Edmond has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Oklahoma for over two decades. If you’re building new or buying in a new development, termites should be near the top of your due diligence list — not because of bad luck, but because of how construction itself works.

Why New Construction in Edmond is High Termite Risk

This seems counterintuitive. Brand new home, brand new wood — shouldn’t it be safer? Actually, new construction creates conditions that are ideal for subterranean termite activity:

Soil disturbance. Grading, excavation, and foundation work churn up the soil and bring termite colonies to the surface. In Edmond’s clay-heavy soils — which retain moisture year-round — established termite colonies are present in virtually every undeveloped lot. Construction brings them directly into contact with new wood.

Wood-to-soil contact during framing. Form boards, scrap lumber, and temporary supports often contact soil during the building process. Even brief contact is enough for termites to establish foraging trails into the structure.

Disturbed grade around foundations. Backfill around new foundations is loose, unsettled soil — easier for termites to tunnel through than undisturbed ground.

Edmond’s specific risk factors. The Canadian River corridor to the south of Edmond brings consistent moisture into the area. Edmond’s HOA-mandated landscaping and irrigation systems keep soil moist around foundations. Mature development surrounding new construction means established termite colonies are present in adjacent properties.

What Pre-Construction Termite Treatment Involves

Oklahoma building code in high termite risk areas — which includes Edmond — requires pre-construction termite treatment. Here’s how the process works:

Soil pre-treatment. Before the concrete slab is poured, the exposed soil is treated with a termiticide that creates a chemical barrier. This is the most critical window — the treatment protects the structure from below before any wood is in place.

Treatment during framing. Additional treatment can be applied to the base plates and lower framing before drywall is installed. This provides a secondary barrier where wood is closest to the foundation.

Sentricon installation. Bait stations can be installed around the perimeter during or after construction. Unlike liquid treatments that degrade over time, Sentricon stations remain active continuously and eliminate any colony that encounters them.

The Case for Sentricon on New Edmond Construction

Liquid soil treatments are required by code and provide good initial protection. But they’re not permanent — termiticide barriers break down over 5-10 years as the chemical degrades in the soil. Sentricon stations installed at the time of construction provide continuous protection without chemical degradation.

Murray Pest Control is a Certified Sentricon Specialist® — one of the only companies in central Oklahoma authorized to install and service the Sentricon system. We work directly with builders and can coordinate treatment at every appropriate phase of the construction process.

Learn more about termite control for Edmond homeowners. | Learn about the Sentricon System.

Buying a New Home in an Edmond Development?

If you’re purchasing a new construction home rather than building, ask the builder what termite treatment was used and whether it’s documented. Request a copy of the termite treatment certificate. If pre-treatment wasn’t performed or documentation isn’t available, schedule a post-construction inspection before closing.

Murray Pest Control provides real estate termite inspections for Edmond home transactions — including documentation suitable for closing requirements.

Jake Murray is the owner of Murray Pest Control and holds a B.S. in Entomology from Oklahoma State University. Murray Pest Control is a Certified Sentricon Specialist® serving Edmond, Stillwater, and central Oklahoma.