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Pest Resistant Home

Building Science-to-Sales Translator

Pest Resistant Home

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Technical Description

Insects, rodents, and other pests are more than just a nuisance; they can carry diseases, aggravate allergies, and spread germs. These pests can cause considerable property and structural damage if their activities go undetected for any length of time. There are several steps that builders can take to reduce opportunities for pest intrusion and damage. Wet wood attracts carpenter ants and is easier for animals to gnaw through so it is important to construct the home so that it stays dry or dries out quickly if some components do get wet. In areas with a high likelihood of termite infestation, building codes restrict where and how rigid foam can be installed along the interior and exterior of basement and foundation walls. Although termites don’t eat the foam, they tunnel through it; therefore, its presence can hide their activities from building inspectors. Many of the same activities that builders take to air seal a home, like caulking seams and sealing around pipes and wiring , will also keep out insects. Vent openings and ventilation gaps at the tops and bottoms of walls should be covered with wire mesh.

Alternate Terms

Advanced Pest Protection
Pest Protection System

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.