How Professional Pest Control Can Benefit New Construction Real Estate

April 15, 2022

Purchasing a new home or breaking ground on new construction should be an exciting time. However, unwanted pests can drag a rain cloud over a joyous occasion. Many people may be surprised to discover that termites can take root within new homes and in new construction. Fortunately, our team at River City Termite & Pest is a professional Baton Rouge pest control company that can help alleviate your worries when it comes to termites and other pests. 

What Are The Types Of Termites In Baton Rouge?

Termites are wood-eating insects that can be found globally. Their bodies are long, narrow, and oval-shaped. Termites range in color from creamy white to dark browns. They measure up to an inch in length and possess a set of antennae and six legs. Like most of the United States, the two most common species of termites are the subterranean termite and the dry-wood termite.

There are a few differences to help the average homeowner recognize a subterranean termite from a dry-wood termite. Dry-wood termites, as their name suggests, infest dry wood. Likewise, the subterranean termite takes after its name in that it requires moist soil in order to survive. Dry-wood termites are larger than subterranean termites. Dry-wood termites bore into wood, carving out tunnels in which to live. However, subterranean termites use sawdust created during their chewing and mix it with their waste to create a paste. They use this paste to build up their nest. The tubes that subterranean termites construct with this paste are called mud tubes. Mud tubes are essential for subterranean termites, as they dry out and die if exposed to air for too long. Both species are capable of chewing through your Baton Rouge and ruining its structural integrity.

How Long Does It Take For Termites To Destroy A New Home?

The speed at which damage occurs to a home infested with termites depends on the size of the termite colony. Termite colonies can range from tens of thousands to millions of insects. Termites can cause expensive, permanent damage to a home within just a few years. These pests are often called silent destroyers, as they can do a lot of unseen harm until it is too late.

Why Termite Control For New Construction Is Necessary

Termites do not discriminate between new and old homes. They will happily eat new wood if given a chance. Termites can find their way onto your construction site or into your new home through Already infested lumber or landscaping. Furthermore, some soil already has termites living in it, which can move on to infest the structures built on top of it.

Termite infestations can cause a multitude of issues in your new home. Some key signs of an active infestation include hollow-sounding walls, warped floors, and bubbling paint. Your new investment could become a money pit if termites are allowed to invade.

Are There Ways To Prevent Termites On New Construction?

Fortunately for Baton Rouge residents, there are a few tips that will help prevent termite infestations, such as:

• Close any opening that a termite could use to enter the home. Termites are small and can fit through tiny cracks. It is best to seal these with silicone-based caulking.
• Avoid building a structure directly onto the ground. If the foundation sits right on top of the soil, subterranean termites can burrow directly into the wood from the soil.
• Use termite-resistant wood, such as oak, redwood, and teak, when building your foundation.
• Keep firewood and excess lumber away from the house to avoid attracting termites.
• Cut back branches and keep brush short so as to not allow a foothold for the termites to climb onto your home.
• Avoid standing water on your Baton Rouge property. This can be done by ensuring the yard is level and has proper drainage before beginning a new build. Additionally, addressing leaks immediately and keeping empty planters overturned will avoid water pooling.

Of course, the best way to avoid termites on your property is to partner with a Baton Rouge pest control company, like River City Termite & Pest. River City Termite & Pest has over a decade of experience in protecting Baton Rouge homes. For peace of mind, give us a call today!

Tags: termite control

What Are The Types Of Termites In Baton Rouge?

Termites are wood-eating insects that can be found globally. Their bodies are long, narrow, and oval-shaped. Termites range in color from creamy white to dark browns. They measure up to an inch in length and possess a set of antennae and six legs. Like most of the United States, the two most common species of termites are the subterranean termite and the dry-wood termite.

There are a few differences to help the average homeowner recognize a subterranean termite from a dry-wood termite. Dry-wood termites, as their name suggests, infest dry wood. Likewise, the subterranean termite takes after its name in that it requires moist soil in order to survive. Dry-wood termites are larger than subterranean termites. Dry-wood termites bore into wood, carving out tunnels in which to live. However, subterranean termites use sawdust created during their chewing and mix it with their waste to create a paste. They use this paste to build up their nest. The tubes that subterranean termites construct with this paste are called mud tubes. Mud tubes are essential for subterranean termites, as they dry out and die if exposed to air for too long. Both species are capable of chewing through your Baton Rouge and ruining its structural integrity.

How Long Does It Take For Termites To Destroy A New Home?

The speed at which damage occurs to a home infested with termites depends on the size of the termite colony. Termite colonies can range from tens of thousands to millions of insects. Termites can cause expensive, permanent damage to a home within just a few years. These pests are often called silent destroyers, as they can do a lot of unseen harm until it is too late.

Why Termite Control For New Construction Is Necessary

Termites do not discriminate between new and old homes. They will happily eat new wood if given a chance. Termites can find their way onto your construction site or into your new home through Already infested lumber or landscaping. Furthermore, some soil already has termites living in it, which can move on to infest the structures built on top of it.

Termite infestations can cause a multitude of issues in your new home. Some key signs of an active infestation include hollow-sounding walls, warped floors, and bubbling paint. Your new investment could become a money pit if termites are allowed to invade.

Are There Ways To Prevent Termites On New Construction?

Fortunately for Baton Rouge residents, there are a few tips that will help prevent termite infestations, such as:

• Close any opening that a termite could use to enter the home. Termites are small and can fit through tiny cracks. It is best to seal these with silicone-based caulking.
• Avoid building a structure directly onto the ground. If the foundation sits right on top of the soil, subterranean termites can burrow directly into the wood from the soil.
• Use termite-resistant wood, such as oak, redwood, and teak, when building your foundation.
• Keep firewood and excess lumber away from the house to avoid attracting termites.
• Cut back branches and keep brush short so as to not allow a foothold for the termites to climb onto your home.
• Avoid standing water on your Baton Rouge property. This can be done by ensuring the yard is level and has proper drainage before beginning a new build. Additionally, addressing leaks immediately and keeping empty planters overturned will avoid water pooling.

Of course, the best way to avoid termites on your property is to partner with a Baton Rouge pest control company, like River City Termite & Pest. River City Termite & Pest has over a decade of experience in protecting Baton Rouge homes. For peace of mind, give us a call today!

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Jeremy Seaton of River City Termite and Pest Control knows what he's doing. He keeps things simple and explains everything. He taught a class for local real estate investors where he willingly shared his time and expertise.

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