How to Prevent Pests When Renovating Your Home in North Carolina
Home renovations are an exciting opportunity to alter your home so that it is a better fit for your family. Unfortunately, home renovations can also open your home up to pest infestations by creating new entry points and attracting pests in the area.
To avoid costly pest issues, it's important to take proper measures to keep your home pest-free before and during the renovation process. Continue reading to learn how you can prevent pests while you renovate your home in North Carolina.
Why Do Pests Appear During Home Renovations?
You may be wondering why pest infestations occur so commonly during home renovations in North Carolina. Some reasons for this include:
The hiding places and nests of pests like rodents and ants are often disturbed by renovation work, causing them to spread and become more visible.
Renovation work on home exteriors creates new entry points that makes it easier for pests in the area to gain access to your home.
Piles of debris or building materials are often left around homes during renovation, giving pests a convenient place to seek shelter.
Planning to Prevent Pests Before Renovation Begins
Sometimes, homeowners in North Carolina think that a pest problem happened because of renovation work when, actually, the pests were already there and renovation just exposed them. If you're planning extensive home renovations, it's a wise idea to schedule a professional pest inspection first. What you find might change your renovation plans; for example, if you discover the floor you were planning to replace is infested with termites, you'll need to have the pests exterminated before work begins.
Sealing possible entry points is another good step you can take to prevent pests in your North Carolina home during renovation. New roofing and siding being installed on your home exterior offers pests attractive new places to shelter. The installation of new materials inside your home may also be inviting to nearby pests. By closing off entry points, such as gaps around windows and doors, you can reduce the risk of a pest infestation during your renovation process.
One more good preemptive step is to plan for waste management during renovation. Throwing out a bunch of old floorboards and roof shingles may draw pests like roaches, carpenter ants, and termites to your. To prevent them from coming inside, place dumpsters a safe distance from your home instead of right up against it.
Keeping Pests Out of Your North Carolina Home During Renovation
Once renovation work begins on your North Carolina home, pest prevention will be an ongoing process. Practicing proper waste disposal is one of the best ways to avoid pest problems. Throw away old materials promptly; never leave piles of scrapwood or other debris lying on the ground. Be careful where you store new building materials, too. Pests thrive in clutter, so failing to keep your worksite clear of debris can be a disaster.
Renovation work often involves replacing doors and windows, but you should never leave these openings exposed. All kinds of pests, from tiny ants to big rodents, are likely to scurry right into your home if they see an opportunity like this. Make sure to install temporary screens or barriers at the end of each work day to avoid any pest problems.
Be careful about moisture during your home renovation. Replacing roofs, windows, and siding opens up your home exterior for water infiltration and moisture damage. Many species of pests found in North Carolina - including termites, roaches, and silverfish - are attracted to moist, rotting wood. Place a waterproof tarp or other cover over any exposed areas of your home during renovation to keep them away.
Reliable Pest Prevention Solutions in North Carolina
At Sustainable Pest Systems, we use eco-friendly and reliable methods to pest-proof our clients' homes. Give us a call today if you're in need of pest prevention services in North Carolina! We operate throughout the greater Raleigh area, including the cities of Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Apex, and Holly Springs.