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The Court has ordered a construction company from Santos, on the coast of Sao Paulo, to pay R$10,000 to each of the 15 families of a termite-infested condominium in the Campo Grande neighbourhood.
Photo: Resident Disclosure / Flipar
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The decision, issued by the Eighth Civil Court of Santos, found construction defects and negligence on the part of the company after a termite infestation struck the building. The sentence is still subject to appeal.
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According to residents, the problem lasted about three years, affecting community spaces such as the swimming pool, party room and gym.
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According to the legal action, the construction company left the wood used for the work on the attic of the building, a fact which was discovered only after the delivery of the property.
Photo: Resident Disclosure / Flipar
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The project was completed in 2019, but the first termite outbreaks began to appear two years later. According to the residents’ defense, the condominium informed the construction company several times to remove the abandoned material, but received no response.
Photo: Resident Disclosure / Flipar
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The removal of the wood was carried out only after the legal action had been initiated, on the basis of an expert opinion which demonstrated the direct relationship between the construction waste and the infestation.
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In February 2024 the Court ordered the construction company to remove the material. In the decision, judge Bruno Nascimento Troccoli underlined that the company’s liability is objective, pursuant to the Consumer Code, which eliminates the need to prove guilt.
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The families had requested compensation of R$15,000 each, but the judge reduced the sum to R$10,000 considering it proportional and reasonable, avoiding unjust enrichment.
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During the trial, the construction company acknowledged the infestation had occurred, but argued that the problems did not last for three consecutive years. The company also claimed that the condominium had hired inefficient exterminators and that it only became aware of the seriousness of the case later.
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Finding termites in your home usually causes immediate concern. Small and discreet, these insects can compromise furniture, wooden structures and even the stability of buildings if not treated in time.
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Infestations tend to occur in damp, dark and poorly ventilated places, ideal environments for breeding and feeding colonies.
Photo: Diogo Luiz/Wikimedia Commons/Flipar
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Old houses, buildings with leaks and places where there is untreated wood are the most susceptible. In apartment buildings or buildings the problem can spread quickly, as insects often form hidden nests in ceilings, walls and internal structures.
Photo: Image by Steffen L. from Pixabay / Flipar
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The first step in identifying signs of infestation – such as the presence of small wings on the floor, noises within the wood or the appearance of a fine dust similar to sawdust – is not to try to solve the problem in isolation.
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Common household products and insecticides repel termites only temporarily, but do not eliminate the colony.
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The best solution is to contact a specialized pest control company, which can locate the outbreak, apply the appropriate treatment and, if necessary, create chemical barriers to prevent new cases.
Photo: – Flickr Mourier Nayer / Flipar
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It is also important to investigate the source of the infestation, especially in new or renovated buildings. Wooden materials left over after construction, old furniture brought in from other locations, and even damp construction soil can harbor colonies.
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Preventive maintenance, with periodic inspections and application of termite control products, is the most effective way to avoid leaks.
Photo: image by Ernesto Eslava from Pixabay / Flipar
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Despite their negative reputation, termites perform important ecological functions. In the natural environment they act as great recyclers of organic matter, feeding on dead wood and dry leaves.
Photo: Disclosure / Flip
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This process accelerates decomposition and returns nutrients to the soil, contributing to fertility and the growth of new plants. Furthermore, its underground tunnels aerate the soil, improving water infiltration and encouraging the development of vegetation.
Photo: Parteiro/Wikimedia Commons/Flipar
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In tropical forests and savannahs there are species that build complex underground structures and tunnels, essential for air circulation and the regulation of soil humidity. Ecologists often compare them to “ecosystem engineers,” as their work benefits countless other species.
Photo: Image by Artur Pawlak from Pixabay / Flipar
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In urban areas, however, proximity to human constructions makes this natural activity a problem. The challenge is to reconcile control in case of infestation with recognition of the biological importance of these insects.
Photo: Flickr Bill Laine / Flipar
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Eliminating domestic attention is essential to protecting heritage, but preserving populations living in natural environments continues to be a way to maintain environmental balance.
Photo: reproduction from Facebook INQUIRER.net / Flipar
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Source: Terra

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.