You’re probably familiar with strategies to get rid of pests in your home, but did you know unwanted visitors can get into your home before you even have a chance to move in? The good news is, you can take charge.

It starts with the design. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health recognizes the damage pests can bring into homes, and recommends ways to prevent animals from being attracted to a home from the start, emphasizing three main areas for builders and architects to pay attention to:

Drainage: use suitable pest-proofed drainage systems which can withstand gnawing, and which make it difficult for animals, such as rats, to enter from the sewer.

Entry points: cracks and gaps in floors, walls, attics, and ceilings or around windows must be tightly sealed. Mice can squeeze into holes the size of a dime, so ensuring the smallest gaps are sealed is important.

External structures: windows, ledges, flat roofs and roof edges should be designed to prevent animals from roosting or gaining easy access to the roof.

New Construction

When new homes are constructed, they are often built on land that has been recently cleared. Although the land may have been cleared of trees and growth, it hasn’t always been cleared of pests. Critters that have lived in those woods may be reluctant to leave and consider the new homes as a new place to dwell. Food and trash left at construction sites encourages animals to venture closer, and some critters may even be brought into new homes while hiding in the building materials.

Builders are wise to be on the lookout for any sign of pests during the construction process. If you are having a home built, it may be beneficial to have a pest control inspection before closing on the home, rather than waiting until afterward.

Existing Construction

Most pest control problems occur in existing homes. As houses age, cracks and crevices allow critters to enter.  Gaps in the foundation let animals squeeze in. Periodically examine your home from top to bottom and address these vulnerabilities.

Beyond Your Home

One way to keep animals from getting into your house is by discouraging them from coming into your yard. Homes with a lot of vegetation can serve as an invitation to animals. Houses with tall trees or bushes allow squirrels and other rodents to climb and gain access to the roof. Bird feeders, garbage cans and pet food left out entice animals to come closer to your back door. Be sure to remove these temptations so your home is less attractive to critters.

Concerned about critters in new construction or in an existing home? As experts in wildlife control, we rid your home of critters, and provide cleanup and remediation services. Please call us at Critter Control of the Triangle at 919-382-0651 in Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary NC and the Triangle, Wake County area.