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.

One of the most common signs of termites especially drywood termites is termite droppings or frass. Subterranean termites on the other hand need soil to survive. However subterranean termites will build colonies in any area where they have access to wood. This sign of infestation is unevenly and is always searched for during termite inspections.

Metal termite shields are widely used atop foundations in the southern united states and in tropical climates as a physical barrier to termites. Termite rafter ceiling damage when it comes to termite damage in ceilings drywood and subterranean termites are the most common culprits. 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.

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. Termite damage inside a home can consist of structural beams 2 x 4 studs floor and ceiling joists drywall hardwood floors window and door frames around the chimney eaves fascia and wood siding. If you need to repair minor termite damage around your home you can use a structural epoxy wood filler to shore up the wood. But if structural beams are compromised fixing the damage is difficult.

But it s difficult for termites to damage a home beyond repair. Termite colonies range in size from as low as several hundred individuals to as high as a couple of million. Pre home buying termite inspections all of the home damage previously mentioned can be avoided by an inspection before the purchase of a home. Drywood termites can swarm directly into your home through any entrance and establish a colony in your ceiling or attic space.

They can establish colonies inside ceiling rafters roof beams eaves and other wooden structures associated with your roof. 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. 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. Formosan termites a kind of subterranean termite can cause extensive damage to your home in just two years.

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.