CHAPTER-6

TERMITE PROOFING

• Q1: Define Termites.
  Ans:Termites are social insects that primarily feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials. They are known for causing significant damage to structures and are often called 'white ants'.
• Q2: What are different types of Termites?
  Ans:Termites are of the following types:

  • ➔ Dampwood Termites
  • ➔ Drywood Termites
  • ➔ Subterranean Termites
• Q3: Name the food of Termites.
  Ans:Termites feed on:

  • ➔ Wood sap
  • ➔ Cellulose
  • ➔ Paper
  • ➔ Rotten wood
  • ➔ Note: Teak wood (Burma) is not attacked.
• Q4: Define Termite Proofing.
  Ans:The process of treating chemically or physically to save the structure & wood from the attack of termites and pests is termite proofing.
• Q5: How do termites enter a building?
  Ans:Termites may enter a building through:

  • ➔ Cracks
  • ➔ Voids
  • ➔ Overlaps
  • ➔ Cavities
  • ➔ Sill plates
  • ➔ Studs
• Q6: What is the purpose of termite proofing?
  Ans:The purpose of Termite Proofing is:

  • ➔ To prevent the possible attack of subterranean termites from the ground to the building and its contents.
  • ➔ To eliminate the effect of dry-wood termite and subterranean termites on wood work.
• Q7: Name some medicines used for termite proofing.
  Ans:Some of the medicines are:

  • ➔ Chlorpyrifos
  • ➔ Imidacloprid
  • ➔ Bifenthrin
  • ➔ Fipronil
  • ➔ Permethrin
  • ➔ Termidor (Fipronil-based branded chemical)
• Q8: Define Subterranean Termites.
  Ans:The termites are commonly called subterranean termites because they live underground.
• Q9: Name 6 Pesticides.
  Ans:Some of the pesticides are:

  • ➔ DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
  • ➔ Malathion
  • ➔ Glyphosate
  • ➔ Chlorpyrifos
  • ➔ Carbaryl
  • ➔ Paraquat
• Q10: How do you detect termite in a building?
  Ans:Termites can be detected by the presence of the following:

  • ➔ Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
  • ➔ Temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or around soil.
  • ➔ Cracked or bubbling paint or presence of Frass (termite droppings).
  • ➔ Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or crawl spaces.
  • ➔ Discarded wings from swarmers.
• Q11: Write the classification of Anti-termite Treatment.
  Ans:The classification is as follows:

  • ➔ Pre-constructional treatment
  • ➔ Constructional treatment
  • ➔ Post-constructional treatment
• Q12: Define Post-constructional Treatments.
  Ans:The anti-termite treatment measures adopted in existing buildings are known as Post-constructional treatments. It consists of treating the wood work and wooden based materials of an existing building with a suitable chemical solution.
• Q13: Define Pre-constructional Treatments.
  Ans:The anti-termite treatment measures adopted at the time of construction of a building are known as Pre-Constructional treatments. It consists of treating the soil adjacent to and under a building at the time of construction.
• Q14: Name the methods of termite proofing.
  Ans:Termite proofing can be done by the following methods:

  • ➔ Soil treatment
  • ➔ External and internal termite protections
• Q15: How termite proofing is done in the RCC foundation?
  Ans:In case of R.C.C framed structures with column and plinth beams and basements:

  • ➔ The concrete mix is rich and dense, so treatment is not started from the bottom of column excavations.
  • ➔ Treatment starts from a depth of 500mm below ground level.
  • ➔ Backfill around columns, beams, and R.C.C basement walls is treated at a rate of 15 liters/m² of vertical surface.