WOOD DECAY FUNGI CONTROL NAPLES BONITA SPRINGS FORT MYERS FLORIDA

WOOD DECAY FUNGI

 

Few Organisms are capable of utilizing wood as a source of food energy.  Among these, wood decay fungi are the most important of these organisms.  Wood Decay Fungi is important and is a beneficial organisms in the natural ecology of the world’s forests.

Wood Decay Fungi are plants which lack chlorophyll.  Therefore, since they cannot produce their own carbohydrate food, they live on carbohydrates contained or stored in wood.  The fungal reproductive body or spore (seed) germinates when the proper conditions of oxygen, temperature and moisture exist, by developing threadlike hyphae.  These hyphae secrete enzymes which break down wood into usable food.  The hyphae of some fungi form thick root like strands called rhizomorphs which allow them to conduct water long distances.  Eventually fruiting structures called sporophores (some are called mushrooms, toadstools, and conks) are produced.

Decay of wood in structures is a problem in moist, humid climate areas.  Moisture in some form is necessary for the growth of fungi that causes rot.  When wood is used in the construction of a building, it should be well seasoned, so that it does not contain enough natural moisture to support decay fungi.

Wood-decaying fungi causes as much, if not more, damage to structures each year than do termites.  These fungi, primarily brown, rot including the water conducting fungi, and white rot, are found throughout the United States, although some are restricted to areas of warmer and or more humid conditions.

Some people term this as “dry” rot.  There is no such thing a “dry rot”.  All wood must have moisture of over 20% in order for the wood decay fungi to attack.  There are many types of fungi damaging wood here in Southwest Florida.  It is necessary to at least be able to determine the type of fungi causing the damage at hand: Sap-Staining fungi (blue-stain fungi), Surface-Staining fungi (molds and mildews), White Pocket Rot, Brown Rot, Water-conducting Fungi (dry-rot, or White Rot.

The first step in controlling wood decay fungi is to locate signs of moisture problems.  Then remove all the damaged wood and live active growing fungi.  Since fungi is created from excess moisture and to keep the fungi from returning, lowering the moisture percentage in the area to below 20% and humidity below 50% will help stop fungi growth.  Sometimes these changes can be as simple as more air flow into the area and other times on exterior wood it may need to be changed regularly.

If you live in Naples, Fort Myers, or Southwest Florida call 239-455-4300 Collier Pest Control, Southwest Florida’s Pest Authority, for a complete explanation on termites, wood destroying insects, wood decay fungi, or any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

 

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