WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS
Contents
of this page are the Copyright of and reproduced with the
permission
of:
Criterium
Yingst Engineers
421 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033
1-800-231-3346
WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS:
One of the greatest hazards any homeowner faces (and
subsequently a potential source of liability for Realtors®) is
wood destroying insects. These insects, which survive by eating
wood, paper, fiberboard, cotton fabrics, and other cellulose
products, cause more damage to homes than fires, storms, and
earthquakes combined. If ignored, they can actually threaten the
structural integrity of the home. Damage to a home's framing
members from wood destroying insects could indicate that the
structural integrity has been compromised and should be
carefully evaluated by a Professional Engineer.
Termites: The most
destructive of all, actually eat the wood while other insects
simply nest in it. On the outside of the home, on foundation
walls, and on wood members look for mud tubes – brown sand-like
tubes slightly smaller in diameter than a pencil. Due to their
small size and their need to remain moist inside the mud tubes
and soil, live termites are not usually seen except when
swarming in the Spring. During April through June, winged
termites (“swarmers”) appear in large numbers and fly a short
distance where their wings will break off – often this is the
first clue of a problem. If you have a finished basement or
slab-on-grade home with wood framing on the concrete slab, they
can enter directly from the soil below. If the home has a
concrete block foundation, the termites can travel inside the
hollow cores of the blocks. The top course of blocks should be
solid to help discourage termite travel. Termite damage can
range from minor (if caught in time) to major, and hidden damage
is often a concern. When termites are discovered, treatment and
structural evaluation are required to prevent further damage and
determine if repairs are needed.
Carpenter ants:
These insects like to nest in wood – particularly wet wood.
They don't actually eat it. A tell-tale sign of the presence of
carpenter ants is small recurring piles of sawdust. Carpenter
ants are especially fond of soft wood; it's easier to carve out
their nest. Typically, they will simply infest one area, not a
large portion of the house, as is often the case with termites.
Water entry from plumbing leaks or other sources often encourage
carpenter ant activity. Carpenter ant damage is typically
localized and may be combined with rot damage. The affected
wood members should be inspected and reinforced or replaced as
needed.
Powder post beetles:
These insects act a lot like carpenter ants, except their
"sawdust" is more refined, actually tiny spheres of wood. Small
pin holes in the surface of old wood are usually evidence of
past (or present) powder post beetle activity. If powder is
noted below the pin holes the insects are likely active. Older
homes (more than 75 years old) often show evidence of these
insects. Damage may be minor in many cases, however,
significant structural damage can occur and depends on how much
“solid wood” remains. Each affected framing member should be
reviewed to determine if structural repairs are needed. Damage
may affect a large portion of the framing.
Carpenter bees: They are somewhat like carpenter ants
with striped uniforms, often blue or black, and they look like
bumble bees. They like to nest in the exposed softwoods (cedar,
redwood, pine, etc.) on the exterior of the home - exterior
siding, trim, soffits, fascia, etc. Unpainted wood is more
prone to damage than painted finishes. Carpenter bees are more
airborne than carpenter ants, which are only capable of flying
during one brief period of their early growth. Carpenter bees
bore round holes approximately the diameter of your finger in
the wood. Course sawdust the color of fresh wood can typically
be seen below the hole if the bees are active, and burrowing
sounds can often be heard within the wood. While their damage
is usually cosmetic, significant deterioration of the wood can
occur. To correct, replacement of the wood is required.
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