Some new houses are built with materials that are generally bug-resistant (e.g. steel, concrete, composite, etc.) but that doesn’t guarantee it wouldn’t have pest problems down the track. Instead of waiting for the day when destructive pests like termites come to gnaw through cupboards, door frames, plasterboards, and skirting boards, you should put up some kind of defence to protect the property early on. Besides, you wouldn’t want to find termites working their way up the building, eating insulation all the way to the roof support, wooden beams, and others.
In other words, you need pest control and inspection even for new houses.
New Homes Are Not Impregnable
With the threat of termites rampant all throughout the country, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Building Code of Australia requires new homes and extensions to have a termite management system in place. That includes chemical or physical barriers that are typically installed by professional pest exterminators. It’s worth noting that such a system may include chemical soil treatments or reticulation systems.
With that in mind, it’s best to leave the installation of such a complex system in the hands of a licensed pest controller. Doing so will ensure that the protection you have on your property is effective and long-lasting. Scrimping on this will surely come back to bite you, especially when the cheap system fails to keep termites at bay.
What to Do with New Homes
When the new home you’re planning to purchase is located in an area that is known to have a high risk for termite infestation, you need to have termite inspection done at least once a year. Better yet, discuss the need for one with a professional pest controller.
At the end of the day, getting your place inspector for pests like termites is a crucial requirement to keep the property safe. If you have invested in security systems that protect you and your kin from accidents, theft, and felony, why would you leave yourself vulnerable to these silent destroyers?
With an annual termite inspection, you can detect termite activity in their early stages. This should help you prevent the possibility of you spending for expensive repairs and dealing with large-scale termite damage. Plus, a timber pest inspection generally helps you spot potential areas that may be used by white ants to gain entry into your property.
The Process of Timber Pest Inspection
Generally, a pest inspector checks both the building’s interiors and exterior areas. He or she will look at accessible timbers under the house and roof along with the ones found on fences, gardens, and tree stumps. Any wooden structures or trees in close proximity to the main building will be observed, too. If there are termite barriers already put in place, he or she will assess their effectiveness. In the end, the pest inspection report will highlight any termite activity along with a termite management plan, including proposed methods and the associated costs.
For the most part, the comprehensive pest inspection of new houses should be done by an experienced termite inspector as it reports in-depth details on suspected signs of termite activity as well as factors that increase the risk of termite infestation e.g. wood types, local weather, etc.
A New Home Is Vulnerable to Pest Infestation
Property damage caused by white ants and other pests aren’t typically covered by homeowner’s insurance and this is one good reason to have pest inspection done before buying a house. You don’t want to be stuck with a building that requires costly repairs from the get-go or will be overrun by vermin down the track. This kind of property assessment makes sure that isn’t the case.
Here are signs that the new home you’re shopping might be dealing with pest issues:
Cracks on the Walls
A common issue in newer homes, these occur when the lumber used beneath is freshly cut so it has retained high moisture content. As the wood dries, shifting occurs and this can cause small cracks to form on the walls. The cracks typically happen at the joints where the drywall sheets conjoin.
Changing weather patterns is another reason that ground beneath homes shift and this causes the home’s foundation to do the same. When wall cracks occur because of this and if the cracks themselves exhibit signs of discolouration, it’s a sign of water damage. Whichever the reason that caused it, a cracked wall increases the property’s vulnerability to pest invasion.
Damp Smell Indoors
Keep in mind that dark, damp spaces are deemed ideal by many invasive insects because such an environment is perfect for their survival. In such places, there will likely be the presence of mildew, mould, shelter, and dead bugs, making them the perfect spot to breed.
Among the most common household pests drawn to homes with excess moisture and mould in the basement, bathroom, or attic are centipedes, silverfish, book lice, as well as dust and wood mites.
Wood Strewn in the Yard
As you or the pest inspector comes over to assess a house, be sure to check that the backyard or lawn is clean and free from any loose wood. There shouldn’t be used building materials, mulch, shrubbery, or firewood stacked anywhere. Leave these be and they’ll definitely draw pests and vermin later on.
Moisture Under the House
Any form of leak as well as the presence of drainage and gutters can leave a new house susceptible to a pest infestation. After all, fungi and mould develop near water sources and these are a staple food for many insects. The problem with these is that they bring in moisture and it can render building materials more permeable, which isn’t good news at all.
Leaks in the crawl space can’t be good and keeping the area dry consequently makes it unattractive to invading species. This is another reason why a proper water flow is crucial, especially in newly built structures.
New Houses Need Pest Control
Newly constructed homes aren’t immune to pest infestations because most of the materials they’re built with aren’t manufactured or stored in pristine environments. When wooden boards have been exposed to the elements and left outdoors prior to the actual construction, they may already have attracted insects and rodents. As the construction company clears a lot and disturbs the natural foliage and trees, they’ll also displace rodents and other critters. These creatures will eventually come back to the lot and live in the building that stands where their former home used to be.
Indeed, purchasing a new house and lot doesn’t guarantee ‘ownership’ in the truest sense of the word. In reality, you’d likely end up competing for space with critters like ants, rats, mice, termites, and bugs. If you want to keep these unwanted visitors at bay, no better way than calling professional pest exterminators like us! Call our company for a quote today!