Termite Control for Homes, Commercial Buildings and New Construction

Termite control means stopping termites from reaching the timber in your building, and dealing with them properly if they already have. This page explains how our anti-termite service works for new construction and for occupied homes and commercial buildings. It covers what we look for during an inspection, how pre-construction and post-construction treatments differ, how woodwork is treated, how to stay safe, and why follow-up matters.

How do termites damage a building?

Most termite damage to buildings in India is caused by subterranean termites. They live in colonies in the soil and need moisture, so they rarely move in the open. They enter through cracks in the floor, gaps at the wall–floor junction, expansion joints and openings around pipes and cables. They then build mud tubes up walls to reach food.

Termites feed on cellulose: wood, plywood, particle board, paper, cardboard and some fabrics. They eat timber from the inside and often leave a thin outer shell of wood or paint. A door frame or cupboard can look sound until it gives way under pressure. Built-in wardrobes and kitchen cabinets fixed against damp walls are especially vulnerable, because the damage stays hidden behind them.

Moisture and warmth suit termites. In Goa’s humid coastal climate, and during the monsoon on the Deccan plateau around Hyderabad, winged termites often emerge after rain. That is when many people first notice a problem. Our article on what to expect from seasonal pests explains how the seasons affect pest activity.

Common signs of termites

• Mud tubes or earthy tracks on walls, the plinth, skirting or the inside of cupboards
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or crumbles when pressed
• Blistered or bubbling paint on door frames and skirting
• Doors and windows that suddenly start sticking
• Small heaps of discarded wings near windows or lights after rain
• Damaged books, files or cardboard boxes in storage

Fine powder and small round holes in furniture usually point to wood borer rather than termites. The two problems need different treatments, so correct identification matters. Our guide on how to tell termites from wood borer sets out the differences.

What happens during a termite inspection?

Every termite treatment starts with an inspection. This follows our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach: understand the problem first, then treat where it is needed. A technician walks through the property, inside and out, and checks:

• active and old mud tubes, and where they start
• door and window frames, skirting, wooden flooring, cupboards, panelling and false ceilings
• wall–floor junctions, cracks, expansion joints and points where plumbing and cables enter
• damp areas such as leaking pipes, bathrooms, kitchens, wall seepage and AC drain lines
• outside: soil heaped against walls, garden beds, tree stumps, stacked wood and debris
• stored paper, cardboard and timber in lofts, store rooms and godowns

We also need to know what must not be drilled into or contaminated. This includes underground water sumps, wells, borewells, concealed water or gas lines, and electrical conduits in the floor. If you have building plans, please share them. If not, tell the technician what you know about where these run.

After the inspection, we explain how far the infestation has spread, which treatment suits the building, and which areas will be treated. We also explain what you can do to help, such as fixing leaks or clearing stored items away from walls.

Pre-construction anti-termite treatment for new buildings

For builders and owners putting up a new building, the best time to protect it is before the floor is laid. Pre-construction treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier in the soil beneath and around the structure. This stops termites coming up from the ground. The Indian Standard IS 6313 (Part 2) describes how this soil treatment should be carried out.

The treatment is done in stages that follow the construction schedule. Typically this includes:

1. the bottom and sides of foundation trenches and pits
2. backfill soil around foundations and columns as it is returned
3. the levelled surface of the plinth filling, just before the base concrete or floor is laid
4. the junction of walls and floor, and around pipe and conduit entry points
5. the soil along the external perimeter once construction is complete

Each stage has to be done at the right moment, so we coordinate closely with the site engineer or contractor. Treated soil should not be disturbed afterwards. Treatment should not be done on waterlogged soil or during heavy rain. We ask builders to give us notice before each stage so that the barrier stays continuous.

Post-construction treatment: how does drill–fill–seal work?

In an occupied home, office or hotel, the soil under the floor is already covered. Post-construction treatment, described in IS 6313 (Part 3), reaches that soil by drilling. The usual sequence is:

1. Drill: small holes are drilled at intervals along the inside wall–floor junctions of affected rooms. Other vulnerable points are also drilled, such as corners and areas around pipes.
2. Fill: a termiticide, diluted as directed on its label, is injected through the holes into the soil below the floor to form a barrier.
3. Seal: the holes are closed with cement or a suitable filler so the floor is left safe and tidy.
4. Treat the outside: where there is open soil around the building, the soil along the external walls is treated to complete the barrier.
5. Deal with active spots: mud tubes are removed and active galleries are treated directly.

Drilling makes some noise and dust. Sealed holes may stay faintly visible on tiled or stone floors. If you have expensive flooring, discuss the hole positions with the technician before work starts.

Pre-construction and post-construction treatment compared

How is termite-damaged woodwork treated?

A soil barrier stops new termites coming in, but existing woodwork also needs attention. We treat affected frames, cupboards, panelling and wooden flooring by injecting or applying a wood treatment into the damaged areas. Termites found inside a cupboard usually reached it through the wall or floor behind it. So we also treat the entry point, not just the wood.

Timber that is already badly hollowed out may need repair or replacement by a carpenter. Treatment stops further attack, but it cannot restore the strength of wood that has been eaten away.

How do you stay safe during termite treatment?

Termiticides go mainly into the soil beneath floors and into wood. They are not sprayed across living spaces, but sensible precautions still matter:

• Keep children and pets out of rooms being treated until treated areas are dry, or for as long as the technician advises.
• Keep rooms ventilated during and after treatment.
• Remove or cover food, utensils and drinking water. Cover or move aquariums.
• Tell us where water sumps, wells and concealed pipes are before drilling starts.
• Wash your hands after touching any treated surface.
• If anyone feels unwell after treatment, see a doctor.

In Goa, we are a licensed pest control operator with the Directorate of Agriculture, Goa, and use CIB&RC-registered products. Material Safety Data Sheets are maintained for the products we use. For a room-by-room checklist of what to move and clear before the technicians arrive, read our guide on preparing your home for termite drilling treatment.

What follow-up is needed after anti-termite treatment?

Termite activity does not always stop overnight. Termites already inside woodwork may show up for a while after treatment. Follow-up visits let us re-check the property and treat any remaining activity.

Between visits, let us know if you see any of the following:

• new mud tubes, especially near treated junctions
• fresh damage to frames, cupboards or skirting
• winged termites indoors after rain

You can help the barrier last by fixing leaks and seepage. Keep soil, firewood and garden waste away from external walls, and avoid stacking cardboard against walls. Tell us before any renovation that breaks the floor or digs up perimeter soil, because this can break the treated barrier. Our guide on how long anti-termite treatment lasts explains the factors involved.

In Goa, we share service reports after visits. A warranty applies to the treated area for specific services, as set out in the service agreement. It does not cover structural changes, new construction or cases where post-service instructions were not followed. Full details are in our terms and conditions. Some properties prefer ongoing protection through an Annual Maintenance Contract, which provides scheduled visits and service reports.

Who is termite control for?

• Homeowners and tenants in flats, independent houses and villas, especially where built-in woodwork sits against walls
• Housing societies, where ground-floor flats, common areas and basements are often where termites enter
• Builders and developers who need pre-construction soil treatment coordinated with the site schedule
• Hotels, offices and shops with wooden fittings, panelling and furniture
• Warehouses and stores holding cardboard, paper, pallets or timber

How do you arrange a termite inspection?

Check availability for your branch on this page. Then tell us about the property: its type and approximate size, whether it is under construction or occupied, and the signs you have seen. Photographs of mud tubes or damaged wood help us understand the problem before we visit. You can reach us through our contact page. To see how a visit runs from first call to service report, read how we work.