Termites In Roof Beams

Our photo above right illustrates wood rot found in the same floor joist where there was extensive termite damage.

Termites in roof beams.

Drywood termites live and feed inside wood. One of the most common signs of termites especially drywood termites is termite droppings or frass. They sit directly on top of foundation walls piers and other supports before the first piece of wood is installed see figure 1 3 at left. Formosan termites a kind of subterranean termite can cause extensive damage to your home in just two years.

Termite rafter ceiling damage when it comes to termite damage in ceilings drywood and subterranean termites are the most common culprits. Termite colonies range in size from as low as several hundred individuals to as high as a couple of million. Metal termite shields are widely used atop foundations in the southern united states and in tropical climates as a physical barrier to termites. Unlike drywood termites subterranean termites typically build their colonies in the soil.

Compared to a subterranean termite a drywood termite does not utilize its feces in order to construct tunnels. If you need to repair minor termite damage around your home you can use a structural epoxy wood filler to shore up the wood. So basically termite damage can be fixed. Drywood termites can swarm directly into your home through any entrance and establish a colony in your ceiling or attic space.

Drywood termites can even establish colonies underneath wood shingles. We have found termite damage carpenter ant activity and powder post beetle damage all in the same structure on occasion even in the same wood beam or joist. But it s difficult for termites to damage a home beyond repair. But if structural beams are compromised fixing the damage is difficult.

However before you apply the epoxy you need to take specific steps to clean and preserve the surviving wood or it will eventually rot from inside. Pre home buying termite inspections all of the home damage previously mentioned can be avoided by an inspection before the purchase of a home. Subterranean termites on the other hand need soil to survive. Found termites in roof termites are insects closely related to cockroaches but behaviorally similar to ants and bees in that they organize into social communities with complex divisions of labor.

However subterranean termites will build colonies in any area where they have access to wood.