Taking a proactive stance

Termite infestation is one of the many concerns that real estate developers immediately address even before they become a full-blown problem.

"Before we start a project, we make sure that we have a good termite control program in place," says Civil Engineer Alma Florendo of DMCI Homes, one of the biggest and most reliable real estate companies in the Philippines.

As civil engineer, she has overseen the construction of countless premiere residential developments across the country. These include such high-end subdivisions like Mahogany Place in Taguig and Woodland Hills in Carmona, Cavite.

It is Engineer Florendo’s job to ensure that the houses that they build are structurally sound and meet their quality requirements and are completed in time.

"And one of the things that we try to prevent from causing structural damage is termite infestation," Engineer Florendo emphasizes.

Termites live in a central colony or nest, from which they will forage wood, their staple food. Once they find this food source, termite workers strip and partially digest it before returning to the nest to feed millions of other termites in the colony. Attacking in large numbers, they can feed to the point of leaving only a thin veneer on the wood.

"This can happen in only a matter of months," Engineer Florendo says.

This is where Premise 200 SC termiticide will be of vital help to developers and residential unit owners alike as its unique mode of action combines structural protection and colony management. It is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Pycor, Inc., one of the country’s leading pest control distribution companies.

Premise distinguishes itself from traditional termiticides, which rely on repellent barriers that termites eventually break or avoid completely. Instead, it is non-repellent so that termites will not see, smell or taste it–making it unavoidable.

Premise also contains a new active ingredient called imidacloprid, which is very specific to insects, making it safe both for the applicators and the people living in the house.

Once termites ingest imidacloprid, they bring it to their nest or colony. Other termites will likewise ingest it through what are known as trophallaxis, allogrooming, and cooperative care.

Meanwhile, Engineer Florendo advises homeowners to likewise take proper precautionary measures to avoid termite infestation.

For more information on Premise, call the Premise toll-free customer service hotline 1-800-10-TERMITE (for PLDT subscribers) or (02) 732-0778.