Buying or building a new home is exciting—everything feels clean, sealed, and worry-free. But here’s the surprise for many homeowners: new construction homes can attract pests quickly, sometimes even before you move in. Between exposed building materials, disturbed soil, and open entry points during the build, pests can move in early and settle fast.
This guide from APlus Pest Control explains why new builds are vulnerable and how to protect your investment with smart, proactive pest control for new construction homes.
Why pests target new construction homes
Even though your home is brand new, the construction process creates ideal conditions for pests:
- Soil disturbance can push insects like ants and other crawling pests toward new structures
- Construction gaps around plumbing, wiring, weep holes, and framing can become easy entry points
- Moisture and humidity (new lumber, curing concrete, irrigation, landscaping) can attract insects
- Stored materials like cardboard, wood, and debris provide temporary shelter
- Fresh landscaping (mulch, sod, shrubs) can bring pests closer to the foundation
In short: new homes may not have a “history” of pests, but they often have perfect conditions for pests to start one.
Common pests in and around new builds
New construction homes commonly see early activity from:
- Ants (including nuisance ants and sometimes carpenter ants if moisture/wood is present)
- Spiders (often following other insects)
- Cockroaches (attracted to moisture and hidden harborage areas)
- Rodents (garages, attics, and wall voids can be inviting as temperatures shift)
- Occasional invaders like beetles and other seasonal pests that slip in through small gaps
If you’re noticing pests shortly after move-in, it doesn’t mean the home was poorly built—it usually means it needs a proper protection plan.
The best time to start pest control: before you move in
The most effective pest control happens early, when colonies and nesting sites aren’t fully established. Ideally, new construction pest control includes:
1) Perimeter protection
A professional barrier treatment around the exterior foundation helps reduce the pests that try to enter first.
2) Targeted entry-point defense
Key areas often need attention even in new builds:
- Around utility penetrations (pipes, AC lines, cable)
- Garage door corners and seals
- Weep holes, siding gaps, and trim joints
- Attic and crawl space access points
3) Monitoring + follow-up
New neighborhoods and fresh landscaping can cause pest pressure to change seasonally. A plan with routine service helps prevent small issues from becoming infestations.
Practical prevention tips for homeowners in new construction
To support professional treatment, these simple habits help keep pests away:
- Keep mulch from touching siding; maintain a small “clear zone” near the foundation
- Address drainage and moisture early (downspouts, irrigation overspray, standing water)
- Store moving boxes off the floor and avoid long-term cardboard storage in garages
- Keep food sealed and clean crumbs quickly—pests settle in fast once food is reliable
- Check weather stripping and add a door sweep if you see light under exterior doors
Why choose APlus Pest Control for new construction pest control
APlus Pest Control helps homeowners protect their new builds with a prevention-first approach—focused on reducing pest pressure before it becomes a recurring headache. If you’re seeing ants, spiders, roaches, or rodents in a new home (or you simply want peace of mind), a proactive plan can help:
- Reduce pest entry and indoor sightings
- Protect the home’s most vulnerable areas (foundation, garage, attic)
- Prevent seasonal spikes in pest activity
- Save time and money compared to reacting after an infestation spreads
Ready to protect your new home?
If you’ve recently moved into a new build—or you’re closing soon—APlus Pest Control can help you set up reliable, ongoing protection. The sooner you start, the easier it is to keep your home pest-free from day one.