Brittle boards and broken trust

Homeowners in Twickenham Glades, St Catherine, are outraged as severe termite infestation persists in their newly built National Housing Trust (NHT) houses, prompting the state entity to spend millions of dollars on retreatment for the four-year-old development.

But even as the NHT said it expended $6.4 million to re-treat all 110 two-bedroom units, residents said they are not confident in the latest course of action, which occurred between June and July this year after they reported the issues with the units from as far back as February.

They are insisting, after procuring the services of an independent pest control company to conduct an assessment, that subterranean termites have infested the $1.4 billion gated-community in which units sold for $13.7 to $14 million and were handed over in December 2021.

Initial treatment of the housing development was done by the St James-based Optimum Pest Management Services and a five-year warranty certificate for subterranean termites treatment was issued to homeowners when properties were handed over.

However, it is not immediately clear which company was contracted by the NHT to conduct the latest round of treatment because homeowners have insisted that workers from Optimum showed up to re-treat the development, but a report seen by The Sunday Gleaner said it was St James Exterminators.

The latter is not listed among licensed pesticide management operators on the Pesticides Control Authority’s (PCA) website, which was last updated on April 4, 2025. The former is.

Homeowners whose properties were treated said they were subsequently given a document, seen by The Sunday Gleaner, which indicated that there are no subterranean termites present. They’ve rejected the conclusion.

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in colonies, primarily in the soil, and are known for causing significant damage to wooden structures.

They require moisture and typically build mud tubes to travel between their soil nests and potential food sources like wood.

Door jambs and closets

Several kitchen and bathroom cupboards seen by The Sunday Gleaner in early July were ravaged by the insects, reducing them to brittle husks. Door jambs and closets have been left splintered in some instances, while backyard trees have been decimated and dog houses left in tattered ruins as the relentless pests carve a destructive path in the community.

A video seen by The Sunday Gleaner, in which one homeowner undertook corrective measures independent of the NHT, showed dozens of live termites gnawing through a door jamb that was being removed.

“What I saw started happening were some little black traces that seemed like termites and they were eating out the top part of the formica then we noticed it falling. Afterwards the boards became brittle,” said one homeowner, who asked not to be identified.

My hand just went through

“I remember I was cleaning out the cupboard bottom one of the time and my hand just went through and then the front part of the cupboard just fell off. The sink now just started opening up before it fell down,” she said.

She said the issue began immediately after moving in three years ago, arguing that it is unacceptable.

According to the assessment report prepared by MB Building and External Works, who homeowners contacted, termite activity was detected in the kitchen cupboards at all eight units located at Twickenam Close in the community. It said doors and door jambs were also affected within these units.

At Glades Close, the report said all units from 9 to 24 showed activities of termite infestation on the outside and that 10 of those units had signs and evidence of termite damage, including live termites in kitchen cupboards.

All units had termite activity on the outside, doors and jambs at Prairie Close, while five units had evidence of termite damage including live termites in kitchen cupboards.

At Meadows Close, the reports said all units had activity on the outside, doors and jambs and six had signs and evidence of termites in the kitchen and bathroom cupboards.

There were signs and evidence of termite damage including live termites in kitchen cupboards in nine of the units at Vale Close, while all units there had activity on the outside, doors and jambs.

The report said all units at another section of the community had activity on the outside, doors and jambs and nine had signs and evidence of termite damage, including live termites, in kitchen cupboards.

The company was also not listed among licensed operators on the PCA’s website. The company assessed the community in February 24, 2025.

Still, the homeowners said they are confident in the findings of the assessment, even as they criticised NHT’s contractor.

“Him spray. Him not digging nuh trench, him not boring no hole. You have to ask him to bore and he’s supposed to be an experienced termite controller,” said another homeowner, who also did not want to be identified.

Treatment “was not

done properly”

She was backed up by a neighbour, who believes the treatment “was not done properly”.

The two, who were among residents who spoke to The Sunday Gleaner, said homeowners were told that they would have to give written permission for tiles to be drilled for treatment.

They said this was to excuse the company and NHT from any liability in the event of damage.

“To show you that it was terrible, there’s an overwhelming amount of persons in the community who said, ‘Yes,’ they give permission for them to drill it. That is to show you how severe it is. If everybody decides say if you crack a tile, a no nothing, that fi show you how it stay bad over here,” the homeowner said.

Experts at Astute Pest Management, an independent licensed pesticide treatment operator contacted by The Sunday Gleaner, have noted that prior to construction, and especially on lands previously used for agricultural purposes such as cane fields, it is critical that pre-construction soil treatment is conducted using termiticides.

“This process creates a chemical barrier beneath the foundation to protect the structure from subterranean termites. If this step is skipped or not thoroughly done, termite infestations can occur shortly after occupancy,” the company said in a written response to questions.

It said selecting the right type of wood for construction is crucial.

Builders are encouraged to use treated lumber (e.g., pressure-treated wood or naturally termite-resistant woods like cedar or teak) in construction, especially in framing, roof structures, and any area that comes into contact with the ground, The Sunday Gleaner was told.

Additionally, the use of physical termite barriers and proper ventilation can significantly reduce the risk, the company said.

“Under normal conditions, newly constructed properties like those completed in 2021 should not be experiencing significant termite infestation within three years if proper pre-treatment and construction practices were followed. Early infestation is typically a red flag indicating that either soil treatment was inadequate or the construction materials and practices did not prioritise termite prevention,” The Sunday Gleaner was told.

The Sunday Gleaner contacted the NHT, which falls under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, for which Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has ministerial oversight. It said it was advised by some homeowners of the presence of termites.

The NHT said while only some indicated termite presence, it engaged a termite treatment and pest control contractor to undertake re-treatment of all the units and the communal spaces in Twickenham Glades.

Each beneficiary has been provided with a three-year warranty for their unit, the state agency said, noting that as part of the arrangement, inspections will be done quarterly by the contractor over the three-year period.

The NHT said it adhered to best practice for construction, treating the property in various stages. It said this involved an initial treatment of the soil preconstruction following excavation. A second treatment was done prior to completing the building, and third treatment once all construction was completed, it said.

“Of note, while the NHT employs these best practices before, during and after the construction process, the treatment may be compromised as a result of other activities by new homeowners during occupancy to include importation of top soil for lawns and gardening, introduction of compromised furniture and the use of untreated lumber during the installation of shelves among other activities,” the NHT told The Sunday Gleaner.

The company said all lumber used during the construction process were treated as per best practices and specifications provided to suppliers.

The NHT said approximately $6.4 million has been spent on termite re-treatment and $9 million to repair leaking/faulty roofs previously identified.

Asked whether the issues homeowners are reportedly facing are standard for four-year-old properties, NHT said, ‘No’.

“The issues reported are being assessed to ensure a full understanding. While occasional challenges can arise in construction projects and during occupancy, we are committed to addressing these concerns thoroughly and implementing the necessary measures to maintain the quality and safety of the properties. Our priority remains delivering reliable and well-constructed communities for our contributors,” the NHT said.

At the same time, it said discussions are ongoing with the St Catherine Municipal Corporation to assume control of the community.

Asked if the NHT intends to resolve the mentioned issues before turning over the development to the corporation amid concerns among residents, the company did not give a definitive response.

“The issues identified are separate and apart from the takeover of the development’s infrastructure by the municipal corporation,” it said.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com