PESTS THAT DAMAGE WOOD

Under proper use conditions, wood can give centuries of good service. But under unfavorable conditions, wood may readily be damaged and destroyed by wood destroying insects. These pests can attack in many ways, using the wood for food or shelter. Consequently wood must be protected to insure maximum service life when used under conditions favorable to these pests.

Several kinds of insects attack living trees, logs, lumber and finished wood products for food and/or shelter. These pests include various termites, ants, beetles, and bees.

CARPENTER ANT (Camponotus spp)

Key Biology

• One node, erect and sharp

• Strong biting jaws

• Polymorphic

• 1/8 to 5/8 inch long

• Evenly rounded thorax

• 12 segments on antenna

• Circle of hairs on abdomen

• Color varies between species; black, black and red, red, yellow

Distribution

• Our largest ant. Workers usually of several lengths, with the size of the head varying considerable. Queens are often nearly an inch long. Several species live in the country. Sometimes they bite, but are not capable of stinging.

• Omnivorous-- sweet, honeydew, dead insects, food scraps

• Formic acid odor when crushed

• Moist wood, decaying wood, tree stumps, railroad tiles

• Landscape wood borders, heavily mulched areas, and firewood

• Under insulation, wall voids, under or near hot tubs, tree holes, hollow rods, attic eaves

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE (Reticulitermes) Kollar

Biology

• Swarmers are about 3/8 inch in length, including the length of wings.

• The body is dark brown to black in color.

• A frontal gland pore (fontanelle) is present.

• Wings have 2 visible veins, dark in color.

• Wings are primarily translucent to a smoky color.

• The soldiers head is a rectangular shape.

• Soldiers length is usually 1.5 times its width.

Distribution/Habits

• Most common and widely distributed termites in North America.

• These termites eat mostly spring wood.

• The damaged wood looks layered and soil is found in the galleries.

• Colonies are located in the ground, but if a water source is available, a colony can exist above ground with no ground contact.

• A typical colony contains 60,000 to 1 million workers.

• Swarming occurs during the morning, usually after a rain.

• Mud tubes bridge the gap between the colony and above ground food sources.

TRUE POWDERPOST BEETLES (Lyctidae)

Biology

• Length: 1/8 to 1/4 inch

• Body is flat in appearance and reddish-brown to dark brown in color.

• Head is visible from above.

• Antenna is composed of 11 segments ending in a distinct two-segmented club.

• Tibia of each leg has 2 small spurs.

• Larvae are small “C” shaped, almost white in color.

• Eight breathing holes (spiracles) are found on the side of the larva’s abdomen.

Distribution/Habits

• Found throughout the world

• Commonly referred to as Lyctid Beetles

• Attack hardwood items; i.e. oak, ash, hickory, walnut, pecan, poplar and wild cherry

• Cannot digest cellulose as termites do; instead they survive on starch, sugars and protein found in wood.

• Primary food source for larvae is starch.

• Feces and pieces of wood are found packed inside the larval galleries.

• Females will not lay eggs in wood that has less than 3% starch content.

CARPENTER BEES (Xylocopa spp.)

Biology

• Large, ½ to 1 inch in length, robust, resemble bumble bees, but abdomen is dark, shiny and relatively hairless.

Distribution/Habits

• Tunnel into wood

• Prefer bare unpainted or unstained wood

• Attack wooden decks, fascia boards, fences, wood siding and window sills

• Entrance hole measures 3/8 to ½ inch in diameter.

• Normally there is a pile of sawdust below entrance hole.

OLD HOUSE BORER (Hylptrupes bajulus)

Biology

• Length: 5/8 to 1 inch in length; males generally smaller than females.

• Brownish black to black in color and covered with short, gray hairs

• Antennae is 1/3 the body length or more, and is eleven segmented.

• Body is slightly flattened with a 5 segmented tarsi.

• The prothorax, behind the head, is round in shape and has two raised black bumps.

• The wing covers may be completely black with patches of gray that form bands.

Distribution/Habits

• Found on every continent except Australia. Very common on Eastern and Southeastern coasts of the United States.

• Old House borer is only present in wood of structures. It is the only long horned beetle that can reinfest seasoned lumber.

• Attracted to soft wood; i.e. pines.

• Optimum wood moisture content is 10-28%.

• Before visible damage is present, rhythmic rasping or clicking sounds indicate an infestation of larger larvae feeding.

• Eggs are deposited in cracks within wood. Upon hatching, larvae bore down into the wood and begin to feed.

• Larvae stage can last anywhere from 2 – 10 years.

• Frass produced by the larvae is composed of barrel shaped pellets of digested wood and irregular-shaped particles which have not been digested. This frass can be found tightly packed in galleries.

**Wood Decaying Fungi

Wood decaying fungi can potentially cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs. Believe it or not, fungi cause more damage than subterranean termites. Since fungi cannot make their own food, that means that they have to get it from somewhere else. In the case of wood decay and non-decay fungi, the food comes from the carbohydrate material found in the cellulose of wood. Microscopic threads of fungi called hyphae attack wood. The hyphae secrete an enzyme that decomposes wood, making “food” for the growing fungi. Decay fungi require a minimum moisture content of 28% and above for growth, but they can remain “dormant” in wood for long periods of time until the right moisture conditions come along. On a Wood Infestation Report, “excessive” moisture conditions begin at 20%. Active decay begins at 28%. As you might expect, the southern states are more likely to have fungi problems in structures because of the nearly yearlong high humidity. The optimum temperature range for fungi growth is between 70 and 80 degrees. It must be noted that it is easier to prevent fungi than to get rid of it. Use vapor barriers to prevent condensation from forming on the substructure wood. Wood-to-ground contact should be eliminated. Also, make sure that there are no problems such as leaking plumbing pipes or condensation from heating and cooling system ductwork.

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