Wood-Destroying Organisms Identification Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 5 Section V of the Pest Bear

Wood-Destroying Organisms Identification

Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

Chapter 5Section V

of the

Pest Bear & AffiliatesService Personnel Development Program

2005

Non-Subterranean Termites

There are three groups of termites, other than subterranean termites. They are drywood, dampwood, and powderpost termites.

The drywood termite is the most common of these groups, but damp-wood termites may be found in limited areas.


Dry-wood Termites: Family KalotermitidaeFamily Kalotermitidae

The drywood termite can generally be found living in undecayed wood which has a very low moisture content.

Drywood termites do not require contact with the soil to live.

Drywood termites bore directly into wood and make their nests in the wood itself.


Drywood Termites (cont.)

They can cause serious damage to movable wooden objects such as furniture, because they do not require contact with the ground

Drywood termites are social insects that live in colonies.

The colonies contain kings, queens and soldiers. There is no worker caste in the colony.

Work on the colony is performed by immature termites (nymphs) before they become adults.

King and queen termites perform the reproductive functions of the colony.


Drywood Termites (cont.)Physical Appearance

SoldiersJOB: Guard the colony against invaders such as ants.

COLOR: white and wingless with large brownish heads and jaws

Kings and QueensJOB: Perform reproductive functions

COLOR: light to dark brown

SIZE: 1/3” to 1” in length

Nymphs (immatures)JOB: Perform the work on the colony

COLOR: white and wingless

NOTE: Nymphs are the most numerous caste.

Soldiers and nymphs remain inside the wood at all times.


Dry-wood VS. SubterraneanTermites

Cut across the grain of the woodExcavate large chambers which

are connected by small tunnels

Used chambers and tunnels are kept clean. Excreta and other debris are stored in unused chambers or cast out through small openings in the wood.

Excretal pellets are hard and have six distinct concave surfaces on the sides, only the ends are rounded

feed along the grain in the soft portion of the wood

Create galleries lined with a muddy fecal material.

Excretal pellets are usually incorporated into carton tubes. They are usually moist and contain lignin, the relatively indigestible portion on the wood.

Drywood Termite Subterranean Termite


Drywood termitesHow do they get in?

Drywood termites usually enter the wood from a crack or crevice before boring into the wood.

Entry may occur at a crack in the wood itself or may be the joint between two pieces of wood or maybe the space underneath the roofing paper or sheathing paper.

Because of their ability to live without contact with soil, dry-wood termites may be carried into a geographical location where they are not usually found. All pest control operators should be acquainted with their habits for that reason.


Eating and Living Habits of Drywood Termites

Termites eat the cellulose obtained from wood. Protozoa in the termites’ digestive tract convert the cellulose to usable food.

Drywood termites are most commonly found infesting woodwork in buildings and furniture.

Drywood and other non-subterranean termites stay within the wood or other material on which they are feeding. Those that are actually feeding are hardly ever seen.

Galleries or tunnels in the wood made by drywood termites cut across the grain of the wood and destroy both soft spring wood and the harder summer growth.


SIGNS of INFESTATIONof DRYWOOD TERMITES

King and queens emerge during daylight hours at certain times of the year to establish new colonies.

The appearance of winged termites in the home is an indication of probable infestation; however, they may be coming in from the outside.

Wings break off shortly after the termites swarm and because they are attracted to light at this stage, their wings are often found on window sills.

Drywood termites excrete pellets of partly digested wood. These can be found on surfaces beneath the infested wood.


A sign of advanced infestation is surface blisters. Drywood termites sometimes tunnel close to the surface giving the wood a blistered appearance.

Infestations may be detected by tapping the wood every few inches with the handle of a screwdriver. Damaged wood sounds hollow - a papery rustle sound indicates tunnels just beneath the surface.

SIGNS of INFESTATIONof DRYWOOD TERMITES


Preventive Measures against Drywood Termites

Carefully inspect used lumber, furniture and other wooden articles, especially from coastal areas in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Drywood termites may enter a building through the attic or foundation vents, under or directly through shingles or under eaves. All windows, doors and vents, especially those in the attic, should be screened with 20-mesh screen.

Paint gives exposed wood protection. Before painting all cracks and crevices should be filled with putty or plastic wood. This should protect for about 5 years.

Commercial pressure treated wood will give protection for a much longer period and will prevent drywood termite attack.

Heart wood of redwood, bald-cypress, mahogany and Spanish cedar are naturally resistant to termite. They do become more susceptible after several years of weathering.


Drywood Termite ControlIf found and detected in the early stages and damage is

localized, a drywood termite colony may be controlled by removing and replacing the damaged wood or by the application of an insecticide. Be sure to carefully inspect the entire building, including furniture.

If the infestation is too extensive and advanced for local treatment, it will be necessary to tent and fumigate the entire building. Tenting is expensive and leaves no residual protection, it is usually the only alternative when many termite colonies are present.

Fumigation can only be performed by a licensed pest control operator.


Dampwood Termites

The dampwood termites group contains some of the largest termites.

Dampwood termites do not require contact with the soil to obtain moisture, but they cannot live in dry wood. The wood must have a high degree of moisture.

Dampwood termites do not keep their galleries clean. Their pellets can be found throughout their tunnels in infested wood.


Florida Dampwood TermitesProrhinotermes simplex

Colonies are made up of reproductives, soldiers, and workers (nymphs).

The Florida dampwood termite nests in damp wood.


Florida Dampwood TermitesPhysical Appearance

SoldiersSIZE:1/2” long

COLOR: dark brown in color, wingless, mandibles without teeth and head wider than pronotum, oval shaped with side convex.



SIZE: 1/2” to 1” long, have 2 pair of wings of equal length with 2 pigmented veins and no median vein.

Nymphs (workers)JOB: Perform the work on the colony

COLOR: white to cream with no wings

SIZE: 1/2” long


SIGNS OF INFESTATION of FLORIDA DAMPWOOD TERMITES

Small six-sided fecal pellets in dry situations

Muddy excrement in wet situations

Hollow-sounding wood with galleries cutting across the grain of the wood.


Control of the Florida Dampwood Termite

For non-chemical control, construction should be designed to eliminate moisture and water leaks. Wood near soil should be treated with a preservative.

For chemical control, treat wood with termiticides registered for wood treatment.


Southern Dampwood Termites

SoldiersSIZE:1” long

COLOR: dark brown in color, wingless, mandibles with teeth, head elongate, and antennae with 3rd segment same size as 2nd and 4th.



SIZE: 1/2” to 1” long, have 2 pair of wings of equal length with 3 pigmented veins and median vein with numerous cross veins..

Nymphs (workers)

JOB: Perform the work on the colony

COLOR: white to cream with no wings

SIZE: 1/2” long

The Southern dampwood termite nest in dampwood and attack both soft springwood and harder summer growth.


SIGNS OF INFESTATION of SOUTHERN DAMPWOOD

TERMITES

Small, hard dry fecal pellets pushed to outside of wood work.

Hollow-sounding wood with galleries cutting across the grain


Control of the Southern Dampwood Termite

For non-chemical control, construction should be designed to eliminate moisture and water leaks, and wood near soil should be treated with a preservative.

To chemically control, treat wood with termiticides registered for wood treatment.


Anobiid Powder-post Beetle

Anobiid Powder-post Beetle Larvae

Adult Anobiid Powder-post beetle

Adult Anobiid Powder-post beetle


Anobiid Powder-post Beetle

1/16 to 1/4 inch long

reddish-brown to grayish-brown in color

Body is cylindrical, elongated and covered with fine hairs

Head is covered by pronotum from top view

Last 3 segments of the antennae are usually lengthened and broadened

Adult Physical Characteristics


Anobiid Powder-post Beetle (cont.)

This beetle’s life-cycle is 1 to 10 years.

Larvae Physical Characteristics

Life Cycle

White in color

“C” shaped with rows of small spines on dorsal side

Anobiids infest seasoned softwood and the sapwood of seasoned hardwoods.


Anobiid Powder-post Beetle (cont.)

CONTROL

Localized Infestation - treat wood with a residual spray; if well advanced, fumigate the structure.

Non-chemical control - may use sanding, filling cracks then painting, varnishing or waxing. Repair wood if damage is extensive.

Signs of Infestation

Emergence holes are 1/16” to 1/8” in diameter and round

Cigar-shaped frass found loosely in tunnels and small mounds outside of emergence holes


Bostrichid Powder-post Beetle

Bostrichid Beetle Larvae

Adult Bostrichid BeetleAdult Bostrichid Beetle


Bostrichid Powder-post Beetle

1/8” to 3/4” in length

reddish-brown to black in color

Bodies are elongated and cylindrical with roughened thorax.

Head is deflexed and concealed by pronotum from top view

Antennae are short with 3 or 4 enlarged saw-toothed terminal segments.



Bostrichid Powder-post Beetle (cont.)

This beetle’s life-cycle is 1 year.


Life Cycle

White in color

“C” shaped with no spines on the body

Bostrichids infest seasoned softwood and hardwoods; especially unfinished floors,

window sills, furniture, etc.


Brostrichid Powder-post Beetle (cont.)

CONTROL

Localized Infestation - treat wood with residual spray; if well advanced, fumigate the structure


Signs of Infestation

Emergence holes are 1/8” to 3/16” in diameter

Sawdust-like frass sticks together and can be found tightly packed in galleries but not in entrance holes.


Lyctid Powder-post Beetle

Lyctid Powder-post Beetle Larvae

Adult

lyctid

Powder-post

Beetle

Adult lyctid Powder-post Beetle


Lyctid Powderpost Beetle

1/4” in length

brown in color

Bodies are elongated and slightly flattened.

Prominent head is not covered by pronotum.

Antennae have a 2 segmented terminal club.



White in color

“C” shaped with 8th abdominal spiracle enlarged


Lyctid Powderpost Beetle (cont.)

This beetle’s life-cycle is 6 months to 4 years.

Life Cycle

Lyctids infest the sapwoods of hardwoods; mainly ash, hickory, oak, maple and mahogany

Signs of Infestation Emergence holes are 1/16” to 1/8” in diameter Fine powder-like dust is found loosely packed in

tunnels and in small piles outside of the emergence hole


Lyctid Powderpost Beetle (cont.)

CONTROL

Localized Infestation - treat wood with residual spray; if well advanced, fumigate the structure



Old House BorerOld House BorerOld House Borer Larvae

Adult Old House Borer

Adult Old House Borer


Old House BorerOld House BorerThe larvae of a long-horned beetle (old house borer)

sometimes infests seasoned softwoods in Florida.

Eggs laid in crevices of the bark of cut logs, the larvae require 3 to 5 years or more to mature.

Larvae are white, segmented and have an enlarged, brownish head.

Larvae bore through the sapwood making irregular galleries.

If it is quiet, their feeding may be heard as a clicking or rasping sound.

Beetles emerge through an oval hole about 1/4 inch in diameter.


Old House BorerOld House BorerAdult beetle is grayish-black, 1/2” to 3/4” in

length with several white markings on the wing covers and long antennae.

Re-infestation in buildings is not common.

Old House Borer ControlOld House Borer Control Follow the outline for powder-post beetles for

localized infestations. Control is difficult in large timbers, because you

can’t get the insecticide deep enough into the wood.

If the infestation is not confined, fumigate the entire structure.


Carpenter Bees


Carpenter BeesCarpenter Bees 3/4” to 1” long3/4” to 1” long They closely resemble bumble bees except that They closely resemble bumble bees except that

their abdomen is shiny metallic greenish-black, their abdomen is shiny metallic greenish-black, bumble bees abdomen is very hairy.bumble bees abdomen is very hairy.

They sometimes nest in solid wood such as They sometimes nest in solid wood such as weather boarding, railings, supports and trim of weather boarding, railings, supports and trim of buildings.buildings.

Nests are built in the form of tunnels 3 to 6 inches Nests are built in the form of tunnels 3 to 6 inches deep in the wood.deep in the wood.

The entrance hole about 1/2 inch in diameter.The entrance hole about 1/2 inch in diameter. The holes are very clean, can appear to have The holes are very clean, can appear to have

been made by a drill.been made by a drill. Damage is seldom very extensive.Damage is seldom very extensive.

3/4” to 1” long3/4” to 1” long They closely resemble bumble bees except that They closely resemble bumble bees except that

their abdomen is shiny metallic greenish-black, their abdomen is shiny metallic greenish-black, bumble bees abdomen is very hairy.bumble bees abdomen is very hairy.

They sometimes nest in solid wood such as They sometimes nest in solid wood such as weather boarding, railings, supports and trim of weather boarding, railings, supports and trim of buildings.buildings.

Nests are built in the form of tunnels 3 to 6 inches Nests are built in the form of tunnels 3 to 6 inches deep in the wood.deep in the wood.

The entrance hole about 1/2 inch in diameter.The entrance hole about 1/2 inch in diameter. The holes are very clean, can appear to have The holes are very clean, can appear to have

been made by a drill.been made by a drill. Damage is seldom very extensive.Damage is seldom very extensive.


Carpenter BeesCONTROL

Carpenter BeesCONTROL

They can be controlled by blowing a small amount of dust into the holes.

After a few days, plug the holes with plastic wood, putty or a similar material.


Other Wood-destroying OrganismsBamboo Powderpost Beetle Dinoderus

Minutus

•1/8” in length, cylindrical brown beetle.

•Primarily infests bamboo furniture, curtains and ornaments.

•May also be found in stored grain products or spices.

Lead-cable Borer Scobicia declivis

•Cylindrical, reddish-brown beetle, 1/4” in length.

•Attacks the lead sheathing of aerial telephone cables. Where the lead is penetrated, moisture enters, and a short circuit occurs.

•It will also attack solid wood, with larvae feeding upon the wood for about nine months before pupating.


Anobiidae FamilyFurniture Beetle Anobium punctatum

•Infests furniture, as well as structural timber.

Deathwatch Beetle Xestobium

rufovillosum

•Infests building timbers in poorly ventilated areas where moisture tends to collect.

Xyletinus peltatus•Infests crawl space timbers in the southeast US

•Infestations may become so serious that loss of structural strength to sills, joists, and subflooring areas occurs.


Characteristics of the Anobiidae Family

They lay eggs in cracks and crevices of seasoned wood, when they hatch, young larvae burrow into the wood where they will live and tunnel for a year or more. Adults bore to the surface of the wood and escape.

Mature larvae are slightly curved, wrinkled, and have tiny hairs on the body. They have 3 pairs of short legs. Their mandibles are usually toothed on the inner edge. Length of larvae are 1/4 to 1/2” in length.

Adults are small beetles, less than 1/3”. They vary from red to blackish-brown. The dorsal view of adults, the widest point of the thorax is slightly forward of the base, which tapers slightly backward and toward the midline, this will give the thorax a rough, diamond-shaped outline.

Some anobiids are able to digest wood.

Anobiids infest all types of seasoned wood, but are usually more serious pests of sapwood or softwoods.

The life cycle is one year or more depending on the species involved and the environmental conditions.


Bark Beetles and Timber Beetles Family Scolytidae

Scolytids are small, cylindrical beetles which have elbowed antennae that bear a large expanded club. The club appears to consist of a single segment which is much wider than the preceding segments.

Larvae do not have legs. Beetles in the Scolytidae family that should be of interest to the

pest management field: Bark beetles, timber beetles, and ambrosia beetles.


Bark Beetles

Excavate extensive galleries immediately beneath the bark on the surface layers of wood.

May create problems in log cabins, park shelters and similar structures made of roughhewn wood in which the park is left intact or in which small areas of bark are left in place.

They are also common in rustic lawn and porch furniture and firewood brought indoors during winter.


Timber Beetles

They excavate tunnels within solid wood. Some timber beetles get nourishment directly from the

wood while others feed upon fungi which they cultivate within the galleries.

Timber beetles may be troublesome when they emerge from improperly seasoned wood used in hardwood floors or in decorative paneling or molding.

The good news is that the emerging beetles cannot reinfest the dried wood or bark, and they cause no loss of strength in the wood.


Ambrosia Beetle


Ambrosia Beetles Derived their name from the fact that the larvae feed only

on ambrosia fungus which grows in moist, usually green, wood.

The adult beetle introduces the fungus into their tunnels and wherever the fungus grows the wood is stained blue, black or brown.

The stained wood around the tunnels and holes are the key to identifying ambrosia beetle damage.

Damage is similar to powderpost beetles. It is important to know the difference because powderpost can reinfest the structure and ambrosia beetles cannot.

If ambrosia beetles are found indoors, they probably came from firewood. The attack ends shortly before or after enter the home so no control is needed.


Flat-headed or Metallic Wood Borers

Active infestations of flathead borers are rarely encountered in structures, but wood damaged by the larvae is often encountered.

Adults will not reinfest the structural timber. Adults are hard-shelled, boat-shaped beetles having bright colors

and a metallic luster. Thus the common name metallic borers. They are strong fliers and actively seek weak or injured trees to

infest in the spring and summer months. Larvae are white to yellow, legless grubs that have a conspicuous

widening and flattening of the thorax just behind the head. They tunnel in and under the bark and eventually move into the

sapwood and hardwood of dead or dying trees. Larval tunnels are broadly oval, being about three times as broad

as high, and are tightly packed with fine frass.


Documents

Wood-Destroying Organisms Identification Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 5 Section V of the Pest Bear