I have been using your products for over 20 yrs and you always do me right. I’m in construction and you helped with termites, ants roaches fleas and more. But what I can’t seem to figure out is how some of my homes get bugs coming out of baseboards and then others have them coming out of the ceiling? Is it just random? And some are going after food, like the roaches and ants but then others like silverfish or red mites just show up all over. And then those little buggers I think are springtails or lice, they come out of baseboards. I have noticed this happens most when I build a slab. And we even find them when building homes, like on the pallet or the wood we use so we try to kill them during construction. But they just seem to appear. I guess what I’m wondering is if there is a way I can change something when building my houses to stop them? Any kind of siding or technique you know about? I have asked when visiting trade shows and when talking to other builders. But as much as we all try, it just seems impossible to stop bugs in many cases. Whats your thoughts on this? Are there certain key areas you know are vulnerable that we can shore up somehow?
Excellent observations and many of the points you make are spot on what we know happens.
So to start, if you build where its muggy and moist, there will always be a chance of bugs being delivered with your raw materials. We know this happens with wood flooring mostly but even standard grade 2×4’s or other structural members can arrive infested. Be sure to give them the once over before using them and if you find anything questionable? Take pics and ask us or don’t use the material. We discuss this type of “built in” problem here:
Now onto some other patterns we clearly see.
The first has to do with homes built on slabs. For sure they are most vulnerable and why we advise not buying a slab home if springtails are a major concern (we advise potential house buyers so please don’t hate on us for pointing this out!).
The second thing we strongly advise is to not cover your home with vinyl. This is by far the most likely siding to house most any insect. Brick is definitely the least pest attracting and when fitted with an unfinished basement? THE EASIEST HOUSE TO KEEP PEST FREE!
But is there a way to build these types of homes to make them pest proof? Not that we know about. Of course spraying all the structural members with MAXXTHOR EC can keep pests off the wood and from moving into these hidden areas after construction. And this definitely lasts so it might be something you can employ to help minimize early development in any new home.
What we also have found is that if a home has siding like vinyl, aluminum, cedar shakes, stucco – pretty much anything other than brick – pests will get up behind it and from there, get into wall voids which all lead to points of exit into the home like baseboards. And this is why BASEBOARDS, WINDOWS and DOORS are where most all pests end up entering homes. And don’t forget about GUTTERS. They are super vulnerable. Most all insects will get on your roof from leaf litter – especially if you have trees that are taller than your home. And so when spraying, it’s super important to get your gutters sprayed just as much as you might be spraying the base of your foundation. Pests around gutters will enter behind fascia boards and from there, get into the attic and under the insulation. This is how silverfish and springtails get a foothold in ATTICS and from there, will start dropping down from ceilings.
In summary, the evidence shows the homes most likely to avoid having pest issues will be brick sided with unfinished basements.
So if you have to acquire a home on a slab with vinyl siding? Be sure to POWER INJECT the siding and spray the gutters just as often as you spray around the home.
Also, most any home that is being treated properly with our recommended list of products can be kept pest free so we’re not saying they can’t be managed. We’re just letting you know that certain structures “lend” themselves to developing pest problems more so than other designs because of these “conditions conducive”.
Hope this helps!
Tech Support
Team Bugspray.com
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