cellulose. Termites have a major entry to a building is through soil., but can even be transmitted through soft plastics, plaster, rubber and sealants such as silicon rubber and acrylics and construction materials. Any material which is in direct contact with the soil such as trees, vines or plumbing fixtures — serves as an avenue of infestation.
Control & Prevention Tips
- Proper Cleanliness of the premise
- Remove all old wooden debris, clothes, etc
- Get your premise an anti-termite treatment pre/post construction.
- Keep all wood away from soil contact.
- Go for routine check up of the premise by professional and experienced termite control
Pre-construction Anti Termite treatment is a Scientific process of preventing entry of subterranean species of termites into the buildings by creating a chemical barrier in the soil surrouding the premises. The various stages of treatment are as follows:
- 1. Foundation Trench Treatment: This treatment is carried out after the excavation is over and before laying the concrete.
- 2. Backfilled Soil Treatment : Once the soil is filled along with walls and columns up to ground level, we grout holes along the walls and columns and inject the insecticidal emulsion under pressure .
- 3. Under Floor Treatment : After the soil has been filled up to plinth level and properly compacted before sand filling , the entire carpet area is grouted and chemical emulsion injected under pressure in the entire carpet area.
- 4. Treatment along exterior wall perimeter: A chemical barrier is created along exterior wall perimeter of the built-up area by grouting holes & injecting the insecticidal emulsion.
the Termites start invading your premises, these pest can damage and destroy all wood fixtures, important documents, stationary, insulation of electrical and telephone wiring etc. To control these pest we carry out the treatment in following steps :
- 1. Treatment of all wooden fixtures such as door and window frames and cupboards by drilling hole s and injecting the insecticidal emulsion under Pressure.
- 2. Treatment of all wooden fixtures with oil based Wood preservative- cum- insecticides.
- 3. Fumigation of termite’s outlets.
- 4. Fumigation of conduit lines. We use Chlorpyriphos 20% E.C. (ISI marked) in 1% emulsion.