Found throughout the United States in a variety of species. The tunnels they excavate in wood are clean. almost sandpapered in appearance, unlike termite tunnels.

These are among the largest of ants and are vicious biters. Workers vary greatly in size from 1/4" to 3/8" in length. Usually they are black, but may have some brown coloration. They're long-legged and move swiftly..

Termites are extremely important in nature. They recycle fallen trees and other materials back into soil. We need termites, however, a termite cannot tell the difference between a pine log and a pine board our your home. Therefore, homeowners must understand termites and how they can be controlled.

Carpenter bees look like bumblebees except the Carpenter bee has a (fuzzy) rear area of body with yellowish hair and the bumblebee has a (shinny) rear area. Carpenter bees build nests in wood, where the Bumblebee build their nest in the ground. Carpenter Bees will bore perfectly round and smooth holes in wood which most often make a 90 degree turn, making long interior tunnels, and with the grain of the wood to develop their larvae. The entrance hole is usually round, but the "galleries" run with the grain of the wood. Common sites they choose to bore into include eaves, siding, window sills, under decks and railings. They prefer untreated wood or well-weathered wood. Look for piles of sawdust under the holes. You will often see them going in and out.

The old house borer belongs to a group called cerambycid beetles, which are also known as long-horned beetles. Most long-horned beetles are wood borers in the larval stage, but only the old house borer is a serious pest in homes. Adult old house borers range from 5/8 to 1 inch in length. They are brownish black in color, with many gray hairs on the head and forepart of the body. The segment just behind the head has a shiny raised bump on each side, giving it the appearance of a face.

Second only to termites in destroying wood. They leave small, round holes in wooden articles along with a residue of fine, powder-like dust.