Large areas of land along the Gulf of Mexico have been flooded and destroyed by recent hurricanes. Many homes and other buildings are no longer habitable or will be demolished. Some of these structures will be rebuilt. With this rebuilding comes an opportunity to reduce the impact of a wide array of insects, wood decay and rot. The most serious pest in this area is the Formosan subterranean termite, now considered the most destructive insect in the Gulf South resulting in millions of dollars in losses caused by: treatments; repairs; defaults on loans; and collapse, demolition and rebuilding of structures. Your new home can be safeguarded by using preservative-treated wood and following an integrated pest management program at the time of construction.