IPM Building DesignIPM Building Design

Frank Meek, BCEFrank Meek, BCETechnical DirectorTechnical Director

Paul HardyPaul HardySr. Technical DirectorSr. Technical Director

Can You Really Be Pest Can You Really Be Pest Proof?Proof?

Complete pest proofing may seem Complete pest proofing may seem impossibleimpossible

As long as people and products cross As long as people and products cross the threshold, pest can come inthe threshold, pest can come in

Idea is to make the building less Idea is to make the building less attractive to pestattractive to pest

What Attracts Pest?What Attracts Pest?

Most pest are drawn to heat, light, Most pest are drawn to heat, light, smells or combinationssmells or combinations

Conducive conditionsConducive conditions HarborageHarborage FoodFood WaterWater

OdorsOdors

Refuse managementRefuse management Air flow Air flow

HVACHVAC FansFans DoorsDoors

SealingSealing

LightLight

Type of lightType of light Sodium Vapor vs. Mercury VaporSodium Vapor vs. Mercury Vapor

Direct vs. IndirectDirect vs. Indirect

HeatHeat

The entire building is going to give a The entire building is going to give a different heat signature than the different heat signature than the surroundingssurroundings

No way to avoidNo way to avoid

Conducive ConditionsConducive Conditions

Ground coverGround cover LandscapedLandscaped Man madeMan made

Condensation dripsCondensation drips DrainageDrainage Food sourceFood source

Other insectsOther insects RefuseRefuse

Once They ArriveOnce They Arrive

Given that heat and light are Given that heat and light are normally unavoidable, when the pest normally unavoidable, when the pest arrive we must prevent entryarrive we must prevent entry

How Do Pest Enter?How Do Pest Enter?

IslandsIslands BridgesBridges PortagePortage

HolesHoles

BridgesBridges

Power linesPower lines Other utilitiesOther utilities

VisibleVisible InvisibleInvisible

Load in / outsLoad in / outs

PortagePortage

People carry pest in with themPeople carry pest in with them EmployeesEmployees Visitors / GuestVisitors / Guest

Incoming goodsIncoming goods

HolesHoles

How much space is really needed for How much space is really needed for pest entry?pest entry? Mice need only ¼ inch to get accessMice need only ¼ inch to get access Rats need only about ½ inch Rats need only about ½ inch Roaches need as little as 1/64 inchRoaches need as little as 1/64 inch Termites only 1/32 inch (the thickness of Termites only 1/32 inch (the thickness of

a business card)a business card)

New HolesNew Holes

If they can chew it, they can get If they can chew it, they can get through it.through it.

If a rodent can get its teeth on the If a rodent can get its teeth on the surface they can violate it. Not many surface they can violate it. Not many substrates are immune to the sharp substrates are immune to the sharp teeth of the rodent.teeth of the rodent.

SurfacesSurfaces

In order to be somewhat resilient to In order to be somewhat resilient to rodents a surface should be as rodents a surface should be as smooth as possible and kept in good smooth as possible and kept in good repair. That also means the material repair. That also means the material chosen for construction is durable chosen for construction is durable and easy to maintain.and easy to maintain.

Now for TermitesNow for Termites

Critical Areas For Termite IntrusionCritical Areas For Termite Intrusion

OutdoorOutdoor Sunken window wellsSunken window wells Poorly drained or constantly moist areas in landscape Poorly drained or constantly moist areas in landscape

around the structurearound the structure Fence post attached to the structureFence post attached to the structure Tree stumpsTree stumps Air conditioner evaporation drain lines next to foundationAir conditioner evaporation drain lines next to foundation Exterior planter boxes connected to the structureExterior planter boxes connected to the structure Firewood stacked next to the structure and on the groundFirewood stacked next to the structure and on the ground Landscape timbers in contact with the structureLandscape timbers in contact with the structure Lattice in ground contact around porches and decksLattice in ground contact around porches and decks

Laundry room water source and pipe entries Laundry room water source and pipe entries Utility room pipe entriesUtility room pipe entries Deck post in ground contactDeck post in ground contact Deck timber in ground contact or not Deck timber in ground contact or not

allowing access for inspection and treatmentallowing access for inspection and treatment Wood steps in ground contactWood steps in ground contact Support timber in ground contactSupport timber in ground contact Concrete expansion joint material left in Concrete expansion joint material left in

placeplace Sprinkler heads leaking close to structure Sprinkler heads leaking close to structure

foundationfoundation Sprinkler spraying toward structureSprinkler spraying toward structure

Sprinkler heads close to structure back Sprinkler heads close to structure back spraying on structurespraying on structure

Wood crawl access frame and door in ground Wood crawl access frame and door in ground contactcontact

Dead tree roots next to structure foundationDead tree roots next to structure foundation Dead plants close to structureDead plants close to structure Shrubbery close to the structure, need a Shrubbery close to the structure, need a

minimum 12 inches clearanceminimum 12 inches clearance Plants growing on structure: ivy, roses, etc.Plants growing on structure: ivy, roses, etc. Ornamentals touching structure foundation , Ornamentals touching structure foundation ,

walls or roof walls or roof

IndoorsIndoors Foundation penetrated by utility service: gas, electric, Foundation penetrated by utility service: gas, electric,

water, drains, etc.water, drains, etc. Settlement (shrinkage) cracksSettlement (shrinkage) cracks Expansion joints Expansion joints Plumbing inspection access (bath traps) - install Plumbing inspection access (bath traps) - install

during constructionduring construction Interior raised slab expansion jointsInterior raised slab expansion joints Adjoining slabsAdjoining slabs Interior drop slabs expansion jointsInterior drop slabs expansion joints Addition to main structure foundation walls and Addition to main structure foundation walls and

expansion jointsexpansion joints

Chimney hearth on slab construction generally Chimney hearth on slab construction generally there is a expansion joint under and behind itthere is a expansion joint under and behind it

Interior planter boxesInterior planter boxes Form boards under suspended porchesForm boards under suspended porches Wood support timber in crawl space in or near Wood support timber in crawl space in or near

ground contactground contact Wood-to-ground contact in crawl spaceWood-to-ground contact in crawl space Form boards in crawlForm boards in crawl Cellulose debris on ground in crawl spaceCellulose debris on ground in crawl space Adequate crawl space ventilation or sealed Adequate crawl space ventilation or sealed

according to building code according to building code Sump pumps not maintained Sump pumps not maintained Dehumidifier not functioning properlyDehumidifier not functioning properly

SlabsSlabs

Monolithic with post tension support Monolithic with post tension support to reduce stress cracksto reduce stress cracks

BUT!!!

GradingGrading

Proper grading is to make the Proper grading is to make the structure higher than the structure higher than the surrounding groundssurrounding grounds

Questions?Questions?

Frank MeekFrank Meek

404-888-2898404-888-2898

fmeek@rollins.comfmeek@rollins.com

Paul HardyPaul Hardy

404-888-2617404-888-2617

phardy@rollins.comphardy@rollins.com