Incidence of wood destroying organisms in Oregon residential structures

The incidence of wood-destroying organisms in homes was surveyed in Oregon. Decay fungi were the most common wood-destroying organisms, except in the drier, eastern region, where termites were more common, and in the wet, coastal region, where wood-boring beetles (Anobiidae) were equally common. A number of building practices appeared to be related to the incidence of wood-destroying organisms, but the most common was the presence of woody debris around and under buildings. The results suggest that better education of builders and homeowners about removal of woody debris would help reduce the incidence of wood-destroying organisms in buildings.