New construction disturbs the existing landscape, exposes soil, and creates conditions that attract pests. The building process also leaves gaps and entry points that insects and rodents find before you do.
You just moved into a brand-new house and you're already seeing ants, spiders, or mosquitoes. It doesn't seem right. The house is new, and everything is clean. Nothing should be broken or worn. But new construction creates pest problems for reasons that have nothing to do with the age or condition of the building.
Construction sites disturb soil and remove existing vegetation. This alone is enough to displace tons of insects and rodents that were previously living otherwise contentedly. Those displaced pests don’t leave the area. They relocate to the nearest available habitat out of sheer necessity. That often means the house whose construction disturbed their previous habitat.
New landscaping is another factor. Fresh sod, mulch, and plantings create a pest-friendly environment. Mulch holds moisture that attracts ants, beetles, and other ground-dwelling insects. New plantings are irrigated heavily, creating damp conditions that mosquitoes and other moisture-seeking pests are drawn to.
Even a brand new building may have more entry points than you’d think. Utility penetrations, HVAC chases, weep holes in brick facades, and gaps around door and window frames can all be entry points for pests before caulking and sealing are fully completed.
Settling and shifting will also likely happen in the first year or two, and that can open small gaps that weren’t there at move-in. Grading around new construction sometimes creates low spots that hold water after rain, allowing mosquitoes to easily breed in the standing water.
If you're tired of dealing with pests in your new Omaha home, Mosquito Squad of the Omaha Metro can help. Mosquito Squad treats the perimeter, landscaping, and breeding areas around your property, reducing pest populations by up to 90% for 21 days at a time.
