Pest Control in Hutto | Wood-Destroying Pests (Updated 2025)

Wood-Destroying Pests

These wood-destroying pests not only destroy houses but also commercial properties in Hutto. Wooden structures have been compromised, requiring costly repairs, and safety hazards have emerged too. Burrowing causes toxicity, besides hindering property owners in securing investments from permanent damage. Detection and elimination of these wood-destroying pests are necessary.

Most Common Wood-Destroying Pests in Hutto

1. Termites

Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes spp.)

• The most destructive termites in terms of hundreds of billions of dollars in damage they cause in a year.
• They construct mud tubes to store moisture and travel from soil to wood structure.
• They usually infest wooden foundations, crawl spaces, and moist areas around a house.

Drywood Termites (Cryptotermes spp.)

• Their existence above the ground does not require soil contact as subterranean termites do.
• They eat dry wood, including furniture, hardwood floors, and wall structures.
• Create small holes in the wood and leave behind pellet-like droppings.

2. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)

• They do not eat wood; they burrow it.
• Moist or rotting wood is best for them, usually found in attics, within wall voids, or hollow doors.
• Large wing-bearing reproductive ants can be seen swarming indoors.

3. Powderpost Beetles (Lyctidae, Bostrichidae, Anobiidae)

• Little beetles which infest hardwoods and softwoods, leaving fine, powdery sawdust.
• Larvae bore through wood, progressively destroying structures.
• Usually furniture, flooring, or structural wood infested.

4. Wood Borers (Hylotrupes bajulus-Old House Borers)

• Will attack mainly old or unprocessed wood like those on barn beams or antique furniture.
• Inside wood, larvae would survive and feed for several years before emerging.
• Known by oval exit holes and frass (fine dust) near infested wood.

5. Bark Beetles

• Primarily attack trees and wooden structures with bark still attached.
• Can weaken trees resulting in structural hazards in yards and wooded areas.
• Most active on stressed or decaying trees.

Signs of Wood-Destroying Pest Infestation

1. Evidences of Wood Damage

• Hollow wood with maze-like patterns.
• Degraded or weak wood structure, especially in areas prone to moisture.

2. Presence of Frass or Sawdust

• Fine, powdery frass (sawdust) around baseboards, on wooden furniture, or in attic spaces.
• Small piles of wood shavings, or droppings made near infestation sites.

3. Mud Tubes (For Termites)

• Pencil-width mud tubes running along walls, foundations, or crawl spaces.
• Indicates termite movement between soil and wood structures.

4. Clicking Sounds or Rustling Noises

• Carpenter ants and termites make faint clicking sounds when chewing through wood.
• This sound often resonates within walls or wooden furniture.

5. Insect Swarming with Abandoned Wings

• Swarming of winged termites or carpenter ants near windows, doors, or other bright exits.
• Hordes of deserted wings were noted around these specific points of entry.

Prevention and Control of Wood-Destroying Pests in Hutto

1. Reduce Moisture Levels

• Fix leaking pipes, faucets, and roofs to prevent wood decay.
• Ensure proper drainage away from the foundation.
• Use dehumidifiers in basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

2. Treat and Seal Wood

• Apply wood preservatives or borate treatments to vulnerable wood structures.
• Seal cracks, crevices, and exposed wood with paint or sealant.

3. Remove Wood Debris and Rotting Structures

• Keep firewood, mulch, and wooden debris away from the home's foundation.
• Remove tree stumps and deadwood from the yard.

4. Routine Property Inspections

• Conduct professional pest inspections at least once a year.
• Check crawl spaces, attics, and wooden fences for signs of infestation.

5. Use Baiting Systems and Insecticides

• Install termite bait stations around the perimeter of the home.
• Use non-repellent liquid termiticides to treat soil and wooden structures.

6. Professional Pest Control Services

• Licensed pest control experts provide in-depth inspections and targeted treatments.
• Use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to prevent reinfestation.
• Offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance plans.