Inspect for Wood-Boring Insects
Why It Matters
Carpenter bees, powder post beetles, and other wood borers weaken structural wood silently. By the time you see damage, it is extensive.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Flashlight, Screwdriver. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the inspect for wood-boring insects
Look for small round exit holes, fine sawdust (frass), and damaged wood in structural timber, siding, and trim.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If any signs of active infestation, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Flashlight
- Screwdriver
Community Tips
Tap suspected wood-boring areas with a screwdriver handle to listen for hollow sounds, which indicate active tunnel networks from termites or carpenter ants; follow up by probing slightly with the screwdriver tip to confirm softened wood that crumbles rather than resists. Orkin's wood-damage assessment guides recommend this two-stage listening-and-probing method because it distinguishes between old damage and active infestations before professional treatment becomes necessary.
Do not delay inspection of wood-boring damage found near load-bearing beams, as termites and carpenter ants can compromise structural integrity within 3-5 years of undetected activity; even small galleries in joists or sills can reduce wood strength by 30-40% and create expensive repair scenarios that exceed $10,000 in some cases.
A Bosch GLM 50-27 CG Digital Laser Measure ($120-150) enables homeowners to precisely map the extent and location of suspect damaged areas for documentation or contractor estimates, eliminating guesswork that often leads to incomplete treatment or missed infested sections on subsequent inspections. ---