Preventive and Remedial Measures to House Termite Infestations in Two Ikwerre Communities of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

From forests to human dwellings, infestations of woods by termites are on the increase. Despite the increasing occurrences of termite infestations in human dwellings in the Niger Delta region, there is still insufficient information about the preventive and remedial measures towards house termites by house-owners (HOs) in the region. Through a survey of Omuoko [n = (50%) = 82] and Omuihechi [n = (50%) = 57] communities in the Ikwerre area of Port Harcourt, this study analyzed a 139-house owner samples using standard methods. Data obtained show that 64.7% of HOs use preventive measures which include chemicals (43.2%), chemicals and non-wood materials (20.9%), and non-wood materials (0.6%). A sub-total of 73 HOs representing 52.5% of the total respondents use remedial measures with chemicals (34.2%) being dominant, followed by Chemicals and replacement (27.4%), Replacement (17.8%), Scraping (12.3%), Chemical and scrapping (6.8%), and cement (1.4%). This study indicates that old, wooden, and thatched houses are highly susceptible to termites’ infestations, thus deserving periodic preventive and remedial treatments through expert consultations and/or do-it-yourself methods.