WOOD-DESTROYING ORGANISMS/INSECTS
Termites, which play a positive role in
recycling wood and plant material, become a problem when they consume structural
lumber. Every year thousands of U.S. housing units require termite treatment.
These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and posts and can also
attack stored food, household furniture, and books. Successful termite
management requires special skills, including a working knowledge of building
construction and an understanding of termite biology and identification. In most
cases, it is advisable to hire a professional pest control company for the
inspection and control problem.
Wood-boring beetle
larvae feed on wood and wood products. Adults of some species bore
holes into plaster, plastic, and soft metals. Many species cause problems when
emerging from wood in newly constructed buildings because they leave small
circular or oval exit holes in the wood. To avoid these problems, infested wood
must be kiln-fried before being used for lumber. The species Deathwatch Beetles
is primarily found in soft woods (girder, beams, foundation timbers, some types
of furniture, with some species attacking books). False Powderpost female
beetles bore a tunnel, or egg gallery, into wood or other materials, then
deposit eggs in pores or cracks within the tunnel. Adults of some species bore
through such soft metal as lead and silver, as well as plaster and other
non-wood materials. Affected structural wood should be removed and replaced
whenever possible.
Wood Wasps and Horntails. Wood wasp
damage in buildings is likely to be more cosmetic than structurally weakening.
Emerging wood wasps can chew through any substance: wallboard or plaster walls,
hardwood floors, carpeting, linoleum, non-ceramic floor tiles, and other
interior surfaces.
Carpenter Ants. Several species can
damage wood in building and other structures. Though ants donīt eat wood, they
bore into it to make their nests, sometimes causing serious structural damage.
Also, they nest in hollow doors, cracks and crevices, furniture, wall voids, and
termite galleries. New building infestation occurs when land-cleaning in the
area disturbs existing native colonies.
Excerpts from University of
California Agriculture & Natural Resources, UCIPMOnline, "Statewide Pest
Management Program".
Termite Facts
A
typical homeowner's insurance policy does not cover destruction caused by
termites, even though they cause over 1 billion dollars in damage to homes
throughout the United States each year. It's important that homeowners
understand the threat of termites, and take the necessary steps to protect their
homes.
Subterranean termites are extremely destructive. First they build
tunnels to wooden structures, and then they burrow into those structures to
obtain food. Any wood or cellulose-containing material constitutes termite food,
and given time to do so, they'll eat until nothing is left but a shell. Termites
avoid light and air, so they build their colonies where you're not likely to
stumble upon them.
On the off chance you do see them, remember that it's
easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that
distinguish them.
Ants
- narrow waists
- bent antennae
- two sets of wings (one wing is longer than the other)
Termites
- thick waists
- straight antennae
- two sets of wings (same size)