mjr6550 Posted September 22, 2015 Report Posted September 22, 2015 I performed a structural inspection today and this was identified as termite damage. The smooth channels look more like carpenter ants, but the frass makes me think this is some type of beetle. I mainly want to confirm that it is not termite damage. BTW, no drywood termites in this area. Click to Enlarge 18.6 KB Click to Enlarge 26.04 KB Click to Enlarge 18.46 KB
Jim Katen Posted September 22, 2015 Report Posted September 22, 2015 In my area, that would be Pacific Dampwood Termites. In your area, I doubt it. Do you even have dampwood termites there?
Bill Kibbel Posted September 22, 2015 Report Posted September 22, 2015 What's the shape of the pellets?
mjr6550 Posted September 22, 2015 Author Report Posted September 22, 2015 Cylindrical. Maybe about twice as long as the diameter. I could sent you a larger photo if you would like.
mjr6550 Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Posted September 23, 2015 A couple more photos. Old house borers is a possibility. The pellets look a lot like photos of drywood termite pellets, but I have never seen them and they would be rare for this area. From what I have read they eat across the grain. This wood was channeled along the grain. Click to Enlarge 37.2 KB Click to Enlarge 23.39 KB
ghentjr Posted September 23, 2015 Report Posted September 23, 2015 Google Drywood Termite Frass Carpenter ants sometimes attack termite infestations. The last photo looks like carpenter ant damage except for the frass.
John Kogel Posted September 24, 2015 Report Posted September 24, 2015 I don't think you can say termites always cut across the grain, They can cut across, but will run with the grain if the wood tastes good that way. There's not enough clues in those pics to make a definite call.
mjr6550 Posted September 25, 2015 Author Report Posted September 25, 2015 Received feedback today from the buyer. An exterminator looked at the damage and said it is from wood boring beetles. The buyer had no other information.
ghentjr Posted September 25, 2015 Report Posted September 25, 2015 I don't think so! No beetle holes in any of your pictures. https://www.google.com/search?q=wood+bo ... Vx3uru4%3D
rdhutch Posted September 25, 2015 Report Posted September 25, 2015 That is not wood boring beetles. That frass is from Drywood Termites. Under a strong magnifying glass or microscope the fecal pellets look like this: Click to Enlarge 7.26 KB
mjr6550 Posted September 26, 2015 Author Report Posted September 26, 2015 Look at the photo on this Webpage. The channels and pellets look similar. Old house borers are not uncommon here. Nobody I have talked to has ever seen drywood termites here. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/old-house-borer
ghentjr Posted September 27, 2015 Report Posted September 27, 2015 Drywood Termites Just as the name suggests, drywood termites live in dry wood. Unlike many other termite species, they do not need contact with the soil to survive. This termite species can tolerate dry conditions for long periods of time, since it receives all of the moisture it needs from the wood it consumes and the metabolism it uses to digest the wood. Drywood termites commonly target the wood in your home?s structural timbers, framing, furniture and hardwood flooring. Wood consumed by drywood termites appears very clean and smooth ? as if the wood had been smoothed by sand paper. Drywood termites can infest several different areas in your home, forming separate colonies in your basement, attic or porch. They are usually found in warmer climates that do not reach freezing temperatures in the winter. However, this species of termite can survive in northern climates in homes with air conditioning.
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