Unwelcome Guests, Part 1
UNWELCOME GUESTS
Part One - Wood-boring Insects & Fungi
Mold and mildew can occur in your home at almost any time of the
year, if the moisture content of building materials is twenty
percent or greater. (You should start to notice mouldy odors.) A
good plan of attack begins with decreasing dampness and
increasing ventilation. Maintain a negative slope away from your
house; and ensure that evestroughing, down-spouts and drains are
free of debris, and properly directing water away from your
foundation wall.
Wood-decaying fungi attack wet wood, or wood in extremely humid,
unventilated areas. They can cause serious damage to wooden
structures. To inhibit rot, remove the source of moisture and
improve ventilation, the same as for mould and mildew. Wet rot
is characterized by dark, spongy wood, and members infested with
dry-rot become brittle and cracked.
Subterranean termites are found in Southern Ontario and British
Columbia, where they feed on wood and can damage houses. Termite
colonies nest underground, foraging for wood to satisfy their
appetite for cellulose. Termites can travel above ground, and
often into houses, via shelter tubes constructed of sawdust and
saliva. Termites are similar to ants, but with straight bodies
and antenna.
Carpenter ants and powder-post beetles are also common in
Southern Ontario. They don't ingest wood as termites do, however
colonies nesting in wood can cause considerable damage. Look for
sawdust and frass (excrement) near exit holes in wood. Carpenter
bees are similar in appearance to bumblebees, and nest in
exterior spaces such as behind fascia, soffits or other trim.
Make your house less accessible, by avoiding wood-earth contact
around the house and keeping exterior trim in good repair. Keep
shrubbery trimmed back, remove tree stumps and inspect regularly
for shelter-tubes or any signs of damage, especially in dark,
unventilated areas. Pay particular attention to wooden decks and
stairs, and areas where the structure rests on the foundation
wall, and especially in crawl spaces or any area with an earthen
floor. Probe wooden structures with a sharp tool, as termites
often leave no surface indications.
Look for shelter tubes, seal cracks in foundation walls and
check where pipes enter exterior walls. Termites swarm to create
new colonies closer to sources of cellulose; so be on the
lookout, especially in the spring, for large numbers of flying
insects or discarded wings.
If you suspect a colony, especially of termites, contact your
local environmental agency, or call a licensed, professional
exterminator.