Our latest blog takes a look at the steps you can take to get rid of termites in your office environment, and the warning signs of a termite infestation.
At Rentokil, we’ve seen a huge increase in termite work over the last 4 years and – according to various global research sources – termite activity is expected to increase by a further 5.64% (CAGR) by 2026.
In 2019 the South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) confirmed a noticeable growth in the Harvester Termite population of the Western Cape, citing that almost 100% of all damage done to wood structures is caused by harvester termites, and that the problem had begun as far back as 2015.
Silently destroying your property
What’s really concerning is that termites can go undetected for a number of years and by the time they are discovered, the damage has already been done. This is because actually spotting the signs of a termite infestation – unless you are a trained pest control technician – can be extremely difficult.
Usually, by the time you notice the problem, it’s the aftermath of their destructive habits that you’re noticing.
You may also think that because your office building is made of brick, you don’t need to worry about termites. Sadly, this is where you’d be mistaken. Although termites do not eat brick, there are many (wooden) structural materials that termites do feast on, such as doors, roof frames and trusses, floor boards and joists that are all susceptible to termite damage. They’ve even been seen in the plaster of walls (below)
Read more about this in our myth busting blog post ” Am I safe in a brick house?”
How to get rid of termites in your office:
As we said earlier, once termites have gained access to your office, you may not notice them until the damage has been done. The images below were taken by a client who returned to the office after the first 5 weeks of hard lockdown in 2020, to find that termites had destroyed the cardboard packaging they used for their large appliances.
The extent of this damage would indicate a significant termite infestation was already present in the building but had gone undetected while the occupants were still in the office daily.
To get rid of an infestation of this level, a full survey by a qualified expert needs to be carried out, so that the most appropriate treatment can be recommended.
In this case, it may be that a post-construction termite treatment is required, involving holes being drilled into the structure at regular intervals around the perimeter and flooded with termiticide in order to eradicate the termites as quickly as possible and prevent further damage to your building.
Termite infestation treatments
Rentokil’s range of environmentally friendly solutions include a pre-construction treatment (which is applied during the construction phase of a building and creates a barrier which prevents termites from invading your premises) as well as post-construction treatments like the one described above.
Rentokil also offers an exterior termite baiting solution: an environmentally friendly solution whereby termite traps are placed strategically around the perimeter of your building and charged with a pesticide and a termite lure. Termites are attracted to the baiting trap and are intercepted before they can reach your building. Long lasting attractants and baits are used which are transported back to the colony, killing off the king and queen and the rest of the colony.
This treatment is self-contained and this ensures that no chemicals reach and contaminate our groundwater. It is, therefore, a completely safe option to use close to dams and other bodies of water, or at schools where children may be at risk when spraying techniques are used.
Ask the experts in pest control
Rentokil’s experts can customise the most effective options for stopping termites in their tracks. Download our Termite Guide for your Business for more information on Termites, and what Rentokil can do to prevent them from eating away at your office building.
If you are dealing with a current termite infestation, contact our team of pest control experts for a survey of your premises
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