It’s not unusual for critters to take shelter in warm, dry spaces, but some pests can wreak more havoc on your home than others. Certain bugs like to burrow through drywall and lay eggs, which leads to a cycle of destruction that can ruin entire walls. You’ll need pest control services to remove the infestation and a drywall repair specialist to restore your home. Here are the main culprits behind drywall damage.

Which Pests Lead to Drywall Damage?

1. Maggots

These small white worms are actually fly larvae. Flies lay their eggs in decaying organic material, such as animal remains or droppings, so that their young can feed when they hatch. If there are maggots in your drywall, there may be other animals living in your walls, and the larvae will feed on them or their droppings. 

Additionally, maggots are more likely to be found in damp environments. Therefore, their presence may indicate a leak or humidity problem in your home.

2. Termites

The most common pest-related cause of drywall damage is termites. These insects will eat through your drywall to reach the wood underneath, causing serious structural damage. 

Termites are notoriously fast workers, so if you notice holes mysteriously forming in the walls, call an exterminator immediately. The damage will likely be much more extensive within your walls than what's visible from the outside.

3. Wood Wasps

Wood wasps bore holes in drywall, not for sustenance but to lay their eggs in the wood behind it. Developing larvae will burrow back through the wood until they emerge into the light of your home. 

While tiny larvae don’t leave big enough trails to cause alarm, those that surface as adults leave large holes that can invite termites and other pests. A prompt drywall repair will patch up these vulnerabilities and help prevent future infestations.

4. Powderpost Beetles

Powderpost beetles are a family of wood-boring beetles that can cause serious damage to the wood in your home. They dig through drywall to eat and deposit eggs in the wood beneath like many pests, but they also feast on the drywall itself. 

In many cases, the only signs of infestation are the tiny round holes made by adults exiting the wall. The adults can then lay their eggs in other wood surfaces in the house, including furniture, flooring, and other parts of the wall.
 

If your drywall was a meal for some uninvited guests, have the experts at BRS Custom Painting of Wentzville, MO, reverse the damage. Serving St. Louis and St. Charles counties, their team provides reliable drywall repairs that will erase any evidence of a past infestation. After the surface is smoothed over, you can also count on these skilled contractors for interior painting services. Call (636) 219-9749 today to schedule a free consultation and estimate. To learn more about what these painters will do for your home, visit their website.