Preventive treatment in Harat Al Bahr, Jeddah

Targeted, not broadcast

Product goes into cracks and runways, never sprayed across open surfaces.
Told before we start

What we will use, where it goes, and what to cover or move before we arrive.
A follow-up visit

We return after the first treatment, because what survives it does not show on the day.
Homes and businesses

Apartments and villas, and kitchens and stores that need a record of each visit.

Why they keep coming back in Harat Al Bahr

Cracks in the old stone building run deep and are permanent, and insects live in them all year without needing to travel far to shelter or breed. The method is set out in full on the full Preventive treatment page.

The first reason

Ancient coral stone and deep permanent cracks

Old stone and mortar are brittle, and cracks run deep into the walls. Sealing every gap in a historic building is impractical, so the programme focuses on the residual band at the base outside and targeted spraying at every known opening to intercept entry.

The second reason

Constant sea moisture and salt spray

The nearby sea sends moisture and salt without pause, and insects thrive in these conditions. Monitoring focuses on zones near the surface and foundation where moisture and salt collect and insects concentrate in the cool, damp months.

The third reason

Narrow low lanes and occasional floods

The quarter sits low at the waterfront edge, and rare heavy rain sweeps insects and debris from the harbour. After rain, monitoring points are read more closely because added moisture keeps insects active longer.

The character of Harat Al Bahr

Historic district: close-set buildings, narrow lanes and ageing services

Old coral stone houses mean rebuilding is not an option, so the preventive programme here relies on careful monitoring and targeted spraying rather than comprehensive sealing that might succeed in modern homes.

Before treatment

What a preventive visit reads

A very old historic coastal quarter, coral stone houses sitting close to the water's edge, winding narrow lanes, and sea moisture visible on every wall and ceiling.

The base of an exterior wall where the building meets the ground

The base of the outside wall

The base of the outside wall in Harat Al Bahr sits on damp ground and salt, so the residual band needs frequent renewal because salt corrosion wears it thin.

An exterior door threshold and the gap beneath it

Gaps and openings

Gaps between old coral stones are many and deep, and sealing major openings slows entry but insects find other routes through historic fabric.

An outdoor air conditioning unit with a condensate pipe on the wall

Air conditioning condensate

Air conditioning condensate is sparse here but wall seepage and rising damp from the ground below provide constant moisture that insects depend on.

Floor drains

Floor drains are ancient and may be partially blocked, and stagnant water beneath the ground floor shelters rodents and insects throughout the year.

A drip irrigation line in damp soil beside planting

Irrigation against the wall

Irrigation is absent from the quarter but natural moisture and constant seepage make artificial watering unnecessary and irrelevant.

A closed monitoring station at the foot of a wall

The monitoring points

Monitoring points are placed with heightened sensitivity on walls, floors and cracks, and may be checked more frequently than in modern quarters.

How we work

1
The baseline survey

We walk the outside boundary and then the inside: gaps under doors, pipe runs, vents, condensate lines, drains, the bin area and the store, and we fix the monitoring points before anything is applied.
2
Close the routes

Mesh on the vents, the gap under the door dealt with, the sleeve around a pipe run closed, and water put back into the drain nobody uses. Exclusion saves a spray that would otherwise repeat forever.
3
The band and the placed product

A residual band at the base of the wall outside and around door and window openings, with placed product inside joints and closed voids where it is warranted, and no open spray across living surfaces.
4
The scheduled visit: read, renew, record

We read the points to see which side is under pressure, renew the band where sun or irrigation has taken it, aim the visit at what the coming season opens up, and write down what was found and what was used.

What the preventive programme includes

A survey, then a check every visit

Entry points, moisture sources and storage, recorded before anything is applied and revisited each time.
Monitoring points that get read

At the wall and floor junction, under sinks and in the store, checked on every visit rather than only the last one.
A renewed exterior band

At the wall base and around the openings, put back wherever sun or irrigation took it between visits.
Drains, water lines and waste

The water seal in the drains, the condensate line and the ground around the bins, which are the standing water and food sources.
Between the visits

What to keep dry, what to keep closed, and what is worth a call before the next date. Ventilation we tell you before the visit.
A scheduled visit and a record of each

An agreed date, what the points held, what was treated, and what changed since last time.

Landmarks of Harat Al Bahr

Work in Harat Al Bahr centres on the path from Bab Al Bunt to Qabil Street, the historic axis that runs through the quarter. From Dar Radwan northwards lie the oldest and most moisture-exposed sections where infestation pressure is highest.

Bab Al Bunt
Qabil Street
Dar Radwan
Akkash Mosque

Questions about this district

The old stone has many deep cracks, can they all be sealed?

Sealing every crack in a historic building is impractical. The programme seals major openings and entrances, places the residual band outside to repel entry, and monitors points with heightened attention for signs of activity.

Does sea moisture reduce how well preventive spraying works?

Moisture does not reduce spraying effectiveness but extends the season when insects are active. Visits may come more frequently in high-moisture periods to maintain protection.

Are insects from the harbour and ships different from inland insects?

Some rodent and insect species are more active on the coast. The programme watches specifically for signs of marine insects and coastal ant species that favour the waterfront.

The old house has a musty smell, is this a sign of insects?

Moisture and mould indicate an environment where insects will thrive. Spraying alone is not enough; improved ventilation and drying are essential before and during the programme.

Are monitoring points stable in an old house or do they move?

Points remain in place but are checked every visit and may be relocated if a different spot proves more effective for observing insect movement through the house.

Does the old roof need special protection from insects and rodents?

The old roof needs separate monitoring because birds and rodents reach it from neighbouring roofs or from the sea, so points are set there as well.

How much does preventive treatment in Harat Al Bahr cost?

It is set after the inspection, because the price follows the type of infestation, the size of the space, how far it has spread and the number of visits it needs. Send a photo and a description on WhatsApp and we will give you an estimate before we reach Harat Al Bahr.