How Can Wasps Ruin Wood?
WouterGenerally, wasps are not dangerous to humans. However, their stings can cause an allergic reaction, and they can cause serious structural damage to wooden structures. If you have noticed wasps around your home, it is best to act quickly. There are several types of wasps that will attack and ruin wood.
Wood wasps are often metallic dark blue in color. They have an elongated cylindrical body and a long spine on one end of the body. Their bodies are covered with a fungus that produces saliva. When flying, wood wasps make a buzzing sound.
Adult wood wasps leave a clean-cut hole at the end of their gallery when they emerge from the wood. These holes are typically around 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
Wasps also produce nests that last for a year. They chew wood to strengthen their nests. When the nest is disturbed, the wasps will attack. These nests may spread to other homes in the area. They can be difficult to remove and should be handled with care.
If you have a wood wasp infestation, it is important to locate the nest. If you find it, use zappers to kill the flying adults. You may also need to reapply insecticides. After removing the nest, you should have a qualified surveyor inspect your home.
If the wood is heavily infested, you may need to replace it. However, most of these infestations are cosmetic rather than structural. If you don’t have the money for a new roof or new windows, you should consider repairing the damaged wood. You should also take care not to store firewood inside your home.
