Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Bellingham Home Inspection (King of the House): Moisture Ants

It seems that everyone I have run into has heard of carpenter ants. Next to termites, carpenter ants are an infamous wood destroying organism.

Another ant, tends to be smaller, that can really raise havoc is the moisture ant, or cornfield ant. These ants are not as aggressive as carpenter ants. Carpenter ants will move into sound, non-distressed, wood.

The moisture ants move into wood that is extremely wet, soft and rotten to begin with. Below is a photo of what is called moisture ant "carton" and it is below a toilet that was leaking in Point Roberts, WA. Replacing damaged lumber and repairing a leak should take care of this pest. If you want to see a list of all of the wood destroying organisms found in this region, you can check out my recent video.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Comments

Until your video I had never heard of moisture ants.  I guess we don't have them here.

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) over 1 year ago

Jay,

Maybe you don't. Boy you got pretty far into it to see those fellows.

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) over 1 year ago

If you are referring to your video, I watched the whole thing.

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) over 1 year ago

Jay,

You are a real trooper.

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) over 1 year ago

I like to learn.  I am not the bug guy around here (and don't want to be) so any chance to learn about it I will take!  Thanks for the great presentation.

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) over 1 year ago

Steve,

Good photo. I have yet to see them here and wonder how prevalent they are here. I rarely see the moisture issues as on your side of the state.

Don

Posted by Donald Hester NCW Home Inspections, LLC (NCW Home Inspections, LLC) over 1 year ago

Don,

You could get them if conditions were right -- plumbing leak, etc. But the drier it is the less likely. I just used your carpenter ant photo in my latest video on WDO's....great shot.

Steve

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) over 1 year ago

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