If you’re like so many other property owners, you devote a lot of time, effort, money, and thinking to your house, which is your single largest investment. You know better than anyone else that there is still work to be done before your house achieves its full potential, but with a little bit of sweat, blood, and hopefully no tears, one weekend at a time, you are getting closer to realizing your dream.

The problem is that you aren’t only hindered by a lack of resources. Pests can compromise the quality and longevity of the house renovations you’ve worked so hard to accomplish more than you may think. Pests aren’t only an annoyance; many of them may be quite harmful. 

Want to safeguard your hard work and the structural integrity of your house now and in the future? Continue reading to find out how your house may be susceptible to pests like insects and rats, as well as what you can do to halt these dangers in their tracks.

Generations of do-it-yourselfers have continued to build decks because they recognize not just the short-term benefits to lifestyle but also the long-term implications on property value. But keep in mind: Even though it may be thrilling to drive the last nail, your deck’s lifetime and continual upkeep begin on the day of installation.

Remember that pests are attracted to your deck, especially wood-boring and wood-destroying insects like termites and carpenter bees. Make sure to use use lumber that has been prepared to prevent pests when building your deck to guarantee that it can withstand the threat. Remember to routinely refinish the deck as time goes on to avoid leaving any exposed bare wood.

Wood stoves and fireplaces are continuously sought-after fixtures among house purchasers and among remodelers due to the comfort of flickering flames on a stormy night. The construction of your home, your design objectives, and your functional requirements all have an impact on the installation requirements. Regardless of your strategy, you’ll likely need to build a stovepipe or flue—a smoke exit—in your home.

Making sure that this exit does not serve as a pest entry is the secret. Fortunately, preventing these little invaders from entering is as easy as putting a chimney cover. Once installed, a chimney cap maintains the exhaust path free, enabling the hazardous combustion byproducts to exit outside without allowing anything else to enter.

The toughest (and riskiest) electrical work should be left to the experts, but there are many simple jobs and repairs that skilled homeowners may safely complete. But when you do it yourself, you miss out on the hard-earned experience and astute eye of a pro. 

Rodents provide a concern that extends well beyond the pantry shelves, as electricians are well aware of. In fact, some estimates suggest that four-legged pests may be to blame for up to 25% of home fires that are officially classified as being of unknown origin. To alleviate worries, work with a pest professional to find and seal any breaches or openings that could be allowing trespassing rodents access to your property.

The fundamental steps in completing a basement—framing out walls, installing drywall, and laying down floors—tend to be do-it-yourself projects. However, this is a project with a lengthy list of tasks. Your basement won’t be constructed in a day, much like Rome, even if you employ a contractor to do the chores that are outside your area of expertise.

 Avoid letting bugs ruin the fruits of your weeks or months of effort! Make sure to check the external foundation walls as a precaution, whether doing it alone or in cooperation with a pest control expert. Be quick to fix any holes or cover any gaps if you detect any. Only then can you say that termites and other wood-eating insects won’t be able to get into your basement.

A roof replacement is not a task for the weak of heart or the recklessly daring. Because of the significant hazards involved in working so far above the ground, many homeowners choose to outsource the project. Others take on the endeavor despite knowing the risks because they are confident in their abilities. 

A new roof should survive for decades regardless of whether it was installed professionally or by a do-it-yourselfer—if damaging bugs don’t shorten its lifespan. Keep in mind that termites and carpenter ants might use any branches that are close to the roof as a bridge. Trimming back any overgrown trees is crucial if you want a durable, trouble-free roof in the long run.

Major appliances are normally quite expensive, however you may install an appliance yourself and save money if the product warranty doesn’t forbid it. Any appliance installation should be done cautiously, but installing a clothes dryer requires extra attention. This is why: The exhaust from a dryer is sent through a duct and out an outside vent. If you don’t take precautions, rodents and insects may use this vent as a means of entry.

Make that the vent has a damper, which opens to allow air to escape and then closes to prevent pests. Caulk the vent’s perimeter or use steel wool where the vent cover meets the siding to offer an extra layer of security.

You promptly brought out the extension ladder and set to work as soon as it was time to replace or fix your old gutters. Well done! However, if you haven’t touched your gutters since then, you can have unintentionally created the ideal sanctuary for pests of all kinds. After example, if leaves and other debris aren’t frequently removed, gutters will eventually clog. 

From there, it won’t take long for storm water to pool and stagnate, acting as a beacon and a haven for mosquitoes and other insects, some of which can really do serious damage to your property. It’s important to maintain your gutters clean, no matter how much you may detest the work. You’re tempting fate if you don’t.