Wood Destroying Pests - Marlboro Pest Control

Wood Destroying Pests

Wood Destroying Insects

Insects that destroy wood are a cause of special concern to homeowners because wood is used for support beams in most houses in this area. Termites are a problem because they eat new as well as old wood. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but hollow out wood for nests. They tend to attack damp or damaged wood so are easier to prevent than termites. Carpenter bees attack wood from the outside, and drill holes to lead to galleries parallel to the grain. They tend to like wood that is somewhat aged and unprotected by paint. Powderpost beetles and old house borers both attack structural wood and can cause extensive damage.

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Monthly Pest Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ant identification

Most ants are small and nest underground, only rarely becoming anything more than a nuisance. Carpenter ants (see photo top), on the other hand, are large ants that nest above ground in cavities such as tree stumps and sometimes in the walls, subfloors or roofs of our houses where they can cause extensive and expensive damage.

Carpenter ants are generally larger than 3/8" and all black or red and black. Winged ants may be present in late spring but like other ants, most of the year carpenter ants are wingless