How to Control Pests During a Commercial Renovation

At some point, businesses will undergo a renovation and don’t realize the dark secret behind any remodeling project, not budgeting problems but rather PESTS! During any remodeling project, you’re laying down a welcome mat for insects and rodents. Not only are pests a nuisance, but they can also cause property damage leading to a costlier renovation than planned.

With any business construction project, it’s important to follow these tips to keep your renovation running smoothly.

Before Renovation

1. Have a pest management professional do a thorough inspection before you start renovating. They will be able to tell you if you have any pests present before you start the construction project.
2. Talk to your pest professional about what pests are a problem in the area. Ask what pests are commonly found, and what the most common pest is that season.
3. If demolition is planned, especially on structures that that may have been vacant, pre-demolition treatments can be performed to prevent spreading rodents when demolition occurs. This is required by law in some areas.
4. Discuss exterior lighting installation strategies with your pest management professional to greatly reduce the attractiveness of the building to many insect species.
5. Consider having the construction site pre-treated for wood destroying insects like carpenter ants and
   termites. Durable, environmentally conscious treatments can be applied to areas that will not be accessible for treatment later when construction is completed providing superior long-term control.
6. Avoid wood to ground contact. This will make it harder for termites or other wood destroying insects to take advantage of these vulnerable areas.
7. If possible, avoid cellulose building materials. Cellulose materials are made of wood in some shape or form and add as a food source for termites.
8. Rodent bait stations and insect traps can be installed to aid in reducing populations of these pests prior to construction.
9. Treatments may be applied to the exterior that will aid in reducing insect pressure before opening the building for construction.

During Renovation

When construction and renovation begin, your property can become even more susceptible to pests. Your site will become a heaven to pests such as termites, ants, and mice. This is why it is important to take note of the following measures to help prevent an infestation from happening.

1. You will want to work with the pest management professionals that you have hired to set up additional traps. These traps will be set up around key entry points to the building site and near building materials. They will be baited to attract pests that might want to enter.
2. You will want to make sure that your property or the building site is properly graded. This means that the water will flow away from the new structure or site. Many pests are attracted to water, so if water is minimized so are the pests.
3. Always make sure your site is clean. Make sure food, trash, and wood debris are always picked up. You will want to dispose of waste properly as waste acts as a food and or shelter for many pests.
4. It is advisable to consult a pest management professional prior to completion of renovations to identify small gaps and crevices that may allow rodents and insect pests into structures. These should then be sealed by your contractor prior to accepting the work on the final walkthrough.
5. Lastly, make sure that any doors and windows are properly closed and sealed. If necessary install screens to ensure bugs, pests, or larger animals are not able to enter the property.

After Renovation

It is important to take preventative measures to avoid pests on your newly renovated property. Here are a few more items that could help you avoid pests.

1. You may want to install sodium vapor lights. These lights are less attractive to flying insects. Halogen and LED lighting can be very attractive to insects. Placement and type of lighting can be recommended by a pest management professional to reduce pest pressure.
2. After the renovation, during landscaping phase, avoid planting plants too close to entrance ways. Consider placing the plants three feet. Having the plants to close to an entrance way can make it easier for insects to enter.
3. When installing windows and doors, make sure they are tight as possible against the frame. Use weather stripping, door sweeps, and screens to avoid openings.
4. Work with a pest management professional to create a plan for employees. This plan should include best sanitation practices, behavioral practices and what to do when they see pest activity.

There are many ways to avoid pests before renovations during and after renovations. At Viking Pest, we can work with property managers and business owners to create a personalized plan for any renovation as no two sites are the same. If you like further information, please call 1-800-618-2847 or view our commercial pest control services to learn more.