Wood Destroying Insects In Richmond, VA
Carpenter Ants, Termites, Carpenter Bees, and Powderpost Beetles are native to Virginia, and they will destroy your home or business’s wood. Luckily we provide FREE INSPECTIONS if you give us a call.
Powderpost Beetles, Carpenter Ants, And Carpenter Bees Can Damage Your Home Just As Much As Termites
Here in Richmond, VA, there are more than just termites looking to damage your home and business’s wood. Powderpost Beetles are more widely distributed than termites and in terms of damage, they are the second most damaging insect to your home. They attack dry and seasoned wood. Richmond, VA, is also home to Carpenter Ants. They aren’t as prominent in Virginia since they prefer cool, damp climates. But, they can still be a problem for your home. They create tunnels in windows and doorframes, crawlspaces, under roofs, sinks, and bathtubs. They are also hard to spot with the naked eye. Finally, Carpenter Bees are large insects that bore into wood to create nests. Solitary bees generally aren’t a problem, but continual nesting over years can result in bad structural damage. These insects can be much harder to locate and identify than termites, so if you see sawdust or holes in your wood, give us a call for a free inspection.
Signs You Have Wood Destroying Insects Invading Your Home
Powderpost Beetles
The Powderpost beetle is small (1/4 inch long), which makes it hard to recognize them invading your house. Most homeowners start to recognize them when small holes appear in hardwood with fine sawdust falling from them. The beetles lay larvae in the wood which then feed on the hardwood as they work their way out. These beetles can also attack baskets, furniture, and trim.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants are not something you should ever brush off. Carpenter Ants don’t cause easily noticeable damage. Carpenter Ants chew on the inside of wood instead of the outside. You will usually only see their tunnel holes that lead to their nests. What makes them harder to spot is the sawdust called “frass”, generally gets pushed into the tunnels, concealing the damage signs from your view.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter Bees don’t make large tunnels in the wood but instead create large nesting chambers. They don’t eat the wood like the Powderpost Beetle’s larvae. The bees tunnel around 1 inch deep into the wood and leave sawdust and excrement piles on the ground near the holes. Inside the wood, the chamber is around 4 – 6 inches long and over time, the offspring create many holes that damage the structure.
Other Signs Your Home Has Wood Destroying Insects
- Live or Dead Insect Specimens
- Mud Tubes, Shelter Tunnels
- Tiny Holes In Wood
- Visible Damage to Wood and Structures
- Hollow, Blistering, or Darkening Wood
- Peeling or Bubbling Paint
- Insect Droppings or Frass
Wood Destroying Insects In VA
Our Wood Destroying Insect Inspections Can Save Your Home From Damage
Wood destroying Insects cause costly damage to structures. At GreenShield, we beat these insects, not your pockets. GreenShield treats for: Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Acrobat Ants, Termites, Old House Borers, Powder Post Beetles & just about every other wood destroying pest.
If you are looking to sell, buy or refinance a home, Virginia law requires a Wood Destroying Insect inspection. GreenShield offers thorough inspections and all the a paperwork required to do so.
Wood Destroying Insects In Virginia
Our WDI Inspection, Prevention, And Removal Program Will Keep You Safe From Thousands Of Dollars In Property Damage
Species Identification
The first thing we do when we come to your home is inspect and identify the wood destroying insects. We will check all the regular signs we listed above and more. If the insects is a Carpenter Ant we will have to look around the siding, windowsills, and doorframes of the house and find their tunnels. Carpenter Bees will usually burrow large holes in decks and trees nearby, while the Powderpost beetles will destroy furniture, floorboards, and other wooden parts of your house.
Further Prevention
After the initial infestation is treated, we want to prevent the infestation from returning. Carpenter Bees are protected pollinators but we can dust the holes they’ve created. Then we can treat the impacted wood with a residual product for long-term protection. We can assist with removing dead trees, limbs, and other stored wood in your yard that can attract the pests. Special lighting can also assist to discourage them. Finally, further Carpenter Ant invasions can be prevented by repairing moisture damaged wood in your home.
Save Money
Our WDI inspection, prevention, and removal program allow you to stay on top of these invasive insects BEFORE they cost you thousands of dollars. The best eco-friendly way to protect your home is prevention. But, should Carpenter Ants, Bees, or Powderpost Beetles begin eating away at the wood there are some eco-friendly ways to get rid of them. We can remove infested wood, treat problem areas with temperature, eliminate scent trails, bait them out, and destroy nests.
Have The Best Wood Destroying Insect Protection In The State Of Virginia In 3 Easy Steps
Identify the Type of WDI
Click the button below to speak with one of our certified technicians. They will assist and talk you through what could be the problem.
Free Inspection of The Situation
Your technician will come out to your home or business and inspect the situation. Once they have seen the issue, you will receive a free quote.
Removal of the Beetles, Ants & Bees
Greenshield Pest Control will treat your property so you or your business can get back to operating as normal.