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Termites — valvi in Marathi — are one of the most common reasons Pune families call a pest control company, and one of the most expensive problems to leave untreated. They eat wardrobes, door frames and wooden flooring from the inside, so by the time you notice them the damage is often done. This guide explains why termites are so common in Pune flats, how they reach even upper floors, the warning signs to check after the monsoon, and which treatment your home needs.
Why termites are so common in Pune homes
The termites that damage buildings in Pune are mostly subterranean termites. They live in colonies in the soil and travel into buildings to feed on cellulose — the material in wood, plywood, paper and cardboard. They need moisture, so Pune's monsoon, which runs from about June to September, keeps conditions right for them for a large part of the year.
Modern flats give them plenty to eat: built-in wardrobes, modular kitchens, wooden doors and frames, beds and wooden flooring. Because termites stay hidden inside the wood and behind walls, a colony can feed for months before anyone sees a sign.
How termites reach a flat on an upper floor
Many people believe termites cannot reach a seventh-floor flat. In practice, they can travel up a building through:
- Cracks and expansion joints in floors, walls and columns
- Plumbing and drainage shafts, and the gaps around pipes
- Electrical conduits and cable ducts
- Infested furniture, plywood or packing material brought into the flat
Damp areas help them — a leaking bathroom wall, a kitchen sink cabinet or a wall next to a garden. If several flats in your society see termites, the source is usually in the ground floor or common areas.
Warning signs to check after the monsoon
- Mud tubes: thin mud lines on walls, skirting, the back of wardrobes or inside electrical boards.
- Flying termites: swarms near lights after the first rains, or wings on window sills.
- Hollow wood: door frames and skirting that sound hollow or feel soft when pressed.
- Bubbling paint and sagging floors: blisters on walls near wood, or laminate that lifts or sags.
- Doors that stick: frames that suddenly become tight as damaged wood swells.
For a fuller checklist, see our guide to the signs of termites in your home.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spraying kerosene or household insecticide. It kills the termites you can see, but the colony in the soil keeps sending more.
- Only replacing the damaged wood. New wood is simply the next meal unless the entry route is treated.
- Waiting for the rains to end. Termites feed all year; every month of delay adds to the repair bill.
Which termite treatment does your home need?
| Your situation | Recommended treatment |
|---|---|
| Existing flat, row house or bungalow with termites | Post-construction treatment: a chemical barrier injected into the soil through small holes along floor and wall joints, plus treatment of the infested woodwork |
| New building at the foundation stage | Pre-construction soil treatment at the foundation, plinth and floor stages |
| New building, and you want to recharge the barrier later without drilling | An anti-termite piping system laid before the floor is cast |
| Termites only in a wardrobe or door | Wood treatment, plus treatment of the wall and floor joints behind it |
We explain each method in detail on our termite treatment in Pune page, and in our guides to pre- vs post-construction treatment and the anti-termite piping system.
Termites in housing societies
In a society, termites rarely stay in one flat. If you see them, tell your society office and ask your neighbours to check their woodwork. Treating the affected flats together with the ground floor and common areas — stilt parking, lift lobbies and garden edges — gives a much longer-lasting result than treating one flat at a time.
How much does termite treatment cost in Pune?
Post-construction termite treatment is charged per sq ft of the treated area, with a lower rate for larger areas and a minimum charge for small sites, plus GST. Pre-construction treatment is priced after a site visit. You can see our Pune rates on our Pune price list; the final price is confirmed at a free inspection, before any work starts.
Book a termite inspection in Pune
Indian Pest Management's Pune branch is at Vande Colony, Lane No. 2, Thergaon, near Dange Chowk, Pimpri-Chinchwad. We serve homes and societies across Pune and PCMC, and use a Termatrac iTraker to find live termites inside walls without breaking anything. Call or WhatsApp +91 94111 22334, or see our termite control in Pune services and the Pune branch page.