Protecting Your Home From Pests During Renovation

Renovation disturbs hiding places and opens new gaps.

Plan for pests.

The short answer

During renovation, seal openings, protect food and belongings, manage dust and waste, keep stored materials off the floor and away from walls, store wood away from damp, monitor for new pests and ask contractors to keep the site tidy. Inspect when walls and floors are open.

Do

1. Seal food and belongings.
2. Remove waste daily.
3. Keep materials off floors.
4. Inspect open walls and floors.
5. Fix gaps before closing up.

Watch for

• Termite signs in exposed wood.
• Rodent entry through opened areas.
• Cockroaches displaced from walls.

When to call a professional

If the problem is widespread, keeps returning or you are unsure what you are dealing with, a professional inspection will save time and avoid wasted effort.

Frequently asked questions

Do renovations cause infestations?

They can disturb them.

Should I pre-treat?

Yes, ideally.

Who is responsible?

Agree with contractors.

When to inspect?

During and after.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on pest control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full pest control guide for Bangalore.