Assessing Termite Actions on Inherited Facilities at Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State

This study identified the inherited facilities at Federal Polytechnic Ede; examined the actions of termites; identified and examined the factors facilitating the actions of termites; and evaluated the actions of termites on wood and paper related components in the inherited facilities. These were with a view to providing information that would prevent or inhibit termites’ actions on future facilities of the Federal Polytechnic. The study made use of primary and secondary data obtained from physical observation of 23 inherited facilities as well as questionnaire surveys and interviews. To obtain accurate termite actions on the inherited facilities, out of the 23 inherited facilities, the survey focused on 19 with heavily feasible and noticeable termite’s actions, hence purposive enumeration sampling technique. Physical survey of polytechnic facilities and interviews provided data for identification of inherited facilities. Three questionnaires for each sampled facility were administered to elicit termites’ information (total 57) out of which 50 were returned. Information obtained from the respondents included identification of various termite’s actions and factors facilitating their actions. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools namely, frequencies, means, and percentages. The results showed 23 facilities were inherited with destruction to the roof trusses as the highest termite’s actions out of the 14 identified. Age of facility and user-type are essential determinants of termite’s actions. Moisture-laden environment (MS 40), leftover food (MS 3.9), and poor workmanship (MS 3.86) are the highest factors facilitating termites’ actions on inherited facilities. The study concludes that termites are causing extensive damages to the inherited facilities of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. This implied that public facilities must be easily accessed for regular cleaning operation to eliminate accumulation of dirt and other termite foods which encourage their presence.