Considering Pest Control When Designing Your New Home!

This post is provided by Katherine Smith.

Are you getting ready to build your home from the ground up? There are countless things to keep in mind and consider as you plan and set up the design options for your new place. One thing that may not be on your list of priorities when configuring design and architecture is pest invasion. The last thing you want crawling into your home is a pesky bug or rodent from nearby. Consider your neighborhood. Has there been a history with pest problems before? Are you building in a rural area? If so, you may want to take some preliminary precautions before you build and design. Here are just a few helpful tips.

Reconsider Building On A Slab

Are you getting ready to plan your foundation? Many homes have a basement foundation which allows extreme structural support for your new home. Not all areas of the state can accommodate a basement foundation, for several reasons including the clay soil which makes it difficult to build on and the high water tables in many low-lying areas. If you will have a slab foundation, make sure that precautions are taken during the design process to prevent small insects and critters from coming in. This could be through insulated trim and making sure there are screens and screen doors throughout the home. If a basement is an option, it gives you a better chance of keeping pesky rodents and other invaders at bay. Contact a reputable pest control services company to come out and inspect your property prior to your build. It could save you hundreds of dollars on termite or ant infestation that could destroy your new home as well as its contents, very quickly.

Do Not Skimp On Insulation

When sitting down with your building contractor, be sure to include high quality insulation within your home’s interior. This would not affect interior decorating or design and will reduce the risk of pests getting inside your home and destroying your carpet, flooring and furniture. Some suggestions include:

*Insulated panels in the basement or crawlspace as well as walls prior to final construction.

*Blown-in cellulose insulation to trap warm air in and keep cold air out.

*Rolled or batt insulation in the attic and crawlspace to insulate and thwart winged intruders like bats and birds as well as four legged rodents and insects.

Insulation protects your home’s interior contents by stabilizing temperatures and reducing condensation buildup on the inside. Moist environments destroy home decor and also attract certain types of insects such as centipedes and some beetles.

Avoid Using Repurposed Materials

A cutting-edge design trend is to repurpose hard wood and other structural materials from a tear-down or previous residence. While this is a great way to give new life to old materials and give your home more character, use caution. Insects such as termites, bed bugs and powder post beetles are just a few of the invaders that can find their way to your new home. Even a small egg left behind could turn into a full infestation in days or weeks- and also spread throughout your entire home. Be vigilant and thoroughly inspect any used materials that will be used in your home. This could save you money in the long run in regards to exterminating a bothersome insect infestation.

Apply New Weatherproofing

Even though your home is likely very airtight due to new construction, consider adding additional weatherproofing to control a possible pest problem. Rodents, bats, insects and other small critters can easily squeeze through the tiniest of spaces within your home or crawlspace to reach a warm environment. In the meantime they can tear up wallpaper, wainscoting and affect the drywall in your newly designed home. If you are worried about a possible infestation, consider hiring a pro to come out and:

*Apply foam trim around doors, windows and any visible gaps or crevices.

*Add insulation to your garage door and areas between the foundation of your garage and the structure.

*Install spray foam insulation in between the door and window jambs.

Weatherproofing your home is especially effective in the late summer and fall months when some pests choose to look for warmer territory.

The best way to keep your new property looking its best is to keep uninvited critters outside where they belong. Calling a pest control specialist now to inspect your property will help detect any issues and give you some helpful tips to keep your home vermin free for years to come.