Anyone know what this is?

Originally Posted By: reborn
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



I found what looks like pest damage in an attic during an inspection today, but it’s not like anything I’ve seen before. The wood was pretty deteriorated and I could stick a screwdriver an inch in at some points. I called for an evaluation by a pest specialist and recommended repair/replace to the damaged 2x6’s, but I’d still like to know what the cause of this is…


http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mountainryan/album?.dir=/b100

I couldn't figure out how to upload these to NACHI. Sorry.


Originally Posted By: jhagarty
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



How old is the home?


It could be Powder Post beetle.


--
Joseph Hagarty

HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com

Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865

HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



jhagarty wrote:
It could be Powder Post beetle.


If the wood looked like it was hit by a shotgun (lots of small holes, about 1/8" diameter), probably Powder Post Beetles like Joe said.

If the wood has fewer, but larger holes (sort of oblong and about 3/8" or so diameter) it may be Old House Borers.

Either can totally destroy the wood, leaving a fine powdery like substance behind.


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Originally Posted By: reborn
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Joseph,


It's a 57 year old brick home.


Originally Posted By: msheckler
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



reborn wrote:
I found what looks like pest damage in an attic during an inspection today, but it's not like anything I've seen before. The wood was pretty deteriorated and I could stick a screwdriver an inch in at some points. I called for an evaluation by a pest specialist and recommended repair/replace to the damaged 2x6's, but I'd still like to know what the cause of this is...

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mountainryan/album?.dir=/b100

I couldn't figure out how to upload these to NACHI. Sorry.


To me this looks like termites. How much damaged are is there? Respond to msheckler or email for quote. ffs@megaswap.com
Monica


Originally Posted By: afernbaugh
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



This could be “dry wood” termite damage.


Regards,



Alan Fernbaugh


Five Star Inspection Services


Baton Rouge, La.

Originally Posted By: rpaul
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



I looked like termites to me.


Originally Posted By: jhagarty
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Ryan:


How many joists were effected? It does not appear to be Termite damage from the photos provided.


--
Joseph Hagarty

HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com

Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865

HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.

Originally Posted By: rsmith6
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Joe,


This looks like squirrel or rat damage to me.


Bob


Originally Posted By: rpaul
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Joe,


You are right. after I printed and blew them up. It looks like either something was hungery or the one looks like just a splinter of the board.


I was looking at the white substance that is usually left from termites in this area.


Rick


Originally Posted By: reborn
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Joe,


There were 3 or 4 joists in a row that were affected about the same distance from the outside wall. This was in an attic that was poorly vented at best (2 small ridge vents, screened) so would the rodent issue still apply? I was able to stick a screwdriver about an inch or more at some places and the wood was deteriorated much in the same way that termites leave things.


Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Ryan,


With that small of a resolution, even after greatly increasing the resolution they were still blurry and not of much use, however,

I still go with Joe H. on Powder Post Beetles (or Old House Borers, depending on hole size, but I think it is Powder Post Beetles).


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Originally Posted By: Rick Hurst
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Most of the powder post damages I see doing pest control also is small ice pick size holes normally in ash paneling or trim.


The pic is not to clear as Jerry stated. Hard to be 100%


--
Rick Hurst
Home Works Inspections
Rowlett, Texas (Dallas)