Designing a new home or addition to your existing property is an exciting process, but you could be unknowingly inviting pests into the new space. You can avoid costly infestations later by taking some proactive steps and ensuring that pest control best practices are followed now. 

New homes and add-ons or renovations are built on ground that has been freshly cleared of trees and plants. Landscaping for curb appeal could also introduce new pests to the building site. You could also bring pests in with other construction materials, or they could set up shop before the walls and roof are finished.

It’s not just ants and termites that you have to watch out for. Spiders may move in when you do, and although they’re not the cutest, they’ll help keep other pests at bay by eating them. Mice and rats might also be looking for a new home since the construction cleared out their existing nests.

Before Breaking Ground

The pest control process for newly constructed or renovated homes needs to start during the planning process — before the design is created and long before you break any ground to start building. Contact a professional pest control team and explain your project, or better yet, have them collaborate with your contractor or architect directly. 

Pest control experts will be able to identify the common pests in your area and suggest a plan of action to maintain your home’s pest-free status. This can also include in-wall pest control systems. Because these systems are installed before walls even go up, there’s no disruption to your living space, and the product stays within the walls (safer for kids and pets) away from weather elements that can break down the system. The cost is no greater than traditional pest control, and you don’t have to be home to receive treatment.

During the Build

Depending on your project and the materials used, pest control professionals may also recommend termite pre-treatment of raw lumber materials. That will protect those materials as they sit on a worksite waiting to be used and then throughout the lifespan of the home.

The worksite then becomes even more susceptible when the work begins. You can set up bait traps around the property, and you should always eliminate standing water. Crews should be cleaning daily to get rid of debris and trash that could attract pests.

The Finishing Touches

Making smart choices for the small often overlooked details of your new construction home can serve as an additional layer of protection against pests. Tightly-fitting doors and windows with flush weatherstripping block the great outdoors from getting in. Landscaping should be placed a bit of a distance from the exterior of the building so as not to “hide” pest activity that could lead to an infestation. 

Work with your pest control partner to learn about your new in-wall system and other methods of keeping pests away from your newly constructed or renovated Metro Area home. Based on their suggestions, create a maintenance schedule, including seasonal maintenance visits to administer pest control through the in-wall system. 

At PestShield, we want to ensure we inform our customers of all of their best pest control options. This is one option you do not want to overlook for customers or builders who are getting ready for a new build. The pest control company must install this system during the build process. However, if you’re planning on building a new home and you’d like to add an in-wall system, or if you think you have one and want to set up a maintenance plan, connect with our experts at PestShield now.