Carpenter ants categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2025-12-11 12:16 Carpenter AntPhoto by: Unknown Biology Carpenter ants are large ants and can be 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch in length. They are black or red and black in color. They are a pest because they commonly make nests in homes. Carpenter ants do […]
Deathwatch beetles (Anobiids) categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2025-12-15 03:05 Evidence of Anobiid or deathwatch beetle feeding.Photo by: K. Grey, D. Suomi Biology Deathwatch beetles or anobiids are reddish to chocolate brown beetles ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. These beetles are rarely seen by people, but fresh piles of granular […]
Moisture ants categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2025-12-31 01:00 Moisture antsPhoto by: Sharon Collman Biology Moisture ants are small ants (about 2/16 – 3/16 in length as workers). Color varies, but light yellowish-brown is the most common. They are largely nuisance pests in that they find their way into kitchens and feed […]
Powderpost beetles categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2025-12-31 02:31 Powderpost beetlePhoto by: Unknown Biology Powderpost beetles, or lyctids, feed on starch in hardwoods, such as oak, cherry, or ash, and they will also feed in bamboo. These insects are usually brought into a home in hardwood flooring, trim, plywood, and wooden articles […]
Termites categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2025-03-23 11:34 Dampwood termite workerPhoto by: Ken Gray Biology There are two native termites in our area: The dampwood termite and the subterranean termite. The dampwood termite lives and feeds in wet or rotting wood. It does not nest in dry sound wood. Dampwood termites are […]
Wood-rotting fungi categories: Fact Sheet Wood Destroying Pests revision date: 2026-01-23 03:20 Photo by: Art Antonelli Biology In the Pacific Northwest, fungal organisms are the primary cause of wood decay. Wood-rotting fungi require moisture which can result from inadequate ventilation, faulty plumbing, and roof leaks, as well as splashing from improperly maintained gutters or downspouts […]