Common Wood Eating Insects

Small white insects that resemble ants but are closer to cockroaches. The most pervasive wood destroying insect in North America. They cause more structural damage than all other species combined due to colony size and reproduction rate. Termites are the true xylophages because they actually eat and digest wood as their primary nutrition source. Most common in southern states.

Carpenter Ants

Common all over North America, particularly active in the East and Northeast where humidity is high. Do not eat wood like termites. Instead, they tear pieces away to create cavities for their colony. Prefer moist, damp, damaged, or decaying wood that is softer and easier to hollow out.

Carpenter Bees

Unlike termites or carpenter ants, carpenter bees are not social insects with a queen. They are solitary but populations can grow into large numbers. Developing bees create additional nesting chambers inside wooden structures, making them more like a multigenerational family. Several generations can cause extensive damage.

Formosan Subterranean Termites

Colonies exist underground and can grow to contain millions of termites. Move upward toward wooden structures connected to soil. By the time they reach a building, populations can already be in the millions, causing massive damage in a very short time.

Asian Subterranean Termites

Invasive species from East Asia discovered in Florida in the late 1990s. Arrived aboard ships carrying wooden products. Unlike some species, they feed on live healthy trees by eating the outer layer, effectively girdling and killing trees.

West Indian Drywood Termites

Prefer dry wood rather than damp or decaying wood. Larger than subterranean termites. Live only in wooden structures they feed on, not underground. Take longer to cause damage because colonies start from a single flying termite swarm.

Powderpost Beetles

Over 70 species. Adults lay eggs in dead wood; larvae bore in until pupating. Infestations go unnoticed until adults emerge. Can be released from milled wood used in construction.

Wood Boring Weevils

Recognizable by long snouts. Least problematic species because they only eat wood infected with a specific fungus. Such wood is discarded and not used in production.

Bark Beetles

Rarely find way inside homes but extremely damaging to pine trees. Leading cause of pine tree decay in several US areas. Look for injuries with oozing resin on bark.

Old House Borers

Prefer dead softwood used in construction. Particularly damaging to structures. Can remain inside wood for up to 15 years before discovery.

Deathwatch Beetles

Lay eggs in tree bark; larvae bore in after hatching. Larvae can spend up to 10 years pupating before adults emerge. Infested wood can release adults into structures.

Horntail Wasps

Also known as wood wasps. Females lay eggs in wood cracks; larvae feed for 2-3 years before emerging as adults. Create tunnels as they consume wood.

Exit Holes

Small round holes in wood surfaces

Sawdust

Piles of fine wood particles

Insect Frass

Droppings that look like sawdust

Water Damage

Moisture attracts many species

Stained Wood

Discoloration or blistering

Clicking Noises

Sounds from inside walls

Preventative Treatment

Treat wood and property with residual pesticides to create a barrier that deters insects from selecting your home for their colony.

Create Distance

Maintain space between foundation and wood piles, debris, and tree stumps. Remove dead or decaying wood to prevent termites moving to your structure.

Control Moisture

Wood destroying insects prefer moist, damp, or damaged wood. Check for leaks and repair them promptly to make wood less attractive.

Inspect Incoming Wood

Check all incoming wood for signs of insects to ensure there is no contamination being brought into your property.