As the warm season starts to heat up and we begin going outside more, certain pests are looking for new homes. Of these pests, wood destroying insects are perhaps the most troublesome. There are several of these insect species that may enter the home, including termites, carpenter ants, and certain species of beetles. Here are some of the signs that you may notice if you have an infestation.
Termites
There are several species of termites that may infest your home, but the two most common are subterranean and drywood termites. Termite infestations are generally hard to detect, especially if they are of the subterranean variety, because the termites will not make holes in the wood for evacuation. However, there are some signs that will tip you off right away. First, you might find swarmers, or their wings in piles, around the home. Swarmers are winged termites that leave a colony in order to establish a new nest. You may also notice mud tubes, going up the wood of the home. Termites will use these tubes to travel. Another sign will appear when the infestation is bad enough, with damaged wood becoming warped, or brittle.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ant infestations are similar to those of termites, with the exception that the ants do not eat the wood. Instead they use it as their nest. This means that they have to leave the colony routinely in order to search for food. If you notice a relatively large black ant out in the open, or a carpenter ant swarmer, you might have an infestation. You may also notice tiny holes in the wood of your home, and piles of sawdust and insect pieces near the base of wooden structures. It’s also worth keeping in mind that carpenter ants are mostly interested in damp, damaged wood.
Beetles
Powderpost beetles are another insect species that may attack wooden structures, but in a much less extensive way than termites and carpenter ants. These beetles will lay their eggs inside the cracks, crevices and pores of wooden structures, which will serve as a food source for their larvae once they hatch. Make sure to keep an eye out for pinhead sized holes, grass deposits, eggs and beetles near the wood in your home.
If you are having issues with one of these pest species, contact us today, and we will help you remove them.