Despite wood’s great natural resistance, there are several organisms that feed on it. If the necessary precautions are not taken, those plagues can completely destroy it.
That’s why we’d like to talk to you about the 5 most common pests that affect sawn wood, that is, wood that is mainly used in domestic environments so that you can identify them and act quickly to stop them.
If you want to know more, read on.
Note: here we’ll talk about the plagues that attack sawn or cut wood, we won’t discuss those that affect the wood in the living tree; that’s a different subject and goes out of our scope here.
Most common wood pests
In general, we can say that there are 2 types of agents that attack wood:
- Abiotic agents such as humidity and excessive solar radiation.
- Biotic agents such as fungi and insects (which we’ll talk about in this blog).
1. Fungi that rot wood
First of all, remember that wood is mainly composed of 2 substances:
– Cellulose and lignin. It is important because it explains how fungi attack wood.
Also, fungi are the only agents that rot wood (the others weaken it). Therefore, fungi are the gateway to other plagues.
Fungi only appear when humidity levels are between 20 and 100%.
Likewise, temperature contributes to the propagation of fungi. At 25 ºC is when we’ll find more fungal activity.
Types of wood-rotting fungi
Brown rot fungi
These fungi feed on the cellulose of damp wood, of light color. Then, as they consume the cellulose, they only leave lignin (brown in color).
This causes the wood to turn dark or brown and lose the structure that the cellulose provides. As a result, the wood becomes soft and takes the form of small cubes that crumble easily.
Also, keep in mind that this fungus can attack both the sapwood, or young wood, and the heartwood, or mature wood.
White rot fungi
In this case, fungi feed on lignin and leave only cellulose, which has a whitish-transparent color.
Again, the wood loses its structure and thus becomes very fragile, so it adopts a stringy texture, i.e., it falls apart when touched.
This fungus only attacks the sapwood.
Soft rot or wet rot fungi
This type of fungus is the worst as it attacks both cellulose and lignin.
The wood then loses all of its structure, making it soft and moist to the touch. Here we are left with a completely destroyed wood with no shape.
How to prevent the formation of fungus in wood?
Control humidity as this is the main risk factor for fungi to appear.
Fungi use spores to survive for long periods without feeding; these spores can survive for decades so they will always be in the environment.
However, by controlling the humidity, you’ll keep them away from your home.
Also check the areas with the highest risk of moisture accumulation, such as the floor and ceiling. Likewise, check your furniture, especially outdoor furniture, and keep it dry.
You can also apply waterproofing products that help prevent water from penetrating the wood.
You can also use fungicidal agents, i.e. chemical substances that kill fungi. However, remember to apply these chemicals in a ventilated place and make sure that pets or small children do not get close to them.
Why you must act fast?
If you see mold in the wood or a greenish layer on the wood and you smell a lot of dampness, this indicates the presence of moisture in the wood.
Then, soon you’ll get the growth of fungi that decompose the wood and aside from making it look unpleasant, can destroy it as well.
And it’s one thing if a baseboard gets damaged; it’s annoying, but it’s easily fixed.
However, the situation changes drastically if fungi get rotting on the wood of a beam because the structure of your house or building can be compromised.
In addition, there is a risk of getting sick as the fungi are constantly spreading their spores, so you can develop allergies and other respiratory problems.
Also, rotten wood has a very bad odor and can easily spread throughout a whole area of your home.
How to get rid of wood-rotting fungi?
There are several home remedies to eliminate these fungi.
However, you must evaluate the extent of the fungus. If the fungus is widespread in a beam or in the ceiling, you will most likely have to request the services of a professional.
If, on the other hand, the spread of the fungus is not very large, agents such as borax (boron salt) can help you get rid of this annoying infestation.
Just be sure to clean the wood surface before adding this chemical, because if the consistency of the wood has deteriorated too much (the wood will fall apart in your fingers), you will most likely have to replace the piece completely.
If not, follow the instructions on the borax package, and hopefully, you will have solved the problem.
Xylophagous Insects
Let’s start with xylophagous insects, i.e. those that feed on wood.
These insects can become a real problem; if they affect the structural wood of a building, i.e. the house’s beams or roof wood, they can even make the house fall down.
In addition, another big inconvenience of these pests is that they often go undetected until they have caused major problems.
Keep in mind that, as larvae, these insects act in such a way that they create tunnels while eating the wood and once they reach adulthood, they emerge from the wood to lay their eggs in other places.
2. Wood termites
These insects live in numerous groups within a social stratification similar to ants.
They also have a queen who is in charge of laying eggs (up to 1,000 per day).
Likewise, the queen is protected by the soldier termites and is fed by the worker termites that are in charge of extracting the wood for the whole colony to feed on.
Therefore, due to their large numbers, they can be considered the worst of all wood pests. They are often detected too late, i. e., when little or nothing can be done for the wood.
In fact, termites can pose a serious threat, not only to the wood but to human life because they are capable of deteriorating the beams of buildings such as houses to the point of making them useless and collapsing under their weight.
Moreover, termites are difficult pests to detect because they flee from light.
Why do termites feed on wood?
Termites feed on cellulose, which is the main component of wood.
How do you know if you have a termite infestation?
Before describing the 3 types of termites, we first want you to take into account certain signs that may suggest that your wood pieces are being attacked by these insects.
Look at the color of the wood
It is not usual for wood to be discolored in patches. If there are areas of wood that look lighter or darker, you may be facing a problem.
Remember that natural wood can change color but the usual is a uniform change, that is to say, all over the surface.
Pay attention to details
If for some reason you feel that the wood is lighter or sounds hollow when you tap it, it is better to examine it. You may have a termite infestation eating it from the inside.
Examine the entire piece of wood thoroughly
Look for signs of tunnels, channels, or “holes” in the wood as this is where the adult termites come out. In fact, some flying termites lose their wings when trying to exit through channels.
Therefore, if you see wings on the wood or inside the channels, you can be almost sure that you have a pest in the wood.
Moreover, there are 3 types of termites:
- Drywood termites.
- Wet wood termites.
- Subterranean termites.
Drywood termites
These termites consume wood with minimum moisture content (between 5 and 6%). That explains why they usually attack wood that has no contact with the ground or other moist places.
Therefore, these are the termites that we can find in the wood inside our house.
On the other hand, these termites are among the most geographically widespread so they can be seen almost anywhere in the world.
How do termites damage wood?
As the larvae extract the wood, they form tunnels through which they pass, so when you look at the wood on which they have fed you see excavations and sawdust remains.
Therefore, the damage done by termites is visible inside the wood and not on its surface, which is why termite infestations in dry wood are difficult to detect.
How to prevent a dry wood termite infestation?
Ventilating spaces is vital to prevent termite infestations, the airflow makes it difficult for fungi to proliferate on the wood.
Note: remember that fungi are the main risk factor for pests such as termites to infest wood.
Damp wood termites
Unlike dry wood termites, these termites are like wood with a high concentration of moisture.
This is why we’ll find that infestations occur on exterior woods, as they are exposed to rain regularly enough.
Also, damp wood termites are most common in areas such as the western United States and southern Canada, although they can sometimes be found in more southern locations such as northwestern Mexico.
How do termites damage wood?
Dampwood termites act similarly to dry wood termites. However, the cavitations inside the wood are usually larger.
How to prevent a damp wood termite infestation?
Reduce moisture as much as possible. In general, no infestation usually occurs in treated wood so it is advisable to invest in treated wood.
In addition, it is always recommended to do maintenance to the wood by filling the holes that adult termites leave when they come out through the wood.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites can attack any type of wood, i.e., dry or damp wood, although they prefer damp wood.
In addition, these termites can attack wood that is above ground, as they are able to build tunnels and pathways from the ground into the wood.
An example of this is found in power poles, where termites can reach through previously constructed tunnels; at the same time the insects are protected from sunlight while destroying the wood, so they are quite difficult to find.
How do termites damage wood?
As subterranean termites move from the soil into the wood it is common to find traces of mud inside the cavitations.
Also, the damage remains inside the wood and not on the surface, so the effects on the wood cannot be seen by the naked eye.
However, traces of mud, feces and dirt can be seen inside when the wood is opened.
How to prevent subterranean termite infestation?
As with the other 2 species, the key lies in treating the wood with varnishes and insecticides.
In addition, humidity control always helps (where possible).
How to solve a termite infestation?
You probably have more than one piece of wood in your home, right? That would be the main problem.
Since termites reproduce quickly, it is not difficult for them to move from one piece of wood to another. So don’t try to remove the pieces that you think are infested because by doing so you may actually spread the problem throughout your home.
It may not be the most economical option, but the best is to call the pest control of your city or town: the eradication of a pest is a serious matter that should be carried out only by professionals.
On the other hand, some insecticides and antifungals can be used on the wood or in the rooms where the pieces are to be placed.
However, it is best to get advice before using them because they may be made from chemicals that can be toxic to you, your family, and even pets.
Also, whenever you apply any of these substances make sure that there is sufficient ventilation in the spaces so that you avoid the accumulation of potentially toxic aerosols.
3. Woodworm
Woodworm refers to the larvae of xylophagous insects known as wood boring beetles or wood borers. Woodworms, like termites, eat the wood from the inside of the pieces, which is why they are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
So you’ll only realize you have problems with woodworm until the larvae mature into an adult insect that bores into the wood pieces, leaving a visible hole on the surface.
From there, the adult insect will look for a new piece of wood to lay its eggs that will later hatch into larvae, continuing the cycle.
Then, remember that these xylophagous insects have wings so they could enter your home through a window and look for untreated pieces of wood. In a short time, you may be dealing with an infestation and you won’t even know it until it’s too late.
How to know if you have a woodworm infestation?
It’s a good idea to periodically check the wood pieces you have at home.
Take your time and thoroughly inspect the surface of the wood.
If you find small circular holes of about 1 or 2 millimeters with wood dust or kera next to them, we are sorry to tell you, that you probably have a woodworm problem in your wood.
Remember that woodworm affects any piece of wood so you’ll have to check tables, chairs, desks, doors, window frames, floors, beams, and ceilings.
Also, in some cases, you may hear noises coming from inside the wood, which usually increases at night.
How to prevent a woodworm infestation?
As with termites, the best way to protect wood is through prevention; that is why it is necessary to treat wood with protective varnishes.
In addition, it is always good to ensure clean and ventilated spaces to reduce as far as possible the exposure of the wood to excessive humidity.
You should plug the exit holes with glue so that new adult beetles cannot lay their eggs there.
Types of woodworm
Common woodworm
These are the larvae of the furniture beetle and generally only affect the dry wood of coniferous trees such as pine.
They usually cause more damage to structural timbers such as beams. However, they can also infest untreated furniture.
Females of this species lay their eggs in holes left by other beetles on the wood surface.
There, the larvae can spend up to 4 years feeding strictly on wood until maturity, by which time they have already formed canals through the wood through which they can exit and thus leave a new hole with small piles of sawdust around it.
Large woodworm
This is perhaps the most damaging woodworm for wood because, unlike the common woodworm, these larvae usually attack the wood of both coniferous and hardwoods.
That is why we can find them in pieces of wood made from pine, but we must also be careful with wood species such as oak, cherry, or beech.
In addition, this insect’s larvae are larger so when they emerge in their adult form they leave larger holes than the common woodworm (between 6 and 10 millimeters in diameter).
Likewise, they cause more deterioration in the wood and it is common to find a greater amount of wood dust around the exit holes of the insect.
How to get rid of woodworm?
That depends on the type of infestation you have. For example, for a single piece of furniture, you might be able to solve the problem with insecticides.
Large scale infestation
If the infestation is on a large scale, that is to say, if there are several sources of woodworm in places such as the floor, the ceiling or a column or beam, you must contact a pest control service.
It may be expensive but at least you solve the root of the problem.
Localized infestation
On the contrary, if the woodworm affects only one piece of furniture, we can remove that piece of furniture from the house, either to the garden or just move it away from other pieces of wood.
This is to avoid any beetle to escape to a nearby piece of furniture or wooden structure when manipulating the piece of furniture.
Once the piece of furniture is in a clear place we must also make sure that there is enough ventilation, since many of the insecticide products on the market come in aerosol and can be toxic.
In the case that the wood of this furniture is already treated we will have to remove the varnish or paint (if you don’t know how to do it, it is better to ask an expert for help).
After having removed the varnish and paint, we must now clean the surfaces thoroughly so that the insecticide impregnates well into the wood (always follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
Finally, we let the insecticide act and then apply products that harden the damaged wood.
Finally, once we are sure of having applied the insecticide in each hole, we proceed to seal them.
Note: always get advice from someone who knows before proceeding with pest control; if you don’t know what you are doing, you can worsen the problem.
4. Wood-boring weevils
These brown beetles, which are no more than 5 millimeters in length, lay their eggs in the wood that has already been weathered by fungus.
Then, in about 2 weeks, the eggs transform into larvae that consume all the wood in their path for 6 to 12 months.
Remember that the weevil only feeds on wood that has already been digested by fungi (this is why the main enemy to defeat is fungi).
Weevils thrive in places with high humidity and poor ventilation such as basements and termites or woodworm can easily move from one piece of wood to another.
How can weevils be prevented from spreading?
Weevils like to avoid adverse weather conditions, especially drought and heat.
Therefore, they always look for cool or even cold places. For that reason, you should avoid leaving the wooden parts uncovered and abandoned in dark and poorly ventilated-places.
How to get rid of wood weevils?
As always, the method of eradicating the pest will depend on the extent of the infestation.
There are home methods that may work when the affectation is localized in small pieces. For example:
- Applying heat to wood parts to kill the insects.
Likewise, if heat treatment is not possible or does not work, insecticides can be used, whether for home or industrial use, the latter should only be used by professionals who know about wood to prevent the treatment from damaging the wood.
5. Carpenter ants
Ants are insects, yes, but they are not xylophagous, i.e. they don’t feed on wood.
However, they can cause a lot of damage to this material as they chew it to build their nests.
Usually, we can find these ants in places such as:
- Gardens.
- Forests.
- Fallen or dead tree trunks.
- Wooden doors.
- Beams.
- Floors.
- Roofs.
All of the above places have one thing in common: lots of moisture.
And the thing is that these insects prefer to make their nests in damp wood, which is easier to chew. Thus, after chewing the wood, they leave a trail of sawdust at the entrance to the colony.
How to prevent ants from colonizing your home or furniture?
Most likely, ants have come to your home because they are looking for food that is usually sweet, whether it is sugar, honey, or fruit.
However, meat can attract them as well as pet food. For that reason, if you want them away from your home, you need to keep everything clean and tidy.
Be very careful not to leave food leftovers out in the open and always clean surfaces thoroughly so that there is no food residue (especially sweet food) to attract them to your home.
Something very similar happens with humidity, since ants like it because it provides a suitable environment to build their colonies.
Therefore, check for water leaks, and broken or leaking pipes. This will keep the ants away.
Large numbers can cause great devastation
So, if you see ants leaving or entering doors or beams or any piece of wood in your home, you must act quickly. Over time the problem will only increase and the damage ants do to wood is serious.
Also, keep in mind that these ants can attack, so children and pets are at greater risk of getting hurt.
How to eliminate carpenter ants?
The eradication of carpenter ants begins by destroying their nest, so the most important thing is to find their location.
Keep in mind that while many insecticides are available on the market, applying them directly to a group of ants will not fix the problem and, in fact, could make it worse because a child or pet could come in contact with these often toxic substances.
If you can access the nest you may be able to apply the insecticide directly, which could kill a large number of the insects.
What matters, however, is that you are able to kill the queen who lays the eggs, otherwise it will be only a temporary solution.
You can also leave “traps” consisting of leftover sweet food with poison in it for the ants to carry back to the colony and kill many more. The problem is that this method can take a long time and there is no guarantee that it will work.
Finally, if nothing has worked, as we have said before, it is better to go to a pest control professional and solve the problem at the root.