New Bern's rich history means it has many beautiful, centuries-old homes, often featuring basements or crawl spaces, which present unique challenges for pest control. These older structures can have deteriorating foundations, porous brick, and unsealed utility entry points that pests exploit. Newer builds, while constructed to modern standards, still contend with the coastal region's high humidity and pest pressure, finding vulnerabilities around plumbing and landscaping.
Cockroaches: The warm, humid climate of New Bern creates an ideal environment for various cockroach species, including German and American roaches. German cockroaches rapidly infest kitchens and bathrooms, contaminating food surfaces. American cockroaches, often originating from sewers, storm drains, or damp basements, invade through foundation cracks and plumbing voids. Their presence signifies potential unsanitary conditions.
Termites: New Bern, situated in a high-risk termite zone along the coast, faces persistent pressure from subterranean termites. These destructive pests silently consume wooden structures, often causing extensive damage before detection. Historic homes with extensive wooden frameworks and crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable, providing termites direct access from the soil to the wooden components. Regular, professional inspections are paramount.
Common Questions
How does the historic architecture in New Bern impact pest entry and control?
New Bern's historic architecture, with features like older wooden structures, brick foundations, and accessible crawl spaces, offers numerous entry points for pests. Managing pests requires understanding these unique vulnerabilities, often involving sealing gaps in older materials and addressing moisture issues common in historic basements.
What should New Bern residents do if they suspect termites in their historic wooden structures?
If New Bern residents suspect termites in historic wooden structures, they should immediately contact a professional pest control service specializing in termite inspections. Avoid disturbing mud tubes or treating them yourself, as this can drive termites deeper into the structure and make professional treatment more difficult.
Protect your New Bern home. Request a pest control inspection!