I’m in the process of building a new house using hemp. I have big blocks, like cinder blocks to use for the foundation. I also have a range of hemp for insulation and outer walls. I recently had a batch of material delivered and it had different bugs in it and so now I’m a bit worried. Will my house be subject to bugs? What I can I spray to protect it or at least keep bugs from eating it? They did some damage quickly. Not as fast as termites do in the cartoons I see on TV lol but they were definitely eating it or shredding it because there were grooves in the blocks.
So first, any structure made with natural components (like wood) will be subject to insect attack. For example, even though traditional homes are typically covered with many synthetic pieces (like paint, plastic, composite, etc.), they still get termites, powderpost beetles and other wood boring pests. Any standard 2×4 is still all natural and the most common structural material being used. They can get insects as mother nature will attempt to recycle it. That said, homes constructed with less “dense” material like hemp, pine straw or all softwood (like pine log cabins) will attract an wider range of pests. This can be challenging for the home owner BUT you have options to both protect and prevent pest damage.
The simplest option is to repel them using PEST AWAY. This all natural concentrate will chase away insects and can be used on your hemp blocks and exterior siding to repel unwanted guests. Unfortunately it won’t last but 30-60 days when sprayed out in the open BUT if you saturate the ground where the blocks will be in contact with soil, treatments will probably last at least 1-2 years. We’re not 100% sure because we haven’t tested it BUT we have heard from customers who used it and were wondering when they should retreat. They reported they didn’t have any bugs and could still smell it in the ground after a year so we advised them to spray again when they notice the scent is mostly gone.
The second option would be MAXXTHOR EC. This is a true insecticide and so it will both kill and repel insects. Use it like we detail in our TERMITE CONTROL article. As you’ll see, it can be mixed up in 5 gallon pails and then poured into trenches around the home. Like Pest Away, we recommend you saturate the soil where the hemp blocks will be seated to keep them pest free (treatments will last 3-5 years at least).
We then advise spraying the home’s siding every month or two as part of a regular maintenance program. Keep in mind Maxxthor will kill insects you spray BUT once dry, most anything will avoid where its been applied because they can sense it.
We also advise using BOOST with the Maxxthor to help treatments last longer.
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