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Type Of Wood Destroying Insects Other Types of Termites

Drywood Termites

These are naturally found in a narrow strip of land extending from Cape Henry, Virginia, along the Atlantic Coast
south to Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico and from Mexico to Northern California on the Pacific Coast.
These are occasionally found in the Northeast in furniture and other movable objects. This is when these item are
moved from their natural environments to the new areas.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are similar to the subterranean termites, but seldom live in the soil.
These are not found in the Northeast. Parts of Florida and from British Columbia to Mexico on the Pacific.
They nest in damp wood, are associated with wood decay, and do not construct tubing.

Other Wood-Destroying Inspects

Powderpost Beetles

The powderpost Beetles are rated second only to termites in destructiveness and infest only dead wood,
particularly dried lumber. They attack a piece of wood over and over again until all that is left is a the outer shell filled
with fine wood dust or "powder."

The powderpost beetles leave holes in the wood as they emerge and these holes provide evidences to the
pest control operator that a powderpost infestation may exist.   The size of these holes range in size of 1/16 to 1/4 of
an inch in diameter. If only one generation of larvae has fed within the wood, it is usually still structural sound.

An important aspect of powderpost beetles' behavior is that before the female attaches her eggs to a piece of wood,
she first tastes the wood to be sure it contains enough starch and sugar to nourish her offspring. If she is prevented
from doing this by a wood coating of any kind (paint, varnish, whitewash, etc.), she will not deposit her eggs. If the
wood is protected,it is not attacked by powderpost beetles. The true powderpost beetles and the deathwatch
beetles also requires cracks to lay their eggs in, so wood coatings restrict the areas where the females can deposit
eggs.    Best treatment and prevention is to seal and coat the wood with a nontoxic, permanent surface material.

Old House Borer

The name is misleading, it attacks suitable timbers both in recently constructed houses and in old houses but most
likely to be a pest of newer structures. The old house bores requires the seasoned, wide-grain wood
of such softwoods as pine, spruce, hemlock and fir, to which no paint or other permanent finish has been applied.

The adult beetle are 3/4 inch in length, but are like the powderpost beetles, they are rarely seen.
Like the powderpost beetles, the larvae of this beetle excrete into their tunnels the wood particles or frauss from
which they have extracted the starch and sugar. The emergence holes of the adult beetles are often surprisingly few
in number, considering the extent of damage; they are broadly oval and 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter. An
old-house-borer infestation often continues several decades or more. The life cycle is usually from 3- 11 years, but
may take much longer under unfavorable conditions. Sometimes an infested piece of wood is used in building
material for a new construction.

Treatment and control is an on-going, long-range process. If the lumber has structural strength
to carry the load, then apply a permanent, nontoxic surfacing material. If it appears to be ongoing the emergence
holes should be filled with caulking material. This will prevent reinfestation, then inspected annually.

Wharf Borer

The larvae of this beetle feed in water-soaked or very moist wood and are probably also
nourished by wood-rot decomposition products. Such problems have been encountered when old wooden
buildings are razed and some of their timber becomes buried in the old cellars. When a new building, without
cellar excavation, is erected on the site, a great number of wharf borers may emerge into the new structure from the
buried wood.

Depending on the quantity of buried wood, infestations of wharf borers under such "new buildings" dwindle and
terminate in time, but no definite time period can be given. If immediate control is urgent, drilling through the slab
and injecting termite-control pesticide offer the best hope.   A professional should be consulted.

Where replacement of structural members is not necessary, treatment to control the insect and other rot organism
should be made by pressure injection. Correction of moisture conditions infested is essential.

Black Carpenter Ant

Carpenter Ants are economically important pests of wooden structures. The term carpenter ant refers to several
closely related species of the genus Camponotus. The most common house-infesting species is the black
carpenter ant, Camponotus Pennsylvanicus (DEGEER).   Its workers are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and are very glossy with
golden hairs on the abdomen.   New York carpenter ant, Camponotus novaeboracensis (Fitch), may also infest
wooden structures. The workers are also 1/4-1/2 inch long but the mis-section or thorax is a deep maroonish-red.

Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants don't eat wood as termites do. They excavate cavities in the wood to
provide shelter for their young. They actually eat a wide variety of insects, as well as the sweet excretions of aphids.

To prevent carpenter ants moisture control around the building is a factor. Carpenter Ants need at least 15% of
moisture in wood to successfully attack. When you keep the wood dry, this is often enough for prevention. Keeping
the plumbing from leaking and controlling the drainage around the buildings. Roof leaking and improper gutter
drainage. Don't stack wood on the ground next to the building. These are all things you can do to help prevent the
attacks from the carpenter ants and also many of the wood destroying insects.

Another part of prevention, is to remove all potential sources of infestation. Trim or prune trees carefully and remove
any sick or damage trees or limbs. Remove dead stumps and logs, and avoid wood-chip mulches near the house.

Locating the nest and removing the queen is necessary. Looking for the foraging ants and saw dust is a good
indication, along with sounds produced by ants in between the walls. Treating inside the nest in very important
either with drilling holes or other ways. Eliminating the source of the moisture is the best solution.

Large Carpenter Bee

These insects are large, robust bees about an inch in length and similar in appearance to the bumblebees
They differ in that the top of the abdomen of the carpenter bee is shiny black, whereas the
bumblebee's abdomen is covered with hairs. Carpenter bees are active throughout the summer months.

The female finds the suitable nesting after mating, it could be siding, trim, or any wood member that extends nearly
horizontally from the building. After excavating 1/2 inch in diameter, she begins to excavate 1 or 2 lateral tunnels
along the grain of the wood. The female aligns the tunnels with eggs and the adult bees, both male and females,
emerge the next year.

A simple method of control is to plug the holes after dark while the bees are in the hole. If this does not work insert
the secticide in the hole, treat the hole with a wood preservative then plug the hole.

With any concerns and questions please consult a professional

This company does inspections only but has a professional consultant for Treatment.
I have a service but do not sell a product.