---
title: "Importance of anti-termite treatment"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:antitermite-importance"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/antitermite-importance
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Importance of anti-termite treatment

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 9: Paint and Varnishes

- Asked in: 2080 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2069 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2072 Chaitra, 4 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Anti Termite Treatment in Construction In Hindi as per IS 6313 : 2001](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k95evAFhHBk) — Factual Civil Engineering
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/antitermite-importance
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-9

## Question

Write down the importance (uses/reasons) of anti-termite treatment in the construction of a building.

## Short answer

Anti-termite treatment poisons soil to protect timber from termites, preventing structural damage, high repair costs, and lengthening building life. It is most effective during construction, especially in termite-prone areas like Nepal's Terai.

## Answer

Termites are small wood-eating insects that live in colonies in the soil and enter buildings through cracks, joints and wood. **Anti-termite treatment** poisons the soil and protects the building so the colony cannot reach it.

#### Importance

- **Protects wood and timber:** Termites eat doors, windows, frames, flooring, furniture and roof timber, weakening them.
- **Prevents structural damage:** Damaged roof members, floors and trusses can fail, endangering life and property.
- **Protects other materials:** Termites also damage paper, books, cloth, wiring insulation, cardboard and plastic.
- **Saves repair cost:** Treatment during construction costs little (about 1–2% of the building cost) compared with expensive repair or replacement later.
- **Lengthens building life:** Timber components and finishes last longer.
- **Keeps hygiene and appearance:** Mud tubes and damaged walls spoil the look and finishes.
- **Hard to treat later:** Once termites are inside, treatment is difficult, disruptive and not always fully effective; pre-construction treatment gives a continuous chemical barrier below the building.
- **Relevant in Nepal:** Terai and warm, humid regions have heavy termite activity, so treatment is recommended in foundations.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Anti-termite treatment protects a building by:
   A. Painting walls
   B. Poisoning the soil to form a chemical barrier so the colony cannot reach the building
   C. Removing all wood
   D. Raising the plinth only
   Answer: B. A continuous chemical barrier below the building blocks termites. (Key point: Why treat)

2. Termites can damage:
   A. Only wood
   B. Timber, structural members like roof trusses, and also paper, cloth and wiring insulation
   C. Only steel
   D. Nothing important
   Answer: B. Damage can threaten structure and life, not only furniture. (Key point: Damage)

3. Treatment during construction costs about:
   A. 50% of building cost
   B. 1-2% of building cost, much less than later repair
   C. Nothing
   D. 10%
   Answer: B. Pre-construction treatment is cheap compared with repair. (Key point: Cost)

4. Why is pre-construction treatment preferred?
   A. Later treatment is difficult, disruptive and not always fully effective
   B. It is optional in Terai
   C. Termites avoid new buildings
   D. Later treatment is easier
   Answer: A. Once termites are inside, treatment is hard; Terai regions have heavy activity. (Key point: Timing)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Anti-termite treatment procedure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aantitermite-procedure) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 9, asked 3×
- [Post construction anti-termite treatment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apost-construction-antitermite) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 9
- [Polymers in building construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apolymer-properties-uses-building) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Foundation treatment before gravity dam construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Afoundation-treatment-gravity-dam) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 4