A renovation changes a lot more than the look of a room. When you open walls, tear out cabinets or dig near the foundation, you disturb places that mice and insects may have been using quietly for years. Homeowners in Livingston planning a kitchen remodel, basement finish or addition should expect a few surprises behind the drywall. The upside is that a renovation is also the best chance you'll get to fix the gaps and moisture problems that let pests in. Below, we'll cover why pests show up during renovations, what to watch for and how to use the project for long-term home pest-proofing.
Why Pests Show Up During Renovations
Pests don't usually arrive because of the renovation. More often, they were already there and the work flushes them out. A few things happen at once:
- Hiding spots get torn out. Mice nesting in a wall cavity or under a cabinet will scatter when that space is opened, and they often move into rooms you haven't touched yet.
- New openings appear. Removed siding, open windows, holes for new pipes and wiring and gaps in the foundation give pests new ways in.
- Doors stay open. Crews moving materials in and out leave doors and garage doors open for hours.
- Food and trash pile up. Lunch scraps, drink cans and dumpsters near the house draw rodents, ants and flies.
- Materials sit outside. Lumber stacked on the ground can collect moisture and pests before it's built into your home.
Hidden Problems Renovations Uncover
Opening walls and floors gives you a look at parts of the house you normally never see. Keep an eye out for:
- Termite damage. Mud tubes on foundation walls or wood that's hollow or layered along the grain.
- Carpenter ant activity. Smooth, clean tunnels in damp wood and piles of fine sawdust-like debris.
- Rodent nests and droppings. Shredded insulation, paper or fabric in wall cavities, with droppings nearby.
- Water damage. Rotted sill plates, stained subfloor or soft framing around old leaks. Damp wood attracts several wood-damaging insects.
If you find something like this, stop and have it looked at before the wall is closed back up. Covering active damage with new drywall only hides the problem. Our guide to carpenter ant damage vs termite damage can help you tell the two apart.
Is It A Health Concern?
Disturbed rodent nests and droppings are worth handling carefully. Don't sweep or vacuum dry droppings, because that can stir up dust. Wet the area first, wear gloves and a mask, and clean with a disinfectant. If you have health concerns about exposure, talk to your doctor. Make sure your contractor's crew knows what they've found, too, so they can take the same care.
How To Keep Pests Out While You Build
- Inspect before you start. A pest inspection before demolition tells you what's already there and where to look.
- Keep the site clean. Ask crews to bag food waste and remove trash daily. Keep dumpsters closed and away from the house.
- Close up at night. Cover open walls, window openings and gaps with plastic sheeting or temporary panels at the end of each day.
- Store lumber off the ground. Keep materials on racks or pallets and covered from rain.
- Watch untouched rooms. Set a few snap traps in nearby rooms if you suspect mice are moving away from the work zone.
Use The Renovation To Pest-Proof
Open walls make it easy to do work that's hard to do later. Before walls and floors close up, consider:
- Sealing gaps around new and existing pipes, wires and vents where they pass through walls and floors.
- Fixing leaks and replacing water-damaged wood so it doesn't keep attracting insects.
- Keeping wood framing and siding from touching soil, and leaving a gap between new mulch beds and the foundation.
- Making sure new decks, porches and additions don't create sheltered, damp spaces close to the house.
Your contractor handles the building work. A pest professional can point out which gaps and conditions matter most so they can be addressed while everything is open.
When To Call A Professional
Call for help before you start if you've had pests in the past, or during the project if you find droppings, nests, mud tubes or damaged wood. It's also worth a call if mice start showing up in rooms that were never a problem before. EcoFusion's NJ DEP-licensed technicians can inspect the work area and the rest of the house, identify active pests and recommend a targeted plan, including sealing entry points with pest-resistant materials so the new space stays pest-free.
Renovations stir things up, but they also open a window to fix problems for good. A little planning before the first wall comes down can keep your Livingston remodel on schedule and free of unwanted guests.