Working in the pest control industry, we get a lot of questions about the conditions that can create a breeding ground for termites. One of the most common questions we get about termites is: Can you get termites in new home construction? Similarly, people also often ask: Can you get termites in a new home? The answer is yes. It is possible to have termites in a new construction project, and it is also possible to have termites in a new home. How? Let’s explain.
Termite Infestations in New Homes or New Construction
Yes, it is possible to have termites in new construction or in a new home. Termites are not limited to old or rotten wood, they are just as happy consuming brand new wooden studs or foundations in new construction and homes. There are a lot of different variables that can cause termite infestation in new homes and construction.
The wood used in the construction may be perfectly fine and free of termites, as other conditions can cause an infestation. For example, certain types of soil or ground around the new construction can have termites in them that then infest the new home or construction site. Mulch, for example, is a common culprit. Sometimes, large chuck single-shred wooden mulch can have termites in the pieces of wood. When spread around a new home, the termites can then leave the mulch and find their way into the wood of the new home, infesting it.
Wood-ground contact can also cause termite infestation. If the wood of the home or building is in close contact with the surrounding ground or soil, it is possible that termites can leave the soil around the new construction and find their way into the wood. At the end of the day, even if the contractor or builder does everything right, it is still possible that termites can find themselves into a new home or new construction. To quote Jurassic Park: “life finds a way.”
Common Signs of a Termite Infestation in New Home Construction
Though termites can be difficult to identify to the untrained eye, there are some common signs of an infestation that you can look out for as a property owner:
- Keep an eye out for termite damage on baseboards or wooden areas. This can often look like “bubbling” or “peeling” of the outer layers of wood. Take a look at the following example of termite damage in a wooden beam:
- The presence of “mud tubes” running up walls on the exterior or interior, through gaps in the foundation, door jambs, and other wooden areas, particularly those close to the outdoors.
- Wood that sounds hollow when you tap or knock on it, or peels away easily
- Wood that looks paper-thin or has multiple layers of paper-like sheets, possibly almost coming off of the wood itself
What To Do About Termites in a New Home
If any of the above symptoms of a termite infestation sound familiar, call our Clegg’s Pest Control team right away. You may be tempted to try and fix your termite problem by yourself, but wood-destroying insects and other destructive pests are best left to the professionals. Don’t let the infestation worsen and the damage to your property increase, call us at (888) MRCLEGG or contact us online to request your termite inspection. Also, ask our team members about our termite treatment payment plans and financing options if you are looking to fit treatment into a tight construction budget.
