Wood-Destroying Insects

Check out our guide on detecting if your home is suffering from a wood-destroying insect infestation.

What Are Wood-Destroying Insects?

Wood-destroying insects cause damage to wood, building materials and furniture. They have the potential to harm moisture-damaged, decaying and even structurally sound wood that’s both new or old. If wood-destroying insects are not completely eliminated in a timely manner, their damage can lead to significant and costly structural problems. Common wood-destroying insect types include carpenter ants, carpenter bees, termites, wood-boring beetles and powder post beetles.

Are Wood-Destroying Insects Dangerous?

Wood-destroying insects are dangerous not because of their bite, sting or creating health concerns for people but due to the extensive and expensive structural damage that they can cause to homes and other structures built from wood by tunneling through, feeding on or nesting inside. Beyond that, their damage occurs over a long period of time, usually weeks, months or even years before the signs of destruction are discovered. By this point extensive damage has usually already been done.

Why Do I Have A Wood-Destroying Insect Problem?

Wood-destroying insects can enter homes through small cracks and crevices in a home’s foundation or through spaces found around exterior walls, windows and doors while foraging for sources of food and shelter. They can also accidentally be introduced to homes in timbers, wooden furniture, barn wood, antique wood items or in other wooden objects that are infested with their eggs or larvae.

Where Will I Find Wood-Destroying Insects?

Outdoors, you can find wood-destroying insects in many different places, including wooden structures, fence rails, fallen trees, tree stumps, in wood piles and underneath mulch. After making their way into homes and other buildings, they will infest structural wood, hardwood floors, barn wood, wooden furniture, window sills and wooden trim. They can also become very problematic for log homes.

How Do I Get Rid of Wood-Destroying Insects?

If you have any wood-destroying insects in or around your home and are impacting your daily life, the best method for controlling existing populations and prevention is with the help of a qualified professional. At Mid America Pest Control, our dependable technicians provide year-round services to rid your home and property of wood-destroying insects. We are committed to using innovative and eco-friendly solutions to remove household-invading pests while preventing their return. To learn more about removing wasps from your home or business throughout Greater Tulsa, contact us today to schedule your free 58-Point pest inspection.

How Can I Prevent Wood-Destroying Insect Infestations In The Future?

The best way to stop problems with wood-destroying insects and other household-invading pests is to seek professional pest control from Mid America Pest Control. We offer a variety of different services, including termite control. In addition to our professional services, the following tips can help to prevent problems with wood-destroying insects:

Eliminate as many entrance points as possible
Seal cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundation and exterior walls and spaces found around utilities such as wire, pipes & ducts
Caulk any gaps found around windows, doors and AC units
Remove structural wood from your home that has been damaged by water
If bringing any wood into your home - make sure it is thoroughly dried and stored properly
Paint or stain bare wood in your home or on your property
Inspect all antiques and limit the use of old wood from barns inside your home