Knowledgebase

wood boring inspects #876710

Asked July 10, 2024, 3:42 PM EDT

Our redwood deck railing has new wood boring insects, not like our normal wood bees.  We think they look like wasps and seem to have gathered grasses to pull into holes (made originally by wood bees but enlarged by woodpeckers), possibly to make nests.  What do you think they are?  Reading suggests Wood Wasps as a possibility.  We live in Ann Arbor and this would be a new one for us.  How troublesome are they?  What is the best way to get rid of them?  Is it a professional job?  Would a regular bug company like Orkin be a good choice or would a ‘critter control’ outfit be better?
thank you


Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Good afternoon and thank you for reaching out. Would it be possible for you to attach photos of the deck as well as potentially any insects that you see? Photos really help our experts respond with solid recommendations.
Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/ Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health   Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. Replied July 11, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
Sounds like a grass carrying wasp. They prey on tree crickets and will carry them to their nests. If the photos on the article match what you see, there's no cause for concern. They typically take advantage of existing holes and don't bore deeply. They are unlikely to sting people.
David Lowenstein Replied July 12, 2024, 4:50 PM EDT

Loading ...