Termite Prevention During the Construction of New Homes
Imagine building your dream house and stepping into it for the first time. Bliss, right? But also imagine that you find your new house to have already become home to these bothersome pests called termites! Cue to panic!
This situation can be easily prevented if you choose termite prevention methods during the pre-construction phase. All you have to do is consult a good termite company and get the treatments done.
Pre-Construction Termite Treatment
Pre-construction termite treatment is done to the structure before it is completed. The components of the structure along with the places that will become inaccessible after the completion of the structure are both treated for termites. This is the easiest and most effective way of preventing a termite attack before it happens.
Also Read: Should You Get a Termite Treatment Done Before Moving into a New House?
Why Choose Pre-Construction Termite Treatment?
If the place you are building the structure in has termite problems, then pre-construction termite treatment will save you hundreds of dollars in the future.
Also, when the intent is to keep away termites from the structure right from the start, we make conscious decisions in all aspects including the design and landscaping of the house.
Most importantly, the places like foundations, the soil on which the structure stands and the wood used in some places will become inaccessible once the structure is complete. Termite infestation in these places might cost you a fortune because of complex termite control methods. Therefore, it is a wise choice to plan the treatment to stop the problem before it begins.
Types of Pre-Construction Termite Treatment
Termite prevention during the pre-construction stage is done in many steps. Depending on the type of structure, the types of termites active in the particular area and some other factors, the termite treatment suitable for your structure would be recommended by professionals from the termite company. Here are some of the pre-construction termite treatment options that you should know about.
Reduce Soil-to-Wood Contact
Subterranean termites live underground and enter the structure in search of food. Excess soil-to-wood contact will ensure easy access to the wood in your home. Make sure that your contractor is aware of this and also remind the workers not to leave any wood debris lying on the construction site.
It is always best to avoid direct contact between the wood used in your building and the soil. If it is unavoidable, then use termite-resistant wood or treat the wood.
Use Termite-Resistant Materials
Termites are persistent creatures and thus can cause considerable damage to your house if left untreated. The worst part is they can be eating the structure without showing any prominent signs.
To be on the safer side, it would be best to choose termite-resistant materials over wood. Concrete, light-gauge steel framing, termite-resistant metal mesh and other construction products can make your structure less appetizing to termites.
Use Treated Woods
We can already hear you voice out your frustration on how it is almost impossible to avoid wood altogether in construction even with the replacements.
When you have to use wood in your structure, then it is best to go with treated wood. There are options like borate pressure-treated wood and more that can repel the termites. Termite-resistant meshes can be wrapped around the wooden components to keep away the termites.
Soil Treatment
Subterranean termites are the most destructive species of termites. To avoid them from entering your home, you will have to get soil treatment done.
Liquid Treatment
Liquid termite treatment usually involves creating a tunnel in the soil around the house and filling it with liquid termiticide. When the termites come in contact with this treated soil, they are immediately killed. This barrier will wear out with time and will have to be replenished for continued protection.
The termite control professionals would recommend mandatory treatment of the soil around the foundation and also of the soil underneath the concrete slab. When done in the pre-construction stage, this method is greatly effective in keeping away the termites from your structure.
Termite Bait Stations
If you do not prefer liquid termite treatments, then you can opt for termite bait stations. These baits filled with termiticides are placed in various spots around your home. Usually, the baits are designed in such a way that the termite coming in contact with it carries the poison with it and also kills the other termites in the colony.
This method uses less termiticide than the liquid treatment method but regular inspection is needed. The termite control provider will monitor the station for termite activity and replace the bait stations with new ones when necessary.
Also Read: Why Do DIY Termite Treatments Fail?
HiTech Termite Control
Even with the pre-construction termite treatments, an annual termite inspection is necessary to find the termite infestation in your house in the early stages. Contact us here for a free termite inspection.
- Mar 22, 2023