Dear James: I’m making house repairs and noticed insect damage to the wood. Other than using pressure-treated lumber, can I treat the wood with a safe chemical to deter insects?—Jamie G.
Dear Jamie: Stopping insects before they enter your house is always better than trying to treat an infestation once it is established. Insects can cause direct structural damage or increase the wood’s susceptibility to fungal or biological decay, causing many more problems in the future. The key to preventing wood rot is controlling the wood’s exposure to moisture and effectively preventing insect problems.
