Saudi-based Masa Establishment for Pest Extermination Services, one of the pioneering pest control operators, has seen a significant surge in demand for pest extermination services, particularly in Makkah and Madinah.

'There has been a rise in construction activity in Makkah and Madinah and a corresponding increase in awareness among individuals about the damage that termites can cause to their properties,' says a spokesman for the company.

One important factor for the increase in demand is that the Government of Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for contractors and consultants to ensure soil treatment against termites, he says.
He continues: 'This surge in demand is confirmed by the record of termiticides consumed by Masa since 2002. Last year, the company consumed 135 tonnes of termiticides, the highest annual consumption to date. This year, figures show a 23.42 per cent increase in consumption till the end of  the third quarter, totalling almost 125 tonnes.

'This remarkable uptrend in termite prevention and control works has also been due to the growth of the construction sector in the two holy cities.'
Masa Establishment has been specialising in termite-proofing prevention and control services and offering professional urban insect pests control solutions for almost 23 years.
'Masa has made a major contribution to the protection of health, food, property and the environment in the Kingdom, which is proven by our years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients served by our 11 branches Kingdomwide,'  he says.

Subterranean termites cause extensive damage to individual properties and building structures as they devour cellulose-rich materials such as wood and paper. Termite attacks on houses and offices incur additional cost in terms of repairs and termite treatment and are known to cause a significant depreciation in the value of the property.

'On establishing a colony, termites spread out and enter buildings from any direction from the ground level. They forage around mulch beds, near air-conditioner driplines and below gutters and buried wood construction materials and also tunnel through the soil in search of moisture and food,' he says.
Wherever wood is in direct contact with soil, termites easily attack it and forage further by building mud tubes through cracks and crevices in walls and support systems. They gain entry into hidden areas of basements, crawlspaces, and concrete slabs. 'As a preventive measure, the soil must be totally treated with termiticide to obtain a complete soil barrier against subterranean termites,' he adds.

Termite prevention and control can be done more effectively by experienced individuals. Chemical treatment of the soil around and under the foundation is an important method of preventing termite attack and helps in isolating the building from termite damage. The treatment is most effective when applied inside and outside the structure before or during the laying of the foundation and before pouring the cement for the ground slab cement. Backfill soil must be properly levelled and compacted, if possible, and should be free from wood debris. The chemical must be applied thoroughly and uniformly to block all routes of termite entry, he says.

Masa has several on-going projects with contractors and consultants. Aside from the pest control contracts of individuals, a subcontract with contracting companies and establishments has been a major source for projects. Masa's clientele in Madinah include: Abdullah M Al Khodari, Arab World Investment Group, Lada Group, Al Saheb Establishment, Al Mansouriya Establishment, Fared Abdul Shahab, Ahmad Al Kadi Establishment, Saudi Oger Company, Saad Contracting and Trading, Abdul Gani Hussain Group, Sanam Establishment, Sharief Trading and Contracting, Al Ansar and Zain, Mahmood Saeed Company, Al Arab Contracting Establishment, Saudi Sirat Company, AEP and Al Sanman Joint Company, Saudi Snacks Food Company, Quba Mart, Abdullah Hakeem, Ibrahim Mansour Barri and Abdul Hamid Noorwali.
Its list of Makkah clients includes: Al Zalafawi Establishment, Sapac building, Al Qathani Company, Dar Al Arkam Company, Al Belini Company and Alwani Tunisi Establishment.