Which Bugs Cause the Most Damage and How to Prevent Them
Bugs are a major annoyance for homeowners. They can also be quite destructive. Not only will your everyday living spaces be subject to their invasion, but your foundation will be at risk as well.
If your foundation is not protected adequately, you may face intrusions from bugs like termites, ants, and/or carpenter bees. It’s important to take immediate action to stop the invasion of these bugs. In this post, we’ll take a look at several ways you can safeguard your foundation and prevent insect damage.
Which Bugs Are Typical Foundation Dwellers?
Certain types of bugs are more likely to be found around the foundation of your home. These include:
1. Termites
Termites are a common problem and a big threat to the integrity of your home’s structure. They enjoy eating wood that is in or around the foundation of your property. You need to quickly intervene and exterminate after discovering a termite infestation.
2. Pillbugs
Pillbugs are typically unlikely to cause direct damage to your home’s foundation. While they will infest the areas around your foundation, they are not likely to cause damage to the wood.
3. Carpenter bees
Female carpenter bees can burrow deep inside of wooden structures for nesting purposes. You should take care of removing these intruders as quickly as possible to protect the safety of your property.
4. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are especially difficult to remove from your home. It’s not impossible to get rid of these pests, but it can take a few weeks for complete removal.
5. Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants are some of the most damaging bugs to the foundation of your home. Similarly to carpenter bees, their destructive effects are a direct result of them burrowing in the wood. Carpenter ants leave fewer obvious signs of destruction compared to termites but the damages can still be quite severe.
How to Protect Your Foundation Against Bugs
Taking adequate preventative measures is the best way to save yourself the time and money that a bug infestation will cost you. This will also help you minimize the risk of facing issues with other pests, such as rats or mice. To protect your foundation and home from these invaders, take the following steps:
Step #1: Seal Gaps & Cracks
Bugs can enter your home through even the tiniest cracks in the foundation and its surrounding components. These gaps also serve as the entry point for excess moisture, which can create favorable living conditions for bugs.
If you find any cracks in your home, such as on the walls or the floors, contact a professional. These cracks could be caused by serious foundation issues. Make sure you don’t overlook areas where a bug infestation could compromise your home’s cabling, A/C, plumbing, or electrical wiring.
Step #2: Keep the Edge of the Foundation Clear
Landscaping can help you protect your property’s foundation. Clear your foundation’s edge of anything that has been lying around there for a while, such as discarded items or plants. Taking the following precautions will help you decrease the risk of facing a bug infestation:
- Assuring that perimeter soil is at least six inches below the brick line or wood.
- Regularly mowing your lawn.
- Trimming plants and shrubs that are close to the edge of your foundation.
- Raking the leaves on a regular basis.
- Refraining from creating a compost pile near to the foundation.
- Not storing any firewood up against your house.
Step #3: Control Moisture Levels
Many bugs and other pests need humid conditions for their survival. Moisture-rich soil surrounding your home are more than likely to entice critters to enter your property. While you can’t change a wet climate, you can take the following steps to control the moisture levels of your home:
- Point your downspouts as far away from your foundation as possible.
- Clean your gutters on a frequent basis.
- Conduct drip or leak checks around your property and fix any issues you find.
- Ensure that land around the foundation is sloped downward for at least eight feet.
- Check out these drainage solutions that can help you preserve the integrity of your foundation.
Step #4: Hire a Professional Pest Prevention Service
Sometimes you need the help of a professional to take fully protect your property. Adding insecticide along the edge of your foundation can significantly decrease the chance of facing bug infestations.
Step #5: Seal Your Crawl Space or Basement (for Pier and Beam Foundations)
You can seal your crawl space or basement walls by using a moisture-resistant barrier on the ground. This will help you to effectively remove excess moisture and decrease the humidity levels of this area. It may also block bugs from accessing your home through your foundation.
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However, it’s important to ensure that there is adequate cross ventilation. Make sure that ventilation screens are intact, as well.
Conclusion
There are many different types of bugs that can invade your home. Some of these can cause a lot of damage to your property, such as termites, carpenter bees, and carpenter ants. The best way to protect your home is to prevent these bugs from entering in the first place. You can accomplish this by:
- Controlling the moisture levels around your foundation
- Getting professional pest prevention services
- Sealing any gaps, holes, and cracks
- Clearing your foundation’s edge of plants, discarded items, excess soil buildup, and debris
- Ensuring drainage is adequate
If you suspect your foundation may be compromised because of insects, contact Granite Foundation Repair today. We can perform a free foundation inspection to help you determine whether or not bugs are damaging your foundation and how to get rid of them.