Dealing with termites near your home

Jun 02, 2017

Termites have the potential of destroying the foundation of the house.

(Credit: Umar Nsubuga)

Termites may appear harmless insects to human beings, but if ignored, they can destroy your property, mainly the house.

About 10 per cent of the estimated 4,000 species of termites are considered pests and can cause serious structural damages to buildings, crops or forests, among others.

Ivan Kabanda, a fumigator in Kawempe, says people who have gardens near their homes must know that the beauty of a well maintained garden is always a spectacle to behold without the presence of anthills that usually spring up.

According to Kabanda, termites can move a great distance in search of food. The severe damage that termites cause to building structures, most especially wood, can put a great strain on one's pockets when it comes to meeting the costs of repairs.

David Kireli, a civil engineer, says when termites infest your home, they have the potential of destroying the foundation of the house, sometimes unknown to you since they wreck their havoc underground.

He says because of their destructive nature, it is important to guard the home from them.  Inspecting the home frequently is the best defence against termites because it helps one find the best way to stop them from penetrating the home.

According to Kireli, most home builders do not follow precautions, but there is hope for them. In the event that you are invaded by termites, the first step is to physically locate and destroy all termite mounds and entry holes inside and outside the house.

Take care when building

Kireli says if gutters are lacking in areas where the soil is loose, settlement or uneven movement of the foundation occurs, which results into cracks that make it easier for termites to gain access.

Putting in place physical barriers is another effective way of preventing termites from making their way to the foundation or other parts of your house.

"The physical barriers serve the purpose of preventing contact between the house and soil or other areas where termites could possibly dwell," he explains.

Construction engineer Peter Wasswa says when building the foundation, the spaces inbetween the hardcore stones must be filled with aggregates to seal the smaller holes before casting is done. A polythene sheet also needs to be laid in order to prevent dampness in the house and keep termites from making their way into the house.

He says the floor level should be raised about six inches above the ground in order to prevent termites from getting through some weak areas that may develop over the years in the walls.

According to Wasswa, when walls get in contact with the soil, it increases the risk of termites penetrating into the house. Other physical barriers that can be installed are mesh steels that are perfect for homes built on concrete slab. People should also avoid cutting through the concrete to fix door frames. Instead, anchors should be used to hold doors firmly.

Experts say building homes with materials like special lumbers that are treated with chemicals that are resistant to termites is a good remedy. Though expensive, steel studs can be used for framing.

The right chemicals

Rita Namutebi, who deals in insecticides in Bwaise, says chemicals that come in different forms like dusts, foams, or liquids can be effective in keeping away termites. There are chemical barriers that can be sprayed onto the foundation slab or other structures that may be susceptible to infestation.

She says spraying the surface of the core-blinding with chemicals is an effective way of preventing termites from penetrating through the foundation.

Chemical barriers do not protect the home for eternity. On average, they may protect your home for about five to 10 years depending on the type of chemical. Some chemicals are effective in eradicating termites when sprayed on areas of infestation.

 

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