Question: I am building a new home, it will be a conventional concrete slab with brick siding. Do I need to pretreat the slab or do anything during construction to prevent future pests?

ANSWER: Treating houses during construction, when the foundation and the soil and/or gravel that forms the bed of future concrete slabs are exposed, is the best time to apply chemical protection against subterranean termites. The foundation block and the footing for the block or poured concrete wall are treated on the outside and inside. Sometimes the wood sill plate and joists for the flooring are treated (usually with a different insecticide).

This treatment is called ”pretreatment” by pest control operators and is done routinely by professional companies. It will need scheduling in advance. There may be a second treatment when the foundation has been back-filled and the final soil grading has been made. It is best for a professional company to do this treating, since it requires special application equipment and a large quantity of liquid termiticide.

Read more about termites and Orkin termite control