Building a deck this year? You are going to need some built-in pest control. Now electrified fences and moats filled with alligators will keep neighbors away, but won’t solve your biggest potential problem. Wherever decks touch soil, framing lumber is subject to rot and termites. Use special lumber that’s been pressure-treated with pesticides to prevent such damage. Pressure-treated lumber can be cut and can take nails or screws as any other wood can. But there are special precautions you should take when using it. First, wear gloves. Pressure-treated lumber often is rough, and its splinters are also treated with pesticide. Always wear a filter mask to avoid breathing in treated sawdust when making cuts. And treat all sawed-off ends with a wood-preservative containing pesticide. Remember: plain lumber is a welcome mat that turns any deck into a science experiment in no time. Pressure-treated lumber keeps bad stuff away while you and your loved ones relax and play. And that's the On The House tip for today.