Wood Destroying Insects and Garage Space
Homeowners pay a lot of attention to the possibility of damage to their home and foundation and sometimes skip the potential for damage to a garage or outbuilding. That is because garages have cement floors rather than foundations, but plenty of wood-eating pests will take up residence in a garage. There are plenty of support beams that make a perfect meal.
What kind of Wood Destroying Pests live in Garages?
Termites – One of the most widely distributed pests in the US. Termites cause billions in damages to homes and outbuildings each year. You find termites in garages, but they prefer the underside of buildings to the vertical support beams found in garages. Houses and outbuildings with wood floors are prime targets for termites.
Carpenter Ants
These craft masters don’t mind a garage space. They will chew their way into support posts and then continue to carve out a home. Carpenter ants cause similar damage to that of termites. They need the inner wooden space to create a home. All of their chewing weakens the structural support that holds up garage walls and even the roof.
Carpenter Bees
You don’t find carpenter bees inside of the garage very often unless there is a way inside for them. They will drill into unfinished wood, such as rafter supports and beams if they have a standard route into the garage. These are semi-social insects, so the queen is mostly a solitary bee. She will return to the same nest year-after-year. Her daughters may also share the same entrance and build their galleries.
You may also find carpenter bees along the roofline of a garage. They are known to drill into eaves and siding. Be sure to inspect the eaves for damage and pay close attention to the soffit vent screens. Small critters, such as carpenter bees, will use those openings to get inside and cause damage.
Wood Boring Beetles
Not usually a pest of garages, but they can cause damage. Most come already in the wood. If the garage is new and the wood is not fully cured before installation, it can harbor wood-boring beetles.
One of the most common types of pests for the garage area is sowbugs. While they only eat a little, their presence indicates something far more damaging. Certain pests, such as sowbugs and earwigs, require a moist environment. If you see them in your garage, likely water or moisture is building up, which can lead to water damage. If you see sowbugs or earwigs, be sure to investigate that location for water. While both are pests, they are also indicators of water damage, and seeing them helps prevent issues such as dry rot, mold and mildew, and water damage.
For a pest-free garage, give us a call. We can spot wood-destroying insects and pests and remove them. Our rates are affordable, and our service is comprehensive. We provide quality pest control services throughout the Byran and College Station communities.
