How to Deal With Pests During Home Remodeling

We may ask, how is that possible when all the materials we used are new and everything was started from scratch?

Did the roaches just fly in and decided to breed in there overnight?

When did this start? The answer? Improper or lack of pest control.

Pest control is a crucial part of the preparation and planning before a team can commence any construction. In fact, pest control should be made as the first step to creating anything—houses, offices, bathrooms, etc. Without it, you will suffer years of living in your home having to deal with pests every now and then.

Here are some safety tips and practices that you can follow while dealing with pests:

Three Tips Before Starting Construction

Meet with a pest management professional and have the area treated, if necessary.

We have to admit that our contractors do not know everything. Some will even just proceed upon instruction without the necessary foundation. It is important that you meet with a pest management professional. They are experts in the field of keeping your home pest-free. They can easily identify areas that may be possible breeding grounds for pests, and you definitely do not want to build your home on top of that.

Pests, such as mites and cockroaches, can crawl into very small places. They love dark, dirty, and moist places. Even if your materials are new, building on top of the ground with the presence of pests is a danger. If you don’t know anyone, you can check directories or ask your friends if they know anyone from pest control management.

Oftentimes, we don’t see any signs of the pest on the ground, but this is more of a preventive measure so that as building progresses, the workers don’t need to delay the work because treatment has to be done.

Make the purchases from a trusted supplier.

Over time, as any business does, suppliers also build their reputation. Ask assistance from your architect in choosing the best suppliers where you can purchase the raw materials.

Ask your neighbors or friends where they order their raw construction materials. Eventually, you will learn that some of the people you know already suffer from pests. Some materials are also low grade and easily collapse when water is introduced to them, and some are just not durable and trustworthy.

Some suppliers will even give you discounts when they know that a previous customer is your friend. This is also the best time to make connections, as this will not be the last time that you may need raw materials for construction. A trusted supplier may give you a guarantee that your materials have the best quality.

Inspect the materials even if they are new.

Upon receiving your construction materials, it is time to store them. Make sure that you also exercise proper storage. We do not want to put cement in a place that is usually damp, lest. Once it dries up, it hardens and it can no longer be reverted back to its original form.

We don’t want to store sand in a very windy place either. It’s best to keep them covered. During the span of time that they are stored, we do not know what kind of insects or pests will hover and decide to build their home there.

It is also best to keep them away from trees and plants. It is important to instruct contractors to have a thorough examination of the raw materials before actually using them. This takes a keen eye to spot any defects on the materials such as holes and the presence of mites.

During Remodeling

During remodeling, the contractors must also be watchful of the presence of mites, rodents, and other bugs in the raw materials. That is why there must be a careful examination of the materials before using them.

Also, once remodeling has commenced, a contractor must exercise proper storage and clean up after each day. Storage must be made in a clean, dry place with average temperature.

If you find a single pest, it is advisable to move the materials to a different place. Remember to seal, if necessary, and to keep doors closed all the time. Pests are good at using small spaces to get through.

Also, install screens and protective plastic to preserve the quality of your raw materials. Because remodeling takes a lot of time to complete, it is best to have a contingency plan in case infestation.

Remember that this is not a one-time activity, but something you must be watchful while the remodeling goes on. Always keep the storage area clean and ask your contractors to clean up and ventilate the area after each day so the presence of pests will be easily visible. They even can use an air mover to make air circulation faster.

After Completion

The best part of remodeling is when the work is done but this is just the beginning of the cleaning process. After proper cleaning, you can finally live in your pest-free home.

So how do you make sure that your home is pest-free after remodeling?

You may want to consider natural ways to do this.

Using natural or compost fertilizers around your home is the best way to do it. You can decorate your home from outside by maintaining a garden in the front yard. This is not only for beautification purposes, but is also a good way of preventing pests.

Make sure to get rid of any weeds or debris from your garden eventually, this will cause it to become dirty and attract rodents. Also, take out the weak or dead plants that may become infected by pests.

We do not want them to build a home in our plants. When the plants are healthy, we can attract natural allies which will help us get rid of pests because these insects also prey on other pests.

It is also best to water your plants early so that they stay dry for the rest of the day. Moving your plants around can also be a good idea because pests are plant specific. They will not tend to stay when their habitat is destroyed, right?

Another tip is to hire a knowledgeable gardener. This is especially helpful when you have a day job and can’t tend to your garden.

With all these tips in mind, you can be sure that your newly remodeled home is pest-free.