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

# Anti-termite treatment procedure

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 9: Paint and Varnishes

- Asked in: 2081 Baisakh, 2 marks; 2075 Asoj, 2 marks; 2081 Kartik (new course), 2 marks (asked 3 times)
- Video: [Anti Termite Treatment Process During Basement Stage | Step By Step Explanation | HireandBuild|Tamil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPcGlRbigkE) — Hireandbuild
- 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-procedure
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-9

## Question

Describe the anti-termite treatment procedure (before/during construction, in foundation) to control termites in a building.

## Short answer

The procedure creates a chemical soil barrier: treat trench bottom and sides at 5 L/m², backfill at 7.5 L/m², plinth top at 5 L/m², and wall-floor junction at 7.5 L per metre. Treated soil must not be disturbed.

## Answer

Anti-termite treatment (IS 6313, Part 2) creates a **chemical barrier** of poisoned soil between the ground and the building. Common chemicals are chlorpyrifos 20% EC, imidacloprid and similar emulsions diluted in water.

#### Pre-construction treatment

1. **Excavation of foundation:** After excavation, treat the bottom and the sides (up to about 300 mm height) of the trench at 5 litres of emulsion per $m^2$ of surface.
2. **Backfilling:** Treat the backfill earth in contact with the foundation at 7.5 litres per $m^2$ of the vertical surface of the substructure on each side, in stages as the earth is returned in layers.
3. **Plinth filling:** Treat the top surface of the filled earth before the soil-bearing floor is laid, at 5 litres per $m^2$.
4. **Junctions:** Treat the junction of wall and floor with 7.5 litres per running metre; make holes in the soil along the wall with a rod and pour the emulsion into them.
5. **Surroundings:** Treat the soil along the external wall perimeter, usually up to 300 mm wide and 300 mm deep, at 2.25 litres per running metre.

#### During construction

- Use treated timber for frames, remove stumps and roots from the site, and avoid wood scraps in the filling.
- Do not disturb the treated soil; if it is disturbed, re-treat it.
- Provide a damp-proof course and keep wood out of direct contact with the ground.

#### Post-construction

Drill holes in floors and walls along the plinth and inject the emulsion into them; treat the outside soil through trenches.

## Check yourself

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

1. Anti-termite treatment creates:
   A. A chemical barrier of poisoned soil between ground and building
   B. A wooden barrier
   C. A steel plate
   D. An air gap
   Answer: A. Chemicals like chlorpyrifos 20% EC are applied to soil as emulsion. (Key point: Principle)

2. On the excavated foundation trench, the emulsion is applied at:
   A. 5 L/m2 on bottom and 7.5 L/m2 on sides
   B. 1 L/m2 everywhere
   C. 15 L/m2 on bottom
   D. None
   Answer: A. Bottom 5 L/m2, vertical sides 7.5 L/m2. (Key point: Trench dosage)

3. Post-construction treatment is done by:
   A. Drilling holes along plinth in floors and walls and injecting emulsion, and treating outside soil in trenches
   B. Painting walls
   C. Nothing
   D. Removing the roof
   Answer: A. Holes allow emulsion injection. (Key point: Post-construction)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Importance of anti-termite treatment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aantitermite-importance) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 9, asked 4×
- [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

## 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
- [Foundation settlement causes and treatment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Afoundation-settlement-treatment) — Building Technology, chapter 2
- [Double surface treatment materials and procedure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftransportation_engineering_ii%3Adouble-surface-treatment-material-procedure) — Transportation Engineering II, chapter 3
- [Need for insurance during construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ainsurance-during-construction) — Construction Management, chapter 11