Foundation Damage due to Insect Attack

Another cause of conventional wood foundation damage is insect attack. They can attack foundations usually above ground level. The insects that are responsible for maximum damage are

a. Wood boring insect

b. Carpenter ants

In the last post we have leant about rotting damage of foundation. Like rotting these are also related to ambient temperature but less dependent upon moisture content within timber. This damage done by insects is more significant in wet or unseasoned timber member.

In dry timber member, the infestation is unlikely to occur. The word ‘infestation’ means presence of many pest organisms on surface of host (here timber) or in the soil or anything which remains in contact with host.

The capability of a timber member to fight with organisms resulting decay within it is called natural durability. Some timber species have such natural durability and can safely be used. But in case of species that posses less durability, have to be treated with preservative and require good practice both in design and construction to resist degradation discussed in this and last posts.

Within a country, some parts are less exposed to insect attacks than others. Most boring insects become active between (32⁰F and 85⁰F). Wood which is damaged by fungus rotting is readily vulnerable to be attacked by such insects. In case of poles and caissons at beaches, identical conditions are also observed.