If you see mud lines on a wall, a door frame that sounds hollow, or winged insects around lights after rain, you probably have termites. In an existing house the soil underneath is covered by floors, so treatment has to reach it by drilling and injecting chemical, plus treating the infested woodwork directly.
What is included
| Area | Typical method | Reference detail |
|---|---|---|
| Floor-wall junctions | Drill holes through floor near walls, inject emulsion into soil | IS 6313 Part 2 summary: 12 mm holes at 300 mm spacing, 1 litre per hole |
| Masonry voids at plinth | Drill and inject into wall base | Summary: about 300 mm apart, 1 litre per running metre |
| Door and window frames | Angled holes at frame base, inject, spray infested parts | Summary: holes at 45° at frame base |
| Cabinets and wardrobes | Remove damaged parts, treat and spray | Depends on damage |
| Entry points | Treat around pipes, conduits and cracks | Inspection-led |
| Sealing | Fill drill holes with matching cement or filler | Ask about finish on marble/tiles |
Figures are from the Infralens summary of IS 6313 (Part 2), a reference standard often used in the region. A 1.0% emulsion (1 part concentrate to 19 parts water) is cited for the listed chemicals.
When you need it
- Mud tubes on walls, floors or skirting.
- Hollow, soft or crumbling wood in frames, doors or cabinets.
- Small piles of powder or tiny holes near woodwork.
- Swarms of winged termites, often after rain.
- Before installing new woodwork in a house with past termite problems.
Step-by-step process
- Inspection – the technician traces activity, finds entry points and checks how far it has spread.
- Written proposal – areas, method, chemical, quantity, price, warranty and safety instructions.
- Preparation – empty affected cupboards, move furniture from walls, cover food and keep children and pets away.
- Drilling and injection – along floor-wall joints, masonry and frame bases.
- Woodwork treatment – inject and spray infested wood; damaged pieces may need replacing.
- Sealing – drill holes filled and finished.
- Certificate and follow-up – record of treatment and a check visit if included.
What affects the cost
No fixed public rates exist; ask for written quotes. Price depends on:
- Covered area or running length of walls to treat.
- Whether the whole house or only affected rooms are treated.
- Floor type: drilling and patching marble or tiles takes longer.
- Extent of damage and amount of woodwork.
- Chemical used.
- Warranty length and number of follow-up visits.
Safety
- The Infralens summary stresses ventilation and protective equipment during and after application because termiticides are toxic.
- Ask how long to keep rooms closed, and when you can clean.
- Keep chemical away from water tanks, kitchens and food.
- Treatment works better when soil and structure are relatively dry.
Questions to ask the provider
- Will you treat the whole house or only affected areas, and why?
- What chemical and dilution will you use? Can I see the sealed container?
- How far apart will holes be, and how much emulsion per hole?
- How will you seal holes in marble or tiles?
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
- Will I get a written certificate?
Red flags
- Spraying only the visible mud tubes without treating the soil.
- No drilling for a confirmed ground-level infestation.
- No product name, label or batch number.
- A "lifetime guarantee" with no written terms.
- No advice on safety, re-entry or food.
FAQs
Will spraying the wood alone stop termites? Usually not. Subterranean termites live in the soil and travel up. Treating only the wood kills some but leaves the colony's route open.
Will the drilling damage my floor? Holes are small and filled after treatment, but on marble or patterned tiles the patch may show. Ask how they finish holes.
How soon will termite activity stop? It varies with the chemical and infestation. Ask the company what to expect and when the follow-up visit is.
Does treatment repair damaged woodwork? No. Badly damaged frames or cabinets may need repair or replacement after treatment.
Can termites return? Yes, if the barrier is broken by new plumbing or construction work. Tell the company about later works; it may affect your warranty.