Powder
Post (Lyctid) Beetles
Powder
Post Beetles are often found in manufactured products in relatively
new homes. They can be introduced as eggs or larvae in firewood,
improperly dried wood or wood that has been stored. Hardwood flooring,
furniture, door and window frames and decorative trim are particularly
susceptible to attack. Their relatively short life cycle, high
initial populations and high survival rate of offspring often
result in rapid and expensive damage. The larvae are responsible
for almost all damage and feed entirely within the wood. Most
infestations are not discovered until adult beetles emerge through
the wood surface. Emergence holes are round, 1/32" to 1/8" in
diameter and the frass is loosely packed with the feel of fine
talcum powder- thus, their common name of powder post beetle.
Lyctic
powder post beetles will attack wood with moisture levels of eight
to thirty two percent but prefer a range of ten to twenty percent,
typical of that found in most homes. The larvae cannot digest
cellulose but eat the starch and other cell contents such as sugar
and protein.
The
greatest period of adult activity occurs in late winter or early
spring. The adults conceal themselves in cracks and holes in the
wood during the day and become active
at night. They are strong fliers and may be attracted to lights.
Indoors, they may be seen crawling on window-sills, floors, furniture
and other surfaces. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Anobiid
Beetles
Anobiid
beetles are one of the few beetle species that will attack both
hardwoods and softwoods. Wood, such as maple, beech and poplar
is particularly susceptible to attack. Anobiid exit holes are
round and about 1/8" in diameter. Larvae feeding in softwoods
produce numerous oval pellets which have a gritty feel. Infestations
usually begin in crawl spaces or other areas where wood is near
the ground. Damage may be heaviest near access openings, such
as doors and vents, where the infestation first started. High
moisture levels in the wood will speed the development of these
beetles and, under favorable conditions, the cycle of re-infestation
can occur within 1 to 2 years. Damage is usually detected in homes
older than ten years since infestations
develop slowly. Adult beetles are active only at night and may
become numerous in early to late spring. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Old
House Borers
In
some areas of the country, the old house borer is second only
to termites in damage to structural wood. Found from Maine to
Florida and west to Michigan and Texas, the behavior of old house
borers is far different than their name suggests. Old house borers
prefer to attack recently seasoned wood and are typically found
in newer homes. Infestations are often introduced in firewood
or through the use of lumber that contains eggs or small larvae.
Usually, noticeable infestations are limited to a few wood members,
however, adjoining sound boards may also be infested by young
larvae. Depending on conditions, damage may not be detected until
adults emerge three to ten years after the initial infestation.
As
opposed to most other beetle species, old house borers prefer
dry wood containing ten to twelve percent moisture content. Both
the adult exit holes and the feeding tunnels of large larvae are
oval and about 1/4" in diameter. Galleries near the surface cause
lighter colored streaks to appear on the wood surface. The frass
is a coarse,
tightly packed powder. One typical characteristic of an old house
borer infestation is the noise older larvae make while feeding.
Often this chewing noise is what will first alert the homeowner
that an infestation is present. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Brown
Rot
Brown
rot fungi feed on the wood's cellulose, a component of the wood's
cell wall, leaving a brown residue of lignin, a substance which
holds the cells together. Infested wood may be greatly weakened,
even before decay can be seen. Advanced infestations of brown
rot are evidenced by wood browner in color than normal, tending
to crack across the grain, shrink and collapse. When dried, wood
previously infested will turn to powder
when crushed. Often, old infestations of brown rot which have
dried out are labelled as "dry rot." This is really an incorrect
term since wood will not decay when dry. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
White
Rot
When
white rot attacks wood it breaks down both the lignin and cellulose
causing the wood to lose its color and appear whiter that normal.
Wood affected by white rot normally does
not crack across the grain and will only shrink and collapse when
severely degraded. Infested wood will gradually lose its strength
and become spongy to the touch. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Dry
Rot or Water-Conducting Fungi
Most
wood fungi are unable to conduct water very far and can only attack
moist wood. However, Poria incrassata, occasionally called dry
rot or the water-conducting fungus, will decay wood which cannot
be attacked by typical decay fungi. This type of fungi can transport
water for several feet through large root-like structures called
rhizomorphs. Once established, it can quickly spread through a
building and destroy large areas of flooring and walls in as little
as a year or two.
Typically,
infestations of Poria begin in earth-filled porches, damp crawl
spaces and basements where wood is in contact with the soil, moist
concrete or bricks which are a constant source of water. At first,
yellowish mycellial fans grow over the surface of joists and sub-floors,
or in protected areas. Irregular root-like rhizomorphs may appear
on foundations, framing, subflooring and other attacked wood.
The rhizomorphs are dirty-white when young, but turn brown to
black with age. They are typically 1/4" to 1/2" wide, but can
be an inch or more in diameter in old infestations. They are often
hidden in concrete, masonry or behind wood structures. Fruiting
bodies do not always form, but when they do they are found on
well rotted wood and are flat, up to 1/2" thick and pale olive-grey
with a dirty white-yellow rim when young. With age they become
dry and turn brown to black. The under surface is covered with
fine pores.
When
wood with this type of decay dries, it usually shrinks severely
and cracks across the grain. Such cracks or depressed areas in
painted woodwork, may be the first evidence of a poria infestation.
Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Molds
and Stains
Molds
and stain fungi are sometimes mistaken for decay, and while they
may discolor wood they cause no structural wood damage. The presence
of molds and stains, however, is a sign that conditions are favorable
for decay fungi and that a preventative treatment may be necessary.
In addition, molds and stains can increase the capacity of wood
to absorb moisture, opening the door to attack by decay fungi.
Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
treatment
Treatment
for Wood Boring Insects
Best
Pest Control Services uses a Borate Solution product when treating
for wood boring insects and fungi. Call
us for an estimate at (617) 625-4850
or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
Treatment
with Borates (Boric Acid)
Borates
are highly effective as a pesticide. Borates use a unique approach
for the control of wood boring beetles. When applied to bare wood,
Borates deposit micro-crystals of boric acid in the wood, poisoning
the beetle larvae's food source and interrupting their life cycle.
Borates eliminate active beetle infestations and will provide
long term protection against re-infestation.
Control
of Decay Using Borates
Treatment
with Borates should not be considered as a total replacement for
moisture control. Leaky plumbing, drain spouts and other moisture
problems should always be repaired in addition to treatment. Wet
crawl spaces should be vented and moisture barrier installed when
deemed necessary. Structural wood members that are no longer sound
must be replaced. Although Borates will kill decay fungi, it will
not add strength to rotted wood.
Advantages
of Borates
- Quick
control of active decay
- No
odor or color
- Easy
and convenient to use
- Superior
wood penetration
- Can
be used any time of the year
- Approved
for internal and external use
- Extremely
long-term residual control
- Low
toxicity to humans and pets
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Treatment
for Wood Decay Fungi
If
the decay hazard is high, select the heartwood of decay-resistant
species or use wood properly treated with a good preservative.
Eligible conifers include Pacific yew, juniper, redwood, baldcypress,
and western red cedar. Durable hardwood species include osage
orange, black locust, red mulberry, catalpa and black walnut.
Build on a well-drained site. Use proper grading to prevent water
from seeping under the house. Install effective drain tile, roof
overhang, gutters, and downspouts. Place no untreated wood within
18 inches of the ground.
Provide
adequate cross ventilation beneath buildings to eliminate dead
air pockets. Install two square feet of opening for 25Ê linear
feet of wall. Dense bushes or other plants should not be placed
in front of these ventilators.
Install
a vapor barrier on the soil surface to cause soil moisture to
condense on the barrier and return to the soil rather than condensing
on the floor and above joists. Satisfactory barriers can be made
by covering the soil with asphalt roofing paper or polyethylene
sheets.
Repair
of Decayed Buildings
First determine the source of moisture and remove it. If adequate
ventilation and soil drainage are provided and all contacts of
untreated wood with the soil or moist concrete or masonry are
broken, decayed wood will dry out and further decay will be stopped.
When
making replacements, cut out at least one foot beyond the rotten
area. Avoid placing new lumber in contact with old, decayed wood.
Replacement lumber should be treated before installation. Remodel
to provide more ventilation and better design rather than simply
replacing decayed lumber. Call
us for more information and an estimate at (617)
625-4850 or (781)
641-4040 or email
us today.
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