Termite Control Pre-Construction

Pre Construction Anti-Termite Treatment: Procedure, Benefits & Chemicals

Termites are pests that, when left untreated, could harm your wooden appliances and the walls and floors of your home. Many people believe that termite treatment can only be performed after their presence is detected. Still, thanks to modern technology, termite treatment can be conducted during the construction of a home. While termites are not known to transmit or carry any diseases, there are instances where people have reported being allergic or suffering from asthma attacks. Any place providing the right conditions—such as moisture, food, and warmth—is susceptible to termite attacks.

The essence of the anti-termite process is a chemical treatment performed for soil, masonry, wood, and electrical components to provide the building with an effective barrier against termites living in the subterranean area before and after construction. In addition, carrying out the entire process yourself is challenging, so it’s best to seek help from Max Care Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

What is Pre-Construction Anti-Termite Treatment?

Pre-construction anti-termite treatment is performed before building construction. The soil foundation, building pillars, and other joints are treated with chemicals to keep termites out of the premises.

The most efficient method to protect against termite infestation in homes or buildings involves applying anti-termite treatment before construction. Chemicals are employed in treating the soil under the foundation. A chemical barrier is constructed between the ground and the building bricks to keep termites away from your structure.

Why is Anti-Termite Treatment Performed?

Pre-construction soil treatment must be applied to the plinth of the substructure during construction.
It covers soil treatment using approved chemicals within water emulsions used in foundation trenches to treat plinth beams, plinth filling, wall-floor joints, expansion joints, and other steps as defined in IS 6313 Part II 2013.

When to Apply the ANTI TERMITE PROCEDURE on SOIL:

• Treatment of the soil for anti-termite is best done when pits and foundation trenches are in good condition.
• After the chemical emulsion has been absorbed into the soil and the soil is dry, the mass concrete can be laid.
• It is recommended to avoid treatment if it is raining or when the soil has become saturated by subsoil or rainwater.
• The same rules apply to the care of the surface filled with earth in the plinth region before installing the subgrade floor.
• The soil barriers treated should remain intact after they have been constructed.
• If treated soil barriers are accidentally damaged, the barrier must be repaired immediately to restore its continuity and completeness.
• No addition or removal of the treated soil is recommended.

Procedure For Pre-Construction Anti Termite Treatment:

• The surface of the earth must be clean and dry. The chemical needs to be injected as per IS 6313 part II rules.

Treatment at Junction of the Wall and the Floor

• Special care should be taken to establish continuity of the vertical soil barrier on inner wall surfaces from ground level up to the level of the filled earth surface. The rod holes made in the channel up to ground level should be 150 mm apart and the iron rod moved backward and forward to break up the earth. Chemical emulsion should be poured along the wall at a rate of 7.5 l/m² of vertical wall or column surface to soak the soil right to the bottom. The depth of each hole will be 300 mm.
• The top surface of the consolidated earth within plinth walls should be treated with chemical emulsion at a rate of 5 l/m² of the surface before the sand bed or sub-grade is laid. If the filled earth has been well rammed and does not allow the emulsion to seep through, holes up to 50 to 75 mm deep at 150 mm centers both ways may be made with a 12 mm diameter mild steel rod to facilitate saturation of the soil with the chemical emulsion. Spraying should also be done with the help of a battery sprayer.

Treatment of Soil Along External Perimeter of Building

• After the building is complete, the earth along the external perimeter of the building should be rodded at intervals of 300 mm and to a depth of 300 mm up to 1 ft from the building wall. The rods should be moved backward and forward parallel to the wall to break up the earth, and chemical emulsion should be poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m² of vertical surfaces. After the treatment, the earth should be tamped back into place. The earth outside the building should be graded upon completion of the building. Spraying should also be done with a battery sprayer.

Treatment to Bottom Surface and Sides of Excavation Trenches

• For RCC foundations or pile caps, treat with chemical emulsion at 5 liters per square meter. This work shall be carried out as per IS 6313 Part II (2015). Excavation of pile caps will be treated with chemical solution of 7.5 l/m² while depth will be 75-150 mm, and the distance between each hole will be 300 mm.

Treatment to Backfilling of the Foundation

• Treat at 7.5 liters per square meter of the vertical surface of the substructure for each side of the foundation. The work shall be carried out as per IS 6313 Part II (2015). Special care should be taken to establish continuity of the vertical soil barrier on inner wall surfaces from ground level up to the level of the filled earth surface. To achieve this, a small channel 30 mm x 30 mm should be made at all the wall and column junctions with the floor (before laying the sub-grade). Rod holes should be made in the channel up to the ground level, 150 mm apart, and the iron rod moved backward and forward to break up the earth. Chemical emulsion should be poured along the wall at a rate of 7.5 l/m² of vertical wall or column surface, to soak the soil right to the bottom. The soil should be tamped back into place after the operation.

Anti-Termite Chemicals

• The chemicals used in termite treatment in structures, as per Indian Standards (IS 6313 Part-II), are:
  - Imidacloprid 30.5% SC
  - Chlorpyriphos 20 EC
• These chemicals are utilized in water emulsions for treating soil to shield a structure from termite attacks.
• However, Neonicotinoid chemicals (Imidacloprid) are preferred over Chlorpyriphos (Organophosphate), which is carcinogenic and has adverse effects on the environment. Chlorpyriphos is already banned in most countries, and in the next few years, India is also expected to follow the same.

Benefits of Anti-Termite Treatment

• It offers immediate protection to any structure against termites and other crawling pests.
• It can last for as long as the chemical remains effective.
• It solves the issue of gaps in the protection barrier allowing termites to enter the house.
• Liquid termiticides are fairly inexpensive compared to other forms of termite management.

Treating termites before construction is an essential preventative plan to stop termite infestation. It includes different strategies for complete prevention. It is less expensive and highly effective.

But Still, If termites infest your home book Max Care Solutions for a complete Termite removal