Wood & Wood Products

Preserving wood with termite control

A Masa truck at the project site for post-construction termite treatment

Import of wood and wood products in Saudi Arabia, estimated at some $1.2 billion worth each year, has been on the rise in the recent years and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

The construction sector in the region is largely driving the demand for wood and wood products while furniture market grabs a sizeable share too. Hardwood is the most commonly used wood for built-up wooden furniture such as wardrobes and kitchen cabinets while softwood products are utilised in the construction sector for concrete forming, framework and other applications such as pallets, crates, and boxes. Whatever be the wood type and sector, pest control for all these valuable assets is on the rise.

Talking about the wood pests, one always thinks of termites and the necessity of pest control to save the wood products especially in the urban community environments. Termites are regarded as one of the most common wood pests causing billions of dollars in damage each year throughout the world (UK College of Food and Environment). This pest is often feared because of the overwhelming effects on the expensive wood work in homes and structures.

Sometimes they are referred to as “white ants” because of their resemblance to ants, and winged ants are often mistaken for winged termites. Termites can be distinguished based on their straight antennae, uniform waist and wings of equal size whereas ants have elbowed antennae, restrained waists and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.

Generally, the termites are categorised into three major groups based on their habitat: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Termite swarmers are attracted towards light and are often seen around windows and doors. If one observes the winged termites emerging from the base of a foundation wall or adjoining doorways or enclosures, then most probably the house is infested and the wood can be damaged so treatment shall be compulsory.

Al Shieshakly ensures Masa provides incredible customer service

Al Shieshakly ensures Masa provides incredible customer service

Other symbols of termite infestation are mud tubes (soil) extending over foundation walls, support berths, and floor beams. The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil, but sometimes can be thicker. As termites travel between their underground colonies and structures, they construct these tubing for their protection. For the inspection and estimation purposes, the tubes are broken open and checked for the presence of small, and creamy-white worker termites.

The pioneer Saudi pest control company; Masa Establishment (for Pest Extermination, Maintenance and Contracting) believes in acquiring specialised and professional skills to get rid of any type of property from termites. An extensive knowledge of building construction is necessary to recognise the critical areas where termites are expected to enter. The common problem during the inspection of residential units is that many of these potential entry points are either hidden or difficult to access.

Usually, there are two major categories of termite treatment pesticides: liquids and baits. The liquid pesticides categorised as termiticides (termite killer) applied to soil have been around for decades. Their purpose is to deliver an enduring and long lasting chemical barrier that excludes subterranean termites in the ground from entering buildings. Although buildings may become infested with termites at any time but it is of certain importance when buying or selling a residential household, a termite inspection or infestation report should be a condition of sale.

Typically, a termite treatment may involve hundreds gallons of a liquid termiticide, sprayed or injected into the ground alongside the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls used to exterminate termites.

Keeping in view the economic importance of wood and the wood made products, termite management has advanced to become a highly professional sphere of influence, where outdated methods are repeatedly being swapped by newer formulae and application approaches.

Masa Establishment routinely uses the pesticide registered with Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) under the product name Raslan Plus 30.5 per cent SC, with the active ingredient Imidacloprid, belonging to the chemical class chloronicotinyl. This active ingredient acts by interfering with the impulse transmission in the nervous system and results in the eventual death of the pests. It is a systemic and contact insecticide used for the control of subterranean termites in the constructions of buildings for both pre and post construction treatments. Since it is a water-based formulation, it is friendly to the applicator, end-user and the environment.

Raslan Plus is not a repellent type of termiticide and kills termites mainly by contact mode of action. Due to its non-repellent characteristic it not only generates an unnoticeable zone of treatment that functions as a barricade but also as an “assassination field” by transmitting the termiticide to other termites and eventually leads to contamination of the whole colony. The studies show that the termites that get contaminated don’t die immediately but slow effect starts and the affected ones will not be able to eat and work properly in colony. Death comes slowly and surely for contaminated termites, but before they die they come into the contact of other termites and transfer the toxicant to them due to social inter action. This process continues throughout the colony as a result entire termite colony gets destroyed.

Masa Establishment working under the leadership of Mousaied S Al Shieshakly, is the sole distributor for this pesticide in the kingdom which is consumed as termiticide and preferred by the leading construction companies in the region. The company is engaged in contributing towards complete anti-termite soil treatments by leveraging on the capability and skills of its termite control professionals. The pre and post construction services are rendered by expert technicians to stop termite infestation from soil and prevent damaging the client’s precious wood and wood made products. By using optimum quality of termiticide, Masa guarantees the treatment following the label directions of the manufacturer.

Wood treatment for termites is a job for professionals, says the company. Attempting to control an existing or expected termite problem on one’s own is not recommended. A professional contractor, giving a considerable guarantee for the service should be contacted for the eradication.