Do you have bugs in and around your foundation? If so, this is something you should probably investigate. It could be totally harmless, or there could be a repair issue that needs to be dealt with before it becomes a major problem that costs thousands to remediate.
Four Bugs Commonly Found Around a Home’s Foundation
Before we discuss some of the ways you can protect your home’s foundation from unwanted bugs and pests, it’s important that we discuss the bugs that are commonly found in this area. Knowing the difference between harmless and harmful is important for every homeowner.
1. PillBugs
Commonly referred to as “rolly pollies” by children, pillbugs are creepy crawlies that roll up into a ball when touched. They prefer to live in moist underground areas, so they are often found in and around home foundations.
Interestingly enough, pillbugs are crustaceans – not insects. Because of this, they breathe through their gills. And while they prefer moist environments to make breathing easier, they cannot survive submerged in water.
The good news for homeowners is that pillbugs are totally harmless! While they can technically damage small plants when present in high numbers, they won’t cause any damage to your home’s foundation or any other wood structures. Just let them be!
2. Carpenter Ants
Another common bug you may find wandering around outside your home is the carpenter ant. Carpenter ants are generally black in color, but can sometimes have reddish or yellowish coloration. They can be rather large – the largest in the United States, in fact – ranging from 3.4 to 13 millimeters in length.
Unfortunately, carpenter ants can be rather destructive. As the name suggests, they love wood (and prefer to reside there). Contrary to popular belief, they don’t eat wood. They do, however, cut passageways into wood to form their nests and make room for movement.
“In natural environments, carpenter ants dwell in both dead and living trees, stumps and rotting logs. However, they may also establish their nests inside of homes and buildings where wood is found,” Orkin explains. “Carpenter ants prefer to establish nests in areas where wood has been exposed to severe moisture.”
3. Carpenter Bees
If we’re going to discuss carpenter ants, we have to mention carpenter bees as well. While it may seem strange that an insect with wings would pose a threat to your home’s submerged foundation, the female bees are to blame. They like to burrow through wood to form their nests and will make use of whatever suitable materials they can find. This includes furniture, decks, and foundations.
Carpenter bees can be difficult to eliminate and often require careful and targeted treatment over a lengthy period of time.
4. Termites
Ah, the dreaded termite. You’ve probably heard all about termites – and may even have a treatment plan in place to prevent and destroy termites around your home – but do you know anything about them?
Termites are tiny little insects that belong to the phylum Arthropoda and order Isoptera. There are more than 2,000 different individual species, but the three major types in the United States are subterranean, dry wood, and damp wood. They range from one-quarter of an inch to half an inch. Termites get their nutrients from cellulose, which is an organic compound found in wood and plant matter. As a result, they enjoy munching on wood found in or near your home’s foundation.
4 Things to Know About Protecting Your Foundation Against Bugs
Now that you’re aware of which bugs are dangerous to your home’s foundation, let’s turn our attention toward the ways in which you can protect your foundation and keep bugs away. (Most of these tips are also helpful in keeping bugs out of your house.)
1. Keep the Edge of Your Foundation Clear
One of the best things you can do to protect your home’s foundation is to keep things away from it. The more wood, plants, and junk you have near your foundation, the more you’re inviting insects in.
Trim shrubs and plants at least a couple of feet back. Never store firewood up against the house. Regularly rake leaves and yard debris up and place it in a compost pile away from the structure. All of these things go a long way in helping you curb the presence of bugs.
2. Eliminate Excess Moisture
Most insects can’t regulate their own body moisture so they seek damp conditions. If the soil surrounding your home’s foundation contains excess moisture, then you’re telling bugs you’re open for business.
While you can’t always do something about excess moisture, you can make sure gutters are clean, downspouts point away from the home, and there are no leaks or drips within your home’s plumbing system.
3. Seal Cracks and Holes
You want to make your home as airtight as possible to keep bugs and other critters out. If you see gaps in siding, windows, doors, crawl space entryways, etc., do something about it. Caulk is often the preferred method of sealing small gaps and holes.
4. Have a Professional Spray Your Home
Sometimes you need to take a proactive approach to keep bugs away from your foundation. This may involve calling a pest professional to spray insecticide along the edge of your foundation and in other problem areas. Having a pest professional come out once or twice a year is a good way to maintain peace of mind.
Contact the Pros at Edens Structural Solutions Today
At Edens Structural Solutions, home foundations are what we do. If you have a problem with your foundation – or merely want a professional opinion on what’s happening – we can help. We’ve been in business for more than 30 years and are committed to helping customers in northeast Oklahoma cities.
For more information on how we can assist you, contact us today. We’ll be happy to provide you with a free evaluation to assess your needs and determine what (if anything) needs to be done to remediate your home foundation issues.
