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Explore this LEED credit
Post your questions on this credit in the forum, and click on the credit language tab to review to the LEED requirements.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Prerequisites
None.Credits
5 Pest control alternatives (½ point each, maximum 2 points). Implement one or more of the measures below. All physical actions (for pest management practices) must be noted on construction plans.a) Keep all wood (i.e., siding, trim, structure) at least 12 inches above soil (code typically requires 8 inches).b) Seal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking. Where openings cannot be caulked or sealed, install rodent and corrosion-proof screens (e.g., copper or stainless steel mesh). Protect exposed foundation insulation with moisture-resistant, pest-proof cover (e.g., fiber cement board, galvanized insect screen).c) Include no wood-to-concrete connections or separate any exterior wood-to-concrete connections (e.g., at posts, deck supports, stair stringers) with metal or plastic fasteners or dividers.d) Install landscaping such that all parts of mature plants will be at least 24 inches from the home.e) In areas marked “moderate to heavy” through “very heavy” on the termite infestation probability map (Figure 1), implement one or more of the following measures (½ point each):- Treat all cellulosic material (e.g., wood framing) with a borate product to a minimum of 3 feet above the foundation.
- Install a sand or diatomaceous earth barrier.
- Install a steel mesh barrier termite control system.
- Install nontoxic termite bait system.
- Use noncellulosic (i.e., not wood or straw) wall structure.
- Use solid concrete foundation walls or masonry wall with top course of solid block bond beam or concrete-filled block.
Figure 1. Termite Infestation Probability Map
See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Prerequisites
None.Credits
5 Pest control alternatives (½ point each, maximum 2 points). Implement one or more of the measures below. All physical actions (for pest management practices) must be noted on construction plans.a) Keep all wood (i.e., siding, trim, structure) at least 12 inches above soil (code typically requires 8 inches).b) Seal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking. Where openings cannot be caulked or sealed, install rodent and corrosion-proof screens (e.g., copper or stainless steel mesh). Protect exposed foundation insulation with moisture-resistant, pest-proof cover (e.g., fiber cement board, galvanized insect screen).c) Include no wood-to-concrete connections or separate any exterior wood-to-concrete connections (e.g., at posts, deck supports, stair stringers) with metal or plastic fasteners or dividers.d) Install landscaping such that all parts of mature plants will be at least 24 inches from the home.e) In areas marked “moderate to heavy” through “very heavy” on the termite infestation probability map (Figure 1), implement one or more of the following measures (½ point each):- Treat all cellulosic material (e.g., wood framing) with a borate product to a minimum of 3 feet above the foundation.
- Install a sand or diatomaceous earth barrier.
- Install a steel mesh barrier termite control system.
- Install nontoxic termite bait system.
- Use noncellulosic (i.e., not wood or straw) wall structure.
- Use solid concrete foundation walls or masonry wall with top course of solid block bond beam or concrete-filled block.
