If you live in New York City, you’ve probably noticed the constant sound of construction. From new apartment buildings to subway repairs, the city is always changing. While construction can bring growth and opportunity, it can also bring an unwanted problem—pests.
Rodents, cockroaches, and other insects often live in underground tunnels, old walls, and abandoned lots. When construction crews dig, drill, and tear down old structures, pests lose their homes. That’s when they often make their way into nearby homes, restaurants, and businesses. Understanding how construction affects pest activity can help you protect your property before a small problem turns into a serious infestation.
Why Construction Increases Pest Problems
Pests are experts at hiding. Rodents often live in old sewer lines, cracks in walls, and hidden underground burrows. Cockroaches thrive in dark, damp spaces, while ants build colonies under sidewalks and building foundations.
When construction begins, all of this gets disrupted. Heavy equipment, noise, and demolition push pests out of their nests. Since they need food, water, and shelter to survive, they quickly look for new places nearby—like your kitchen, basement, or garbage area.
This is especially true in New York, where buildings are packed tightly together. A single construction project can send pests scattering across an entire block.
Common Pests Displaced by Construction
Different types of construction tend to stir up different pests. Some of the most common include:
- Rats and Mice: Sewer and subway construction often forces rodents into residential neighborhoods.
- Cockroaches: Demolition of old buildings releases roaches that have been nesting in walls for years.
- Ants: Road and sidewalk projects can disturb ant colonies, sending them searching for food indoors.
- Termites: Excavation near older wood structures may uncover termite activity.
- Flies: Garbage and construction debris provide food sources that attract flies.
The Impact on Homes and Businesses
For homeowners, construction-related pests often appear in basements, kitchens, or storage areas. You may notice droppings, gnaw marks, or live pests soon after a nearby project begins.
For businesses, especially restaurants, the risks are even greater. A single rat sighting can scare away customers and even trigger fines during health inspections. Property managers in apartment complexes may also face tenant complaints if pests spread from one unit to another.
How to Protect Your Property During Construction
While you can’t stop construction in your neighborhood, you can take steps to keep pests out of your home or business.
- Seal Entry Points: Check around doors, windows, vents, and pipes. Even a small gap can let rodents or roaches in.
- Reduce Food Sources: Keep food stored in sealed containers, and take out trash regularly.
- Fix Water Leaks: Pests need water. Repair leaks in sinks, bathrooms, and basements.
- Limit Clutter: Cardboard boxes and stacks of paper make perfect hiding spots for pests.
- Schedule Preventive Treatments: A professional pest control company can apply protective measures before pests move in.
Why Professional Help is Important
DIY methods can help, but when pests are driven out by construction, they can arrive in large numbers and spread quickly. Rats, for example, are smart and often avoid traps. Cockroaches can multiply rapidly, and one or two can turn into hundreds in just a few weeks.
Working with a professional ensures the problem is handled effectively. An experienced team can identify the type of pests, locate their entry points, and use safe and proven methods to eliminate them. They can also return for regular inspections to make sure pests don’t come back once construction is complete.
If you need trusted help, working with an experienced exterminator New York can give you peace of mind. A professional service like Positive Pest Management understands the unique challenges of city living and how construction impacts pest activity.
Staying Ahead of the Problem
Construction is a normal part of life in New York City, but pest infestations don’t have to be. By staying alert, sealing your property, and working with professionals, you can keep your home or business protected.
The next time you see scaffolding go up on your block, remember: pests are probably being displaced nearby. Taking steps now could save you from a much bigger headache later.
