Building A Home? Important Steps For Preventing Termites

From picking a floorplan and finalizing a lender to selecting windows and paint colors for the wall, building a home can become overwhelming. While these decisions are usually considered priorities, focusing on pest prevention during the construction of your home is also necessary. Considering that termites cause an estimated $5 billion in damage each year in the United States, preventing these small pests from entering your home during and after the construction process is imperative. With these tips, you will learn how to protect your home from termite damage during the construction phase.

Pre-Construction

You may be surprised to learn there are a few preventative measures you can take during the pre-construction phase of building your home.

Before your builder pours the slab for the home's foundation or digs the footers in your plot of land, the soil should be treated with an insecticide. This chemical will form a barrier between the ground and slab/foundation of the home. This reduces the risk of any insects affecting your home's construction.

In addition to applying insecticides around the perimeter of the home's foundation, small holes should be dug into the soil at various points around and inside the foundation area. Insecticides should be applied to these holes, as well, to maximize the amount of protection against termites and other pests.

During Construction

During the construction of your home, consider using lumber that has been treated with borate chemicals. These chemicals deter wood-boring insects, such as termites, beetles, and carpenter ants, without toxic odors that can be harmful to you, your children, and pets. Borate chemical solutions also protect your home against the growth of fungi that cause rot and decay.

An additional application of insecticide during the construction of your home is also smart. Be sure to focus the application on floor beams, ceiling joists, the attic, the basement, and the crawlspace. Also, treating window and door frames is also wise for preventing termite infestations.

Lastly, apply insecticide to any wood surfaces that come in contact with the ground, such as a porch or deck structure that is attached to the home.

Focus on your crawlspace during the construction of your home to control moisture and prevent pests. Consider sealing your crawlspace completely to prevent high levels of humidity. If you are not sealing the entire space, make sure to cover the majority of the crawlspace floor with plastic sheeting. This will help control moisture, which will make the crawlspace less appealing to pests and mold.

Post-Construction

Using the above tips during the construction phase will protect your home and finances from a costly and overwhelming infestation, but you should continue treating your home for a potential infestation once you move in.

Make sure to reduce any areas of high moisture around your home, since termites and other pests are attracted to moisture. Do not keep any pots, planters, or other items that could contain water around your home's exterior.

Avoid storing piles of firewood or project lumber around your home's exterior. Termites and other pests will find this wood appealing, which will attract them to your home.

You should also make sure gutters and downspouts are effectively installed on your home. A guttering system will remove water from the roof and move it away from the home's foundation. Clean leaves and other debris from the gutters regularly to ensure they are working properly.

Finally, you should consult a pest management professional from a company like Fowler Pest Control to maintain a home that is free of pests. Annual treatments or an application of insecticide every few months will deter termites and most other pests from affecting your home's structure.

You may not place much emphasis on controlling pests while building your home. However, pest prevention should be a mandatory part of construction. This guide will help you and your builder prevent a costly termite infestation.