Riyadh-based Masa Establishment for Pest Extermination Services, which has been in the business of protecting buildings from pest infestation, says that proper inspection is a sure and effective method for controlling subterranean termites.

According to operations manager Valentin Diego, to perform a proper inspection, the inspector must have a general understanding of termite biology, and be able to recognise signs of infestation.  There is no substitute for hard work and experience when performing termite inspection, he says. “It is just as important to understand how buildings are constructed; otherwise, it is possible to miss out critical areas where termites may be active and are entering the structure,” says Diego.
The type of construction or the manner in which a building is built is an important factor when implementing a termite control programme. This will reveal the theoretical entry points of the termites into the building in relation to the termite’s biology and behaviour.
Subterranean termites, which are the most widespread and destructive group of termites, are so-named, as their activity is usually limited to the soil. They excavate passageways through the soil to reach the ground and food rich in cellulose, either by moving through connecting wood or through earthen tunnels (shelter tubes), which are built over concrete, masonry, and other impervious materials, including wooden floors and the upper part of the structures such as ceilings. These termites usually access above-ground wood in the building through protected cracks and cavities.
Usually, people mistake termite attacks to be carried out by a single colony, but in most cases this is not true. Termites can forage even in the more secure places including ceilings and partitions and even double panelling, where they are hard to detect, and by the time of they are spotted, damage would already have been done.
As the easiest route of access is the ground floor, it is quite likely that floors with wooden tiles are the ones to be attacked first, says Diego.
Like other termites, subterranean termites consume a lot of wood, leaving behind a thin veneer of sound wood on the surface. Cracks and uneven surfaces or deformation of the wood may result due to such infestation and also indicate their presence.
Masa focuses on establishing complete and continuous chemical barriers wrapped around the walls and footings of the building foundation, separating the nest from the structure.
“Our termite applicators are well equipped to do so, as they are knowledgeable of the different types of construction and can determine the entry points and block them. A sound knowledge of the types of construction used in the region, ensures better results in termite control jobs,” says Diego.
He adds: “Termite control not only involves chemical application, but also mechanical alteration, environmental modification or moisture control that are important in the control and prevention of termite infestations.
“Termites have an impact  on the economy as they consume finished lumber for food. They attack buildings, furniture, utility poles, posts, pilings and other wooden objects. Termites also destroy products such as paper, books, clothing, shoes and leather materials, and are often injurious to living trees and shrubs.”
“Current estimates put the annual cost of termite treatment at more than $18 billion worldwide. Further estimates suggest that 75 per cent of general liability insurance claims in pest control stem from wood-destroying insects infestations. And a great majority of these insurance claims are termite related, he says.
Termite control is a specialised job to be performed by professionals. At Masa, special termite control training is imparted to the employees. 
Masa Establishment For Pest Extermination Services has been in the termite control business for over 24 years and has been making continuous efforts to increase awareness of the need for pest control. “Thousands of our clients and several big projects stand testimony to our professionalism and expertise in this field,” Diego concludes.