 Homeowner Tips
There are many things you can do to help prevent pests from getting into your home.
 Indoor Pest Prevention Tips: (Printer-Friendly Version)
- Make sure all doors to the outside are well sealed. If light can be seen from around or under a door, then insects can gain access into your home.
- Keep air conditioning filters clean and thermostats properly adjusted so mold and mildew build-up does not attract tiny insects.
- Check under the sink to make sure there are no leaks and that gaps behind cabinetry are sealed off.
- Check grout around the tub and toilets. A good caulk seal will assure small insects such as silverfish or ants cannot enter in these locations.
- Check rolling glass doors to assure no light can be seen at base where doors join.
- In attic, make sure no water is accumulating in the air handler drip pan.
- Organize your attic space to remove unnecessary clutter and seal up any cardboard boxes to prevent insects from nesting inside.
Outdoor Pest Prevention Tips:
- Repair torn screens anywhere on property to prevent insect entry.
- Seal around soffits and gable vents to ensure that rodents and insects can't gain access to the roof or attic space.
- Seal around conduits or piping where it enters the structure. Many insects and rodents follow power lines or climb conduits or pipes to gain access to the home.
- Remove accumulated leaf litter from rain gutters or roofs to prevent ants and other insects from breeding under this build-up.
- Caulk cracks and crevices (i.e. under window frames or around pipes entering the side of the home) to prevent small insect entry.
- Keep garbage cans clean and lids on firmly to prevent ants, roaches and flies from feeding and breeding in the garbage.
- Keep the garage door closed and make sure that the weather-stripping along the base of the door is in good repair.
- Always prune off excess vegetation that touches the home, especially on eaves or your roof. This vegetation creates a highway for ant access.
- Check gutters to make sure that water is properly draining away from the home. Main drains should be free of leaves. Base of gutter drain should turn outward and water should be diverted from the foundation to discourage moisture build-up near foundation.
- Make sure the condensation drip line from the air conditioning is diverted at least 2 feet away from foundation.
- Remove debris, clutter or woodpiles from near the foundation. This discourages rodent nesting or insect colonization near the home.
- Check sprinkler system to be sure there is no puddling near foundation or spraying onto home.
Top
TERMITE
AND WOOD DECAY CHECKLIST (Printer-Friendly Version)
This
checklist will help you prevent termite damage and wood
decay in the house you own, and help you spot problems
in a house you might be thinking of buying. Take a few
minutes to answer these questions--it will help keep
your house healthy!
- Is
all wood in the house above the level of the soil?
- Does
water drain away from house?
- Does
the crawl space have adequate clearance (minimum
of 18" from floor joints to soil)? Ventilation
(minimum one vent every 8')? Is soil covered with
a moisture barrier (minimum 6 mil. visquene lapped
6" at seams and piers)?
- Is
landscaping banked above weep holes on slab foundation?
- Are
earth-filled porches and other structures separated
from the house?
- Is
roof overhang sufficient (minimum of 12" on
one story and 24" on two story)?
- Has
caulking around windows, doors, and joints been
maintained?
- Are
gutters and downspouts intact?
- Is
attic properly ventilated?
- Is
roof decking completely covered, especially at roof
edge?
- Does
roof sag, indicating possible rafter decay?
- Is
paint peeling or blistering?
- Are
decorative and other items attached to the house
likely to admit or trap moisture?
- Is
plumbing, including drains, free of leaks?
- Are
window frames decayed?
- Is
caulking around tubs, sinks, and showers intact?
- Are
floors level? Do spots feel spongy when walked on?
- Is
there evidence of a cracked slab (doors and windows
sagging or sticking-cracked slab (doors and windows
sagging or sticking-cracked walls and masonry)?
- Do
ceilings have water damage?
- If
the house is in a zone of high termite hazard, is
there a structure pest solutions contract on it?
Does the contract include a guarantee?
- Was
the soil under the house treated during construction?
Afterward?
- Has
the soil under additions been treated?
- Are
any termite shelter tubes visible on foundation?
On pipes?
- Does
the crawl space contain stumps or wood debris?
- Are
there small holes in unfurnished wood in the crawl
spaces or elsewhere with powder under them?
- Do
sub-flooring and sills have fungus growth?
- Will
an expert inspect the house for termites or other
structural pest before the sale?
Top
|
