Monday, November 5, 2012

Home Improvement: How It Can Deter Pests



Having to pay for termite treatment is only the first step to repairing insect damage. The wood and building materials must also be replaced. An annual termite inspection and preventative pest control measures could lessen or prevent infestation all together. Homeowners today can hire professional companies to inspect and treat the home for insect prevention. They can also perform some of the treatments themselves.

A home renovation or remodel is a great time to enact pest prevention measures. Every area of the house possesses vulnerabilities that require special attention. These areas are desirable entry points for pests like termites and silverfish. Termites cause billions of dollars in damage to homes across the country. They eat, live in, and tunnel through wood, weakening wall studs, rafters, and joists. Meanwhile, silverfish eat cellulose such as the paper covering in drywall. This weakens walls and can cause them to fail.

It’s important to check your house thoroughly. Appliance, outlets, and electrical panels are great places to check for and prevent pests. Any pipes or appliance that can cause condensation or leaks should be insulated or repaired. Moisture attracts pests, and provides a growing medium for mold.

To deter pests from entering your home, make sure to regularly clean under the refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove. In addition to removing food particles and grease, you should also install other pest control methods in and around your home. This is because pests prefer to set up nests near outlets and electrical panels.

-          Sewage and plumbing lines are perfect infiltration places for pests.
-          Plug all holes in walls and foundations that have pipes or electric cables running through them.
-          Regularly inspect pipes under cabinets, in the garage, and in the attic.

HVAC systems have pipes running through the wall from the condensing unit to the indoor evaporator/blower unit. Inspecting the unit inside and outside for leaks is essential. You should also inspect the outside vents to ensure the screens are intact. Caulk around vents and vent screens to block possible entrances. Areas around the outside drain should be inspected as well. Windows, doors, and floors are perfect places for pest control.

-          Ensure weather stripping is in good condition and seals all gaps completely.
-          Insulate and treat gaps around doors and windows.

At the floor baseboards, inspect for any insect damage. The flooring sill is supposed to have a moisture and insect barrier. If one is missing, install one to prevent problems.

Garage doors need to have a weather strip at the bottom. This prevents rodents and other large pests from entering the home. Keep grass and plants trimmed away from the house’s foundation. Tall grass and plants act as highways for invading insects, especially termites. Basements, attics, and roofs are places that are largely ignored until a problem arises. Termite treatment and repairs in an attic space are expensive. Inspect the roofing materials to identify any leaks. Soffits and flashings should have proper sealants applied to block any entrance for pests.

All vents should be properly caulked. In basements, ensure sump pumps are working properly to remove moisture. Any cracks in the walls or floors should be repaired immediately. Treat the flooring sills that have contact with the basement walls. By taking care of these areas during a remodel and having an annual termite inspection, your home will be a pest-free zone. Make pest inspection part of your spring and fall cleaning routine. There are dozens of products on the market to help you keep your home free of disease-carrying pests.

Monday, June 18, 2012

“The way a child discovers the world constantly replicates the way science began. You start to notice what's around you, and you get very curious about how things work. How things interrelate. It's as simple as seeing a bug that intrigues you. You want to know where it goes at night; who its friends are; what it eats.” ~ David Cronenberg

Bug Quote #1

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?  ~ Author Unknown