Pest control is hard enough under the best of circumstances, but when your home is under construction, it’s even harder to manage. Remodeling often means your doors and windows will be open or even removed to allow for access, work, or ventilation. Meanwhile, contractors may be coming in and out with equipment. Unfortunately, this also means easy access for bugs and other pests. If you plan on having some work done on your house, here are three tactics that will help keep pests out during the project. 

How to Manage Pest Control During Home Renovations 

1. Set Traps

With open access to your house and potential piles of debris around your property, your house is at risk of becoming a hot spot for pests on your block. Before the project even begins, grab some pest traps to set around the inside and outside of your home. Consider traps for rodents as well as commercially bought or homemade insect traps. Place them around the outside of your home to stop critters from getting inside, then place a few inside your home for good measure. Make sure you place the traps where kids and pets can’t get to them.

2. Keep the Site Clean

Wood shavings and sawdust on the ground, woodpiles, and other debris lying about attracts insects, spiders, and pests to your home. Though it may not be practical to clean as the project is ongoing—especially if contractors are doing the work—it’s important to not let the mess sit for any length of time. If you’re the one doing the work, you can easily practice pest control by sweeping up after each task and throwing debris directly into the trash. Go through the area at the end of the day and tidy up to prevent insects and pests, many of which are nocturnal, from setting up camp before morning. 

3. Close Off Access Points

Granted, this is easier said than done during construction, but every bit of effort helps. Remind those coming in and out of the home to close the doors behind them. The fewer chances pests have to get in, the better. If you don’t have screens on your windows, install some before work begins if you can. There’s a chance that some of the work will create dust and your home will need to be ventilated. Screens allow you to do that without inviting bugs inside. 

One of the best ways to keep pests out of your home during a remodel is with the help of a professional pest control company. If you live in or near Cookeville, TN, Midstate Termite & Pest Control can inspect and spray your property before the work even starts to keep bugs at bay. Visit them online to see their full list of products and services or call them today at (877) 526-4222 to schedule an appointment.