Wood Destroying Insects Scott Perry T.P. Exterminators 1949 Henry - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Wood Destroying Insects

Scott Perry

T.P. Exterminators 1949 Henry St. Bellmore, NY 11710 (O/F)(516)781-9432 (C)(516)983-6841 www.TPExterminators.com

Common Wood Destroying Insects

Termites Carpenter Ants Powderpost Beetles Carpenter Bees

Termites

Subterranean Dampwood Drywood

Major destroyers of wood and wood product

• materials. Normally associated with buildings, but

can also infest wood that has been stored for some

• time. There are three basic kinds of termites:

Easter Subterranean Termite

Workers / Soldiers Reproductive's / Swarmers

Biology

Live in colonies at water table level Typical colony size is about 700,000 to 1 million Termites are about 1/8 inch and cream in color A majority are blind sterile females Exoskeleton is a thin mucus membrane

Termite Damage

Not typically noticed Termites have weak mouth parts creating slivering of wood “Dirt” found in wood Mud tubing found on foundation walls Compression of sill plate

Prevention

No wood to soil contact Remove foam boards and grade stakes used in construction Rise sill plate at least 6” above ground Landscape plantings no closer than 2ft. from structure Shed all water off structure

Ant or Termite?

Figure 3-5

Termites: sometimes called “white ants” because they are ant-like in form. Termites differ in antenna form and having 2 segments instead of 3.

Subterranean termite colonies live in the soil from which they construct exploratory tubes (mud tubes) in search of wood.

Signs of Subterranean Termite activity. Mud tubing and “slivering” of the wood

Termite Swarming is usually the first evidence

• f an infestation noticed by most people.

Carpenter Ants

Camponotus

Figure 3-9

Biology

Black & quite large (1/4-5/8) 3 segments (head, thorax and abdomen) Hair on the abdomen They work in a cast system However they are polymorphic – means workers are different sizes

Carpenter Ants build nests in wood, they don’t eat it!

Carpenter Ant Damage

Contrary to popular belief Carpenter ants don’t eat wood They burrow wood out and live within it They prefer moist wood but don’t have to have it Their diet varies between sugars and proteins

Damage Continued

When they burrow the wood

• ut the create “frass” (wood

shavings and insect parts) This “frass” is typically found in piles under an ejection hole They create galleries that they live in which are kept very clean

Prevention

Repair leaks from the roof, windows and bathrooms Trim shrubs off the house at least 3 feet Trim tree limbs over hanging the house at least 6 feet Stack firewood off the house

Powder Post Beetles

Three Families Lyctids Bostrichids Anobiids

The main sign of powderpost beetles is powdery sawdust.

Powderpost beetles turn wood to dust!

Lyctid powderpost beetles:

Attack sapwood Attack hardwoods only, rarely maple Require 8% to 32% moisture

Anobiid powderpost beetles:

Prefer old woods, 10-20 years old! Attack hardwoods and softwoods including maple Require 13% to 30% moisture

Wood-boring weevil, Hexarthum:

Frass looks like powderpost beetles Attack hardwoods, including maple Require high wood moistures, often wet!

Biology

They are all about 1/32 to 1/8 inches long These beetle larvae develop within wood They emerge from wood to mate typically

• nly once a year. For this reason they are

rarely seen They are typically found in older wood

Damage

The most common signs are small exit holes in the wood surface These holes will be found in close proximity to each other Powdery “frass” sifting from the holes and this powdery “frass” within the wood Small piles of this “frass” below exit holes

Carpenter Bees

Biology

They are large robust bees measuring between 1 and 1-1/2 inches in length They tunnel a near-perfect circle in wood measuring approximately ½ inch in diameter The female constructs the hole and the male defends this nest (hovering in front) They are typically most active in late summer and early fall They prefer un-painted, weathered wood The female stings the male does not

Carpenter Damage

The tunnel goes straight in a few inches and then makes a 90 degree turn creating long tube In this tube she creates “cells” which will house 6-10 larva New adults emerge in August and September and begin to construct their own nests So you start with 1 or 2 bees one year and after 3 or 4 years they are everywhere They will weaken structural wood

Prevention

Treat each individual tunnel opening with insecticide Seal opening with caulking compound Paint the bottom and back side of wood structures to deter these bees from nesting Seal wood within sheet metal A tennis or badminton racket are effective

• n killing these bees

Use pressure treated wood or a synthetic composite on the exterior of the structure

Question & Answer

Please remember that answers are only generalities. Please see me afterward for specific questions. Thank you for your time and attention. By the way … Scott Perry, Pres.

T.P. Exterminators Office: (516)781-9432 / Cell: (516)983-6841 TPExtermin@aol.com