Wood-Destroying Insects
in Houston & Fort Bend County.

Subterranean termites are widespread across Texas, especially in coastal regions, and cause over $500 million in structural damage annually in the state. These termites build underground colonies and access structures through hidden mud tubes built along foundation walls and plumbing. Because they remain concealed inside wood and soil, infestations routinely go undetected until severe structural damage has already occurred.

Formosan termites are one of the most aggressive and destructive termite species in North America — and they are well-established throughout the entire Houston metropolitan area. Colonies grow rapidly, reaching over one million members within five years of establishment. Formosan termites consume wood at a significantly faster rate than native subterranean species and can build aerial carton nests inside walls without soil contact, making them uniquely difficult to detect and control.

Unlike subterranean species, drywood termites do not require soil contact and can infest dry, structural wood anywhere inside a home — including attic framing, furniture, door frames, and wall trim. They often go unnoticed for years, silently causing extensive internal damage before any outward signs appear. Identification relies on finding characteristic frass (fecal pellets) near small entry holes in wood surfaces — something the untrained eye frequently misses.

In Fort Bend County, carpenter ants are the most commonly observed wood-destroying insect after termites. These large ants tunnel through wood to build their nests — not to eat it — creating smooth, clean galleries that weaken structural members over time. Their presence is frequently a secondary indicator: carpenter ants are strongly attracted to moist, damaged, or previously compromised wood, meaning an active carpenter ant infestation often signals an underlying moisture problem that requires independent evaluation.

Carpenter bees bore perfectly round, clean entry holes approximately half an inch in diameter into untreated exterior wood to lay their eggs — not to consume it. Decks, fence posts, eaves, soffits, and wood trim are common targets. While a single carpenter bee causes limited damage, repeated nesting across multiple seasons and multiple bees can significantly weaken exterior wood members. Their tunnels also invite secondary infestations from woodpeckers, other insects, and moisture intrusion.

Wood-boring beetles cause structural damage during their larval stage, as beetle larvae tunnel through wood creating winding galleries that compromise integrity. The damage can go unseen for years — the larvae live inside the wood, and the adult beetle only becomes visible when it emerges through a small exit hole. Different beetle species (powder post beetles, old house borers, false powder post beetles) require specific treatment approaches, making accurate identification by a licensed inspector critical for effective control.