Insect That Eat Wood: All You Need to Know – A Quick Guide

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Wood-eating insects can cause serious damage to homes, furniture, and even trees. These troublesome pests may go unnoticed for a long time, leading to extensive damage and costly repairs. Understanding the different types of wood-eating insects and their habits can help homeowners and property owners identify and control potential infestations.

One common wood-eating insect is the Bostrichid Powderpost Beetle, which can attack both hardwood and softwood materials. Another type of destructive insect is the Red Oak Borer, which targets oak and maple trees.

To effectively manage these insects, it’s essential to recognize the early signs of infestation, such as small holes in wooden structures and sawdust-like powder. Implementing preventative measures, such as sealing cracks and using treatments, can help to minimize the risk of future infestations.

Types of Wood-Eating Insects

Termites

Termites are one of the most well-known wood-eating insects. They can cause extensive damage to wooden structures, and are often found in homes, trees, and outdoor furniture. There are several species of termites, including destructive termites like Formosan termites.

  • Features:
    • Wings
    • Antennae
    • Social insects

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants, unlike termites, do not actually eat wood. Instead, they excavate wood to create nests for their colonies. They can cause structural damage, especially in moist wood.

  • Features:
    • Winged adults
    • Antennae
    • Larger than other ants

Comparison of Termites and Carpenter Ants

  Termites Carpenter Ants
Eat Wood Yes No
Cause Damage Yes, extensive damage Yes, often in moist wood
Appearance White, soft bodies Dark, hard bodies
Social Structure Colonies Colonies

Wood-Boring Beetles

Wood-boring beetles, like the powderpost beetle and deathwatch beetle, can cause significant damage to wooden structures and trees. These beetles lay their eggs in wood, and their larvae then bore through the wood, feeding on it.

  • Features:
    • Antennae
    • Boring larvae
    • Varied adult forms

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are similar to bumble bees, but they burrow into wood to create nesting sites. They do not eat wood, but their burrowing activity can cause cosmetic damage to wooden structures.

  • Features:
    • Similar to bumble bees
    • Burrows in wood
    • Does not eat wood

Wood Wasps and Horntails

Wood wasps and horntails are another group of insects that can cause damage to wood. They lay their eggs in bark, and the larvae then burrow into the wood, feeding on it. These are not as destructive as some other wood-eating insects, but can still cause issues in trees and wooden structures.

  • Features:
    • Stingless
    • Similar in size to bees
    • Lay eggs in bark

Signs of Wood-Eating Insect Infestations

Tunnels and Galleries

Wood-eating insects like powderpost beetles and termites create tunnels and galleries. These are:

  • Tunnels: Passageways where insects move through the wood
  • Galleries: Chambers in the wood where they feed, lay eggs, and grow

These structures are signs of infestation, especially if combined with other indicators such as sawdust or exit holes.

Sawdust and Frass

Insect activity often produces sawdust-like material and frass. These are:

  • Sawdust: Fine wood particles caused by the insects boring into the wood
  • Frass: Fecal matter left behind by wood-eating insects

Look for piles of sawdust and frass near wood surfaces or furniture as evidence of an infestation.

Exit Holes

Exit holes are small openings that insects create when they leave the wood. They can be found in various sizes, depending on the insect:

  • Powderpost beetles: Tiny exit holes, about 1/16 inch in diameter
  • Termites: Larger exit holes, roughly 1/8 inch in diameter

In general, more exit holes indicate a more severe infestation.

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are a sign of subterranean termites. These termites build mud tubes to:

  • Protect themselves from predators and dehydration
  • Maintain a moist and dark environment

The tubes can be found on foundations, walls, and other structures. Look for these tubes in damp areas near wood and soil.

Swarm and Nests

Some wood-eating insects, like termites and wood-boring beetles, create nests and swarm during certain seasons. Identifying these characteristics can help determine the type of infestation:

Insect Nest Characteristics Swarming Season
Subterranean termites Nests typically in soil, connected to wood via mud tubes Spring months
Drywood termites Build nests directly in the wood (no mud tubes) Late summer and early fall
Wood-boring beetles Lay eggs in wood, creating larval galleries Late spring to early summer (varies)

Examine the area for nests and swarm activity, which can help diagnose the specific type of infestation.

Prevention and Control Methods

Reducing Moisture

  • Ensure proper ventilation in your home to reduce humidity
  • Fix any leakage or plumbing issues immediately

By controlling moisture levels, you can prevent the growth of fungus and rotting wood that attracts wood-boring insects such as Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles.

Proper Storage of Firewood

  • Store firewood away from your home and off the ground
  • Cover firewood with a tarp to protect it from rain

Proper storage prevents infestations and makes it less likely for insects like Long-horned Beetles to enter your home.

Keeping Trees and Plants Healthy

  • Regularly prune and trim trees or plants
  • Inspect them for insect activity or damage

Healthy trees and plants are less susceptible to wood-boring insects’ attacks. Maintaining their health reduces the chances of infestations.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

  • Check wooden structures for signs of insect activity
  • Repair or replace damaged wood promptly

Regular inspections help you detect and address any infestations early, preventing extensive damage.

Using Insecticides and Treatments

  • Use diatomaceous earth as a natural treatment
  • Fumigate infested wood or apply woodworm treatment

Insecticides and treatments can help control existing infestations. Be sure to follow the instructions for safe and effective use.

Comparison Table: Diatomaceous Earth vs. Fumigation

Treatment Pros Cons
Diatomaceous Earth – Non-toxic
– Eco-friendly
– May need reapplication
– Not suitable for severe infestations
Fumigation – Effective for severe infestations
– Provides quick results
– Toxic chemicals
– Costly and may need professional assistance

By following these prevention and control methods, you can protect your home from wood-destroying insects and maintain the integrity of your wooden structures.

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Handling and Repairing Wood Damage

Assessing Structural Damage

When dealing with wood-destroying insects like subterranean termites and wood-boring beetles, it’s important to first assess the extent of structural damage in buildings:

  • Check floors, beams, and structural timbers for signs of damage
  • Identify rotten wood and woodworm damage in both softwoods and hardwoods

Using Filler and Sealants

Once the damage has been assessed, repairs may involve using filler and sealants:

  • Use filler for smaller damage or non-structural areas
  • Sealants can help prevent further damage and maintain structural integrity

Examples:

  • Epoxy-based wood fillers suitable for both interior and exterior repairs
  • Polyurethane sealants to fill gaps and protect against moisture

Replacing Damaged Wood

In cases of extensive damage, it may be necessary to replace damaged wood:

  • Replace structural timbers like joists and beams if they have lost their integrity
  • Consider treating new wood with wood preservative chemicals to prevent future damage

Maintaining Treated Wood

After repairing or replacing damaged wood, proper maintenance is crucial:

Repair Method Pros Cons
Filler & Sealants Quick and cost-effective May not be suitable for extensive damage or structural repairs
Replacing Wood Restores structural integrity More expensive and time-consuming
Maintaining Treated Wood Prevents future damage Requires ongoing attention and care

 

 

Brush Jewel Beetle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ehrenbergi's Jewel Beetle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

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Tags: Jewel Beetle

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4 Comments. Leave new

  • I would cook and eat this one in a heartbeat. Too bad that, overall, commercial-scale farming of wood-boring beetle larvae is impractical. Though I still have hopes for Rhynchophorus…

    Dave
    http://www.smallstockfoods.com

    Reply
  • I have a Bush Beetle at home growing up. Spotted it 3 days ago. Have taken photos every day.

    Reply
  • I was sitting on the front deck as I’m in Northeast Pennsylvania near Milford, and this bug landed on my Walker and at first I thought it was a lightning bug, and then it fell on the deck flooring… it was very quiet and I thought maybe it had expired or something, because he was so afraid(?) I picked him up very gently and put him in a plant that I had growing on the table so he could recover a little more quickly being near leaves. Or at least that’s what I thought. And on the deck and he didn’t move at all. I really thought he had died. But when the sunlight hit the wings it was like a beautiful copper color, and I saw the protruding bug eyes, and I thought what in the world is this thing? I’ve been here nearly 4 years and I’ve never seen this before. I even Just has a crazy thought I had discovered a new species..ha! Ha!
    So I took a picture and found out what you said, it’s a flatheaded beetle. After about 15 minutes I looked around into the plant and he was gone, He was very patient to let me take his picture because he’s a very beautiful beetle. I’m so glad I found your site to find out what the heck I was looking at. His wings and body are so intricate in design, and those bug eyes… and the beautiful color made him an exceptionally pretty bug.
    Thanks for your research on this. I couldn’t wait to find out exactly what I was seeing.
    God bless. Patricia Owens – Pa.

    Reply

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