Pest Prevention Construction Guidelines and Practices
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Reprinted with permission from the California Association of School Business Officials. Simmons, S. 2005. Pest Prevention Construction Guidelines and Practices. Journal of School Business Management 70(4): 10-16. Pest Prevention Construction Guidelines and Practices By Sewell Simmons revention is the key to gas lines, and communication cables The following guidelines and prac- effective, least-hazardous generally have large openings that per- tices illustrate the variety of methods pest management pro- mit pest entry. Wall cavities, ceiling cav- that can be used and their value in grams in schools,” advises ities, and the space beneath floors can pest prevention. Sources listed in the Mary-Ann Warmerdam, all provide pest shelter. From these Reference section offer many additional “Pdirector of the Department of Pesticide areas, pests generally have ready access suggestions. Regulation (DPR). to the rest of a building. Utilities, over- “If the conditions that attract and head suspended ceilings, and air condi- Construction Guidelines support pests—the presence of food, tioning ducts provide a very effective and Practices water, shelter, and access—are not elim- pest distribution system. inated, then other management prac- Although pest-resistant building Foundations and Slabs tices are likely to fail,” said Director practices most commonly reduce shelter Exclusion Warmerdam. “Everyone involved in the and access, they can also reduce food • Eliminate gaps or flaws in foundations planning, design, construction, remod- and moisture sources through proper and slabs, or where the wall framing eling or retrofit of school buildings sanitation, reducing trapped moisture, meets the foundation or slab floor; should be aware of the need for long- and improving drainage. • Install physical barriers beneath joints term prevention or suppression of pest While proper construction practices or other discontinuities in the founda- problems. Pest prevention will reduce are the emphasis here, they cannot stand tion. No hidden cold joint should overall costs of pest control operations, alone. A strong preventive maintenance exist in the foundation unless there is as well as other maintenance and oper- program is essential. Poor sanitation or a physical barrier. A sheet metal barri- ating expenses,” she concluded. leaving entryways open will make even er to termites can be installed from A thoroughly integrated approach to the best-designed and constructed build- below the wall sill plate or first block pest management in school buildings ing susceptible to pest problems. Using course horizontally to embed in a begins in the early planning stage. Too the practices discussed below, together mortar joint; often, pest management is not considered with routine inspection and awareness of • Include the design of footings for brick, at this point. The way a building is put potential pest problems, can greatly stone, or other veneers with the other together—including materials, construc- reduce or eliminate the potential for pre-construction foundation planning. tion techniques, and attention to detail— infestations especially when followed by A concrete bearing ledge that is poured will impact future pest prevention efforts responsible maintenance. For more infor- integrally (monolithic) with the con- throughout the life of the building. Con- mation about pest prevention and main- crete foundation should support these sidering pest management needs during tenance go online to www.schoolipm.info heavy veneers. If poured as part of the design, development and construction to the “Managing Pests” link, then to the foundation, the ledge helps prevent ter- means to incorporate features that will “Pest Prevention and Management” link, mite entry into the building between exclude pests, minimize pest habitat, and then “Pest Prevention—Maintenance the footing and the foundation; promote proper sanitation. Practices and Facility Design.” • Use a sand barrier. Use a three-inch Several basic structural features cause layer of sand underneath most pest problems. Many buildings A thoroughly integrated slab construction. Use have pest exclusion problems at door- one to three-millimeter ways and windows. Heating, air condi- approach to pest management particle size in place of tioning, plumbing, electrical service, unsifted sand to provide a and fire sprinklers provide other pest in school buildings begins in permanent termite barrier entry points as well. Even in new build- (western subterranean ings the electrical conduit, water and the early planning stage. and Formosan termites); 10 CASBO JOURNAL JULY/AUGUST 2005 from the crawl space and within one foot of the perimeter of the building. Moisture management • Eliminate sources of chronic moisture in and around the structure. This is one of the most important requirements for successfully managing subterranean ter- mites, carpenter ants, and some wood boring beetles. Good drainage design will help to prevent moisture buildup in and around the structure; • Use moisture barriers. In above- ground foundations, moisture barrier films such as six mil polyethylene can be used to cover the area under the structure. Some builders recommend the use of moisture barriers under slab foundations as well; • Slope all exterior grades away from the structure to provide drainage; • Construct and seal all adjoining com- ponents such as porches and planter boxes to prevent moisture and soil contact with the structure; • Design exterior landscaping to avoid moisture build-up around the founda- tion. Maintain clearance between veg- etation and exterior walls; • Use naturally durable wood or non- cloth to exclude rodents). Be sure to • Align and/or shield sprinkler irriga- wood materials (more information add ventilation, should the material tion heads to direct spray away from accessible on these materials at installation reduce air flow by reduc- the building; and www.mcvicker.com/twd/gwdi97/page ing the square inch of vent space to • Place foundation wall vents to provide 000.htm). The only sure prevention of area ventilated equation below build- cross ventilation for buildings with crawl termite problems is the use of building ing code requirements. A general rule spaces. If regrading or remodeling cover materials other than materials they of thumb is 150 square (sq.) inches of vents, additional vents may be needed. thrive on and enjoy consuming; vent for every 100 sq. feet of under- Facilitate inspection and maintenance • Eliminate all wood-to-soil contact. building coverage. • Provide adequate clearance to allow Soil should always be from six to 18 Harborage reduction access for inspection and control if inches below any wood member — • Avoid burying or storing cellulose- needed. Construct decks, fences, patios, the greater the distance, the better; containing material (wood scraps, planters, or other wooden structural • Extend foundation below ground. form boards, vegetation, stumps, large components that directly abut the side- Good foundations will normally stop dead roots, cardboard, trash, and for- wall of the foundation or structure to rodents from getting into buildings; eign material) near the structure; provide: (a) an 18-inch clearance however, if foundations do not rest on • Prior to concrete placement, remove beneath or, (b) provide for six-inch bedrock, they should extend vertically all cellulose-containing material from clearance between the top of the com- below ground at least three feet or the area encompassed by the founda- ponent and the exterior wall covering have an L-shaped curtain wall about tion and the area within one foot of its or, (c) have components that are easily two feet deep with a one-foot projec- perimeter. The fill material should be removable by screws or hinges to allow tion from the building; free of vegetation and foreign material; access for inspection of the foundation • Modify foundations on older build- • Prior to concrete placement, clean all sidewall and treatment for termites. ings with concrete or non-corrosive cellulose-containing material from cells metal barriers to stop rodents from and cavities in masonry units, and Floors digging their way in; and from air gaps between brick, stone, or Exclusion • Check foundation vents to make sure masonry veneers and the structure; and • Eliminate gaps around floor joists. they are tight and appropriately • After all foundation work is complet- Floor joists should be built in or fitted screened (one-quarter inch hardware ed, remove all loose wood and debris onto joist hangers. CASBO JOURNAL JULY/AUGUST 2005 11 Facilitate sanitation/harborage may hide. Dead spaces include double Facilitate inspection and maintenance reduction walls, false ceilings, enclosed staircas- • Build in inspection and maintenance • Build floors to be durable, non- es, boxed plumbing, and voids (false access. Suspended ceilings are helpful absorbent, anti-slip, without crevices, bottoms) under cabinets. in hiding horizontal pipe work and and capable of being effectively Harborage reduction services but access for inspection for cleaned. If concrete is used it must be • Do not use wall coverings that provide pests and maintenance must be built steel-float finished and sealed. Slope insect harborage. Do not install peg- in. Structural walkways should always floors sufficiently for liquids to drain board in kitchens, or other food service be provided in large premises. to trapped gullies or drainpipes. The areas, animal rooms, or laboratories. Utility Entry Points floor