Renovating your home can be exciting. But you might forget about pests in the middle of the dust and progress. Home renovations can unknowingly create openings for insects and rodents to infiltrate homes in a warm and humid place like Altamonte Springs. Thus, it is important to know how certain changes can attract unwanted guests, whether you are updating a kitchen, adding a sunroom, or replacing your roof. This allows you to work with a local company like Avata Pest Control. This Clermont company has a team of trained technicians that offer the highest quality of pest control service in Central Florida. Here’s how renovation projects can lead to pest infestations in Altamonte Springs:
Opening Walls Can Expose Hidden Entry Points
A renovation project might include opening walls to update wiring, plumbing, or insulation. But, this can open gaps that may provide entry points for ants, cockroaches, or mice. Not closing the wall cavity quickly can offer an easy pathway for these pests into your living space.
This is especially true in older homes in Altamonte Springs. Past repairs or weather damage may have created small cracks or crevices in these homes. This makes it essential to ensure all work areas are sealed off at the end of each day. Also, walls should be properly sealed after completing every work.
Exposed Wood Can Attract Termites
Many renovation projects involve cutting or replacing wood. This is possible when framing for a new room, putting in hardwood floors, or building a deck. Leaving any of the wood exposed, especially untreated lumber, can attract termites. Florida’s humid climate speeds up the process by creating the type of damp and warm environment termites love.
It is important to use treated materials or apply termite-resistant coatings before starting any woodwork. Also, clean up scraps of wood and sawdust once construction is finished. These particles can draw ants and beetles if left behind.
Roof Repairs Can Invite Rodents
Fixing or replacing a roof can be a way for pests to get into attics. Exposing the roofline for more than a day allows squirrels, rats, or bats to sneak inside. These animals can chew insulation, wiring, and wood and create nests that are difficult to remove in the attic.
To avoid this, schedule roofing projects during dry weather and ensure that the job moves quickly. Ensure openings are temporarily sealed to block entry at the end of each workday. When the project is done, inspect the roofline carefully, especially around soffits and vents.
New Landscaping Can Disturb Nesting Areas
Renovations often go beyond the house itself. Maybe you want to install a patio, regrade your yard, or plant new shrubs. These projects might disturb the soil and uncover nests of ants and spiders. Pests that lose their natural homes may head toward your home in search of new shelter.
To keep them away, create a buffer zone around your home by keeping plants trimmed and mulch from piling up near the foundation. Choose pest-resistant plants when possible. Also, keep an eye out for signs of activity in disturbed areas.
Changing Your Kitchen Can Disrupt Pest Behavior
Kitchen remodels are a favorite among homeowners, but they also temporarily change food and water sources. This change can cause cockroaches and rodents to become more active. Moving appliances or plumbing can reveal hidden droppings or trails that show pests have been there.
Clean deep into corners and along baseboards before new materials are installed when replacing cabinets or countertops. Seal cracks with caulk and make sure all plumbing connections are tight.
HVAC and Plumbing Projects May Leave Gaps
Running new plumbing or HVAC ducts through walls or floors can leave small gaps behind. Spiders and silverfish can slip through these tiny openings and nest in basements or laundry rooms. Ask contractors to seal around all pipes and vents with expanding foam or weatherproof caulk. This helps close off one of the most overlooked pest entry points.
