3 Wood-Destroying Insects That May Be Lurking in Your Austin Home

If you see signs around your Austin area home that point to possible intrusion by wood-destroying insects, then you need to take action now. At Bryan & Bryan Inspections, we perform pest control inspections and services, including those irritating and damage-causing wood-destroying insects (WDIs). There are three types of these insects that can cause millions of dollars of damage a year. Keep reading to learn more about them and the various signs that they are infiltrating your property.

1. Termites

The most problematic WDIs, termites, can be found in all 50 states. There are three types of termites — subterranean, drywood, and dampwood – with subterranean termites being the most destructive. They use their scissor-like jaws to chew through wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There can be as many as two million members in one subterranean colony. That’s a lot of wood that can be demolished by tiny insects!

2. Wood-Destroying Beetles

Just like termites, wood-destroying beetles are also found throughout the entire United States. They are almost as destructive as termites and eat both wood and wood products. The powderpost beetle, which is a specific type of wood-destroying beetle, eats hardwood trees, which is the same type of lumber used to build homes, furniture, cabinets, and more. 

3. Carpenter Ants

While carpenter ants are located across the U.S., they are more commonly found in the cool, damp climates of the northern states. These ants create tunnels through wet or rotted wood where they like to build their nests. Their tunnels can be found in window frames, doorframes, crawlspaces, and under roofs, chimneys, sinks, and bathtubs. Although it can be difficult to spot carpenter ants, if you see small piles of wood fragments or sawdust, your home may be experiencing carpenter ant activity.

Thorough WDI Inspections in Austin

Contact Bryan & Bryan Inspections at (866) 484-8318 to get a quote for our pest control inspections. We also serve the Austin area with our stucco services, mold inspections, new construction inspections, thermal imaging, and more.

Source: Fredericks, Jim. “A Guide to Protecting Your Greatest Investment from Wood-Destroying Insects.” Web article. Bob Vila. Action Media Inc. 19 Oct. 2021. Web. 30 Jun. 2022.

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