Skip to main content
Building Science-to-Sales Translator

Biological Contaminant Control

Image(s)

Technical Description

Many of the same steps used to air seal and flash a home also help prevent pest intrusion. A pest-resistant home includes measures such as caulking and sealing of all seams and holes in the foundation, walls, and roof; properly grading the site to drain water away from the home; providing adequate space between wood and siding and the ground to help minimize pathways for infestation; flashing the sill plate to help block termite migration; using finishing materials pests can’t eat such as  cement-fiber cladding, stone, or brick; covering all vents except for the clothes dryer with insect screening to help keep out larger pests; and installing irrigation and landscaping away from foundation walls. Non-vented crawlspaces and attics provide fewer potential entry points than their vented counterparts.

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.