Do Wasps Damage Wood?
WouterWhether you live in a home or a business, you may be wondering if wasps damage wood. These insects burrow into wood to construct their nests. While these pests do not kill wood, they can cause major structural damage. Wasps and their nests can crack and weaken your walls and floors. They also create a breeding ground for dampness and can cause mold.
Adult wood wasps are not aggressive and do not attack timbers in your home. However, the larvae of these insects will chew through wood to reach the surface, where they lay eggs. These eggs are then injected into decaying wood. It takes about two years for the larvae to become adults.
If you think that wasps may be in your home, you should inspect your walls, ceilings, and floors for holes or gaps. These holes are known as emergence holes. These holes are usually scattered throughout the house, but you may have them in your attic, in wall cavities, or beneath floorboards.
Wood wasps can be identified by their red or amber coloring. They also have a thick waist. They are also known for their ovipositor, a long, slender tube used to lay eggs. The female wasp drills the ovipositor into the wood, about three quarters of an inch deep.
The female wood wasp lays between one to seven eggs. The eggs include a fungus that softens the wood. The larvae will eat through the wood and create cellulose, which is needed to construct the nest.
