Termite treatment in Peshawar for existing buildings

What are subterranean termites?

Termites (deemak) are social insects that feed on cellulose: wood, paper, cardboard and some fabrics. The species that damage buildings in Peshawar are mostly subterranean termites. Their colonies live in the soil, sometimes metres away from the building, and workers travel through the soil and through mud tubes to reach timber.

Because the colony is hidden, the damage you see is usually only part of the problem. Effective treatment targets the routes from the soil into the building, not just the wood.

How to identify termites

• Pale, soft-bodied insects about the size of an ant, usually found only when wood or a mud tube is broken open.
• Unlike ants, termites have a straight body with no narrow waist, and straight, bead-like antennae.
• Winged termites (swarmers) have two pairs of wings of equal length, which they shed soon after flying. Flying ants have unequal wings.

Not sure? Send a clear photo on WhatsApp. Our pest library also explains how to tell termites from ants.

Life cycle

Common signs of termite infestation

• Mud tubes (thin tunnels of soil) on walls, skirting, door frames, pipes and foundations.
• Door frames, skirting and cupboards that sound hollow or crumble when pressed.
• Bubbling or peeling paint and soil-stained patches near floor level.
• Small piles of soil inside cupboards or at wall–floor joints.
• Shed wings near windows and lights, especially after the first rains.
• Damaged books, papers or cardboard in storerooms.

Risks of an untreated infestation

Termites do not usually threaten health, but they cause real economic and structural damage. In Peshawar homes they most often destroy door and window frames, fitted cupboards, wooden flooring, false ceilings and stored paper. Untreated activity spreads to new rooms and repairs become more expensive over time. In older buildings with structural timber, damage can affect safety and should be assessed by a qualified engineer.

Common causes

• Soil that was never treated at construction stage, or whose treatment has broken down over the years.
• Cracks in floors and plinth, expansion joints and gaps around pipes that give termites a hidden route inside.
• Damp walls and floors from leaking pipes, poor drainage or rising damp.
• Wood in contact with soil, and timber, wood offcuts or construction rubbish left under or around the building.
• Soil, planters or flower beds built up against outer walls above the plinth level.

Our inspection

1. Interview

   We ask where and when you first saw activity, past treatments, leaks and any renovation.

2. Room-by-room survey

   We check wall–floor joints, door and window frames, cupboards, stairs, storerooms, bathrooms, kitchen and outer walls.

3. Moisture and entry points

   We look for damp areas, cracks, pipe entries, expansion joints and soil contact.

4. Findings and plan

   We explain what we found, which areas need treatment, the method and products proposed, and the precautions. You receive a written quotation.

Treatment methods

The treatment plan depends on the building's construction, floor type, soil, the extent of activity and the label of the product used. Typical components are:

• Drill-fill-seal (soil barrier): holes are drilled along the inside of walls at the wall–floor joint and around affected areas, a termiticide is injected into the soil beneath the floor, and the holes are sealed with matching cement or filler.
• Outer perimeter treatment: where accessible, the soil along the outside of the walls is treated to complete the barrier.
• Woodwork treatment: infested frames and cupboards are treated directly by injection or surface application, and badly damaged timber is identified for repair.
• Cracks, joints and service entries: treated and sealed to close hidden routes.
• Corrective advice: fixing leaks, removing wood–soil contact and clearing timber debris, which help the treatment last.

There is no single correct drilling interval, chemical concentration or volume for every building. These are set by the product label, the floor and wall construction and the soil conditions found during inspection, and are written in your treatment record.

Pre-construction or post-construction: what is the difference?

Pre-construction treatment is applied to the soil during building work, before the floor is laid. The soil is open, so an even barrier is easy to create. It is the most economical way to protect a new building. See pre-construction anti-termite.

Post-construction treatment, on this page, is for buildings that are already finished. The soil under the floor can only be reached by drilling and injection, so careful planning around floors, services and finishes is needed.

Prevention after treatment

• Repair plumbing leaks and keep bathrooms and kitchens dry.
• Do not pile soil, flower beds or firewood against outer walls.
• Avoid storing wood, cardboard or old furniture directly on the floor in storerooms.
• Tell us before major renovation, new flooring or new soil fill, as these can break the treated barrier.
• Check frames and skirting each year, especially after the monsoon, and send us a photo of anything unusual.

Safety precautions

• We identify water pipes, electrical conduits and underfloor services before drilling.
• Treatment near wells, water tanks and drinking-water lines is planned with extra care or avoided.
• Products are chosen for the target pest and the place being treated, and must be registered or otherwise legally authorised in Pakistan for that use.
• Every application follows the manufacturer's label: dose, method, site and precautions.
• Our team wears protective equipment suited to the product and the task.
• Food, drinking water, utensils, toys, animal feed and aquariums are removed or covered before treatment.
• Children, pets and other occupants follow the precautions we give for that specific treatment.
• Re-entry time depends on the product, formulation, ventilation and surface. We tell you on the day, rather than using one fixed time for every job.
• You receive written post-treatment instructions.

Standards we work to: the WHO guidance on pesticide use for vector and public health pest control, the FAO/WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, the WHO hazard classification of pesticides, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, together with Pakistan’s pesticide law. See the standards we follow →