When we think of wood-destroying insects, the number one pest that probably comes to mind is termites. Termites can be incredibly destructive, so much so that the damages they create typically aren’t covered by homeowner’s insurance! That alone can be enough to make homeowners wary and cautious of them. However, there are many other wood-destroying insects that can cause a tremendous amount of damage to your home as well. Some of these include carpenter ants, carpenter bees, long-horned beetles, and powder post beetles.
As a quick overview:
- Carpenter ants are large black ants that tunnel into softwood to create their nests and galleries, which can cause significant damages to homes.
- Carpenter bees bore circular holes into untreated wood to lay their eggs in which damages the wood.
- Long-horned beetles attack trees, particularly maples, and can cause significant damages.
- Powder post beetles can destroy furniture and cause structural damages to homes, particularly the larvae.
Making your property as unappealing to these wood-destroying insects as possible is key to keeping them away and preventing damage. Keeping the wood structures around your home protected and dry is the number one step to helping to keep these pests at bay. To deter these pests, stain or paint any decks, porches, trim, sheds, decks, eaves, or any other areas of exposed wood around your property. It is also helpful to maintain proper drainage by cleaning out gutters, fixing leaky faucets, cutting back overgrowth, and raking up any yard debris to help control the moisture levels on your property. In addition, it is important to inspect your property for any signs of these wood-destroying pests on a regular basis.
You’ll also want to make sure these pests don’t get inside your home. Carpenter ants, in particular, can cause just as much damage as a termite infestation if they get into your support beams, sub-flooring, or furniture. Keeping your basement and attic dry and using exclusion techniques to keep them out is imperative in order to avoid an infestation. Carpenter ants prefer to create their nests in soft or water-damaged wood, so using hardwoods whenever possible can be beneficial as well as employing moisture reducing techniques like dehumidifiers.
If you suspect you have a wood-destroying insect problem or want to be proactive in preventing one from occurring in the first place, call the pest control professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators for a free no-obligation inspection! Our professionals will meet with you and suggest the Home Guardian service plan in Rock Island, IL that is right for you. Our five-step process is guaranteed to eliminate the pests that are plaguing your property! However, if a year-round plan is not what you need at this time, your Quik-Kill expert will work with you to find the right solution for your wood-destroying pest problem! Contact us to learn more.