Wood Pests. 3/30/10

Understanding size Lumber is not actually the size that it is named. Example: The common 2 x 4 is not 2 x 4 inches. Until the advent of the modern lumber companies when people made there own lumber the wood was 2 x 4 inches. Now a 2 x 4 is actually 1 ½ x 3 ½

So other material would also be different from what it is supposed to be. All boards are typically ½” shorter than they are named. 4 x4 is really 3.5x3.5, 2x6 is really 1 ½ x 5 ½ Only reason we still use this odd system….tradition, don’t like change.

Enemies of wood The Termite: These are the most destructive wood eating insects in the USA

The best thing to do is to plan against them when planning and building your house. If you live in a prone area insect resistant wood is a must No wood should contact the soil. There are two types of termites – Subterranean – Dry wood Subterranean termites enter a house from the ground and travel in tunnels under the woods surface that they carve out themselves. These are also the most destructive. Dry wood can fly and may enter a house by just landing on it. Brace yourself this is grossgross

Here is a horror story

Carpenter Ants Common in Michigan: They nest in trees, dead wood, wood piles etc. Avoid putting these against a structure. They do not eat the wood, instead they eat plants and other insects. However they make their homes in wood. Treatment- Insectasides.

Beetles (not the rock group) Powder post Beetle: second to termites in the amount of damage it can cause. Enter a house through infested wood AKA firewood. If house is infested it needs to be professionally treated: surface sprays will do little to them.

Carpenter ants

Deathwatch Beatle (cool name) Larger than powder post beetle Most likely found in woods with a high moisture content Therefore common in basement and unheated parts of a house Treament includes removing moisture from enviroment and same treatment as powder post

The Carpenter Bee The carpenter bee makes its nest in wood Does not feed in wood Looks similar to honey/bumble bees Sawdust around entry site reveals its location Use sprays Does not sting????? Also make there homes in masonry… Super pollinators

Number 1 destructive problem Water Water = Rot, Mold, Mildew, Dry rot, and rust Homes are not water proof!!! – They are designed to shed water.

Rot Rot is a general term for wood that has begun to revert back it original state…..Soil Dry rot is where wood has started to rot then dries out but continues to decay. Cyclic…. Wet rot is just that, wet wood that is decomposing.

Molds 100’s of different types. Most commonly found in bathrooms Black rot is the worst because most people are allergic to it. Do not use bleach….bleach is a last resort. Remember mold is living and can adapt.

Exposure to the mycotoxins present in Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra can have a wide range of effects. Depending on the length of exposure and volume of spores inhaled or ingested, symptoms can manifest as chronic fatigue or headaches, fever, irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and throat, sneezing, rashes, and chronic coughing. In severe cases of exposure or cases exacerbated by allergic reaction, symptoms can be extreme including nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.mycotoxinsStachybotrys chartarum What does Black Mold Cause

Rust Rust is the process of metal converting back to its original state. Attacks unprotected metal surfaces. Can be stopped with oil/paint/ or other protective coatings.

Assignment On a sheet of lines paper Have you even come across any of these destructive problems?? Tell Me about it What do you think is the most common problem around the Clio Area?? And In Michigan in general? Can you build your house to prevent these problems?