Wood-destroying insects can be a nightmare for a homeowner. Some insects actually eat the wood in your home and others use the wood to build their nests. Either way, insects can cause a significant amount of damage if they’re not eradicated. Termites aren’t the only wood-destroying insects that can damage your home. Here are other pests that you’ll want to know about as a property owner.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants won’t eat the wood. They’ll make tunnels to live in, destroying wood from the inside. Carpenter ants naturally live in damp wood like old tree stumps or fallen timber. But, if they are displaced and you have the right type of environment, your home is fair game. They’ll burrow their way in and invade your house to search for food.
Carpenter Bees
Much like carpenter ants, carpenter bees don’t eat the wood. Carpenter bees bore holes into wooden structures to create a safe area to lay their eggs. While they aren’t as destructive as carpenter ants can be, over time they will cause damage to the wood of your home as they burrow.
Powderpost Beetles Are Different Types of Wood-Destroying Insects
The term “powderpost beetles” covers many different types of beetles that fall into the category of wood-destroying insects. The beetles search for tiny pores in the wood to lay their eggs. Once the eggs are hatched, the larvae will eat the wood, creating tunnels.
The beetle larvae live inside of the wood until they reach adulthood, surviving on the fibers in the wood. Then, they’ll bore their way out and mate, and the whole process will begin all over again. Powderpost beetles are destructive and can be difficult to get rid of.
Old House Borers
Old house borers usually attack wood before it’s ever used for construction, making them common wood-destroying insects in newer homes. They are attracted to lumberyards, where they lay their eggs in cracks of wood that has recently been cut. Softer woods like pine, spruce, and fir tend to be their preferred types.
Since they are invading lumber before it is used, old house borers can appear anywhere in your home after it’s built. To make matters worse, once their eggs hatch, it takes several years for them to reach maturity. So, there could be many generations of old house borers eating away at the wood of your home before you become aware of them.
How Do You Know if Your Home is Infested?
Even if you don’t actually see wood-destroying insects, there will be signs if they are present. You may notice small piles of sawdust in spots around the inside of your home or on the exterior. If the pests are well-established, you may notice the wood rotting and deteriorating in some places.
What’s the Best Way to Deal With Wood-Destroying Insects?
If you suspect that you have an issue with insects in your home, have a professional wood-destroying insect inspection performed for an accurate assessment of the problem. Time is of the essence. The longer that you wait, the more damage wood-destroying insects will cause.
American Dream Home Inspections provides inspection services to New Jersey. Contact us to request an inspection if you are buying or selling a home.