The main wood damaging or structure damaging insects in our region in the midwest are wood-boring beetles, particularly Powderpost Beetles. The larvae of these beetles bore into wood, creating tunnels and causing damage to the material. Very small exit holes in timbers, fine powder or frass, are common signs of a powderpost beetle infestation. It is important to provide treatment to try to interrupt the life cycle of this damage causing pest insect as soon as signs of activity are noticed. 

Besides Powderpost Beetles, Carpenter Ants and Carpenter Bees can also play a role in damaging structures. Sawdust-like frass, rustling sounds in the walls, or structural weakening may indicate a carpenter ant presence while carpenter bee damage may be harder to notice as it generally occurs near rooflines on homes or businesses with wood facia and soffits. 

Easter Subterranean Termites are the only species of termites in the upper midwest. Other species may periodically appear if a colony is accidentally transported into the area with infested furniture or other wood material. It is very rare for there to be a termite infestation in our region.