As real estate agents serving the Triad area of North Carolina, we’re always on the lookout for red flags that could impact a home's value, safety, or marketability. One of the most overlooked—but potentially costly—issues is hidden beneath your feet: moisture damage and wood-destroying insects like powderpost beetles.

Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or you’re house hunting in the Triad, it’s crucial to understand what’s happening in the crawl space and basement areas of a property. These spaces play a huge role in the health and longevity of your home—and they often get ignored during showings.

That’s why we recently connected with Eric Leibold from Stark Exterminators, a local expert in pest control, to learn what buyers and sellers should be looking for when it comes to moisture problems and beetle activity in homes.



🪲 What Are Powderpost Beetles, and Why Should You Care?

Powderpost beetles are small insects that bore into exposed wood and leave behind pinholes and a fine, powdery dust called frass. They thrive in moist environments and often go undetected until there’s visible structural damage. If you're preparing to list your home, these pests could affect your inspection report—and your sale.

🚩 Signs of Infestation During a Home Showing or Walkthrough:

As experienced realtors, here are the top warning signs we recommend looking out for during any home tour, pre-listing inspection, or buyer walkthrough:

  • Tiny, round holes in wood (often in groups or lines)

  • Piles of light sawdust (frass) beneath the holes

  • Sagging or decaying wood in the crawl space

  • Musty odors coming from the basement or foundation area

  • High humidity or moisture levels (above 20%)

If you're buying a home and notice any of these signs, it's important to consult a pest control expert right away—or budget for treatment and repairs in your negotiation.

💧 Moisture is the #1 Enemy in Real Estate Deals

According to Stark Exterminators, moisture is the leading cause of pest problems in North Carolina homes. Crawl spaces without vapor barriers, dehumidifiers, or proper ventilation are prime environments for not only beetles, but also termites, rodents, carpenter ants, and even snakes.

“If we walk into a crawl space and see no vapor barrier,” Eric shared, “it's like—well, no wonder there's a problem.”

🛠 How These Issues Are Treated

For powderpost beetles, treatment typically involves applying a borate solution to the exposed wood. The product includes a blue dye to indicate that the wood has been treated, and a follow-up inspection is usually done after one year.

But the best solution? Prevention. If you're getting ready to put your house on the market or help a client buy a home, it pays to get ahead of these problems.

🏠 Realtor Tip: Why This Matters for Buyers & Sellers

These issues aren’t just structural—they can delay closings, derail negotiations, or cause buyers to walk away entirely. As real estate professionals, we’re here to help you navigate inspections, repairs, and trusted contractors so you can make smart decisions with peace of mind.

We want our clients to feel confident that the home they’re buying—or selling—is safe, sound, and investment-worthy.

Your best bet? Annual inspections, good ventilation, and keeping that crawl space dry and clean. If you suspect an issue—or just want peace of mind—reach out to the experts.

👷‍♂️ Contact Stark Exterminators

Eric and his team are knowledgeable, experienced, and ready to help with any wood-destroying insect problems you might have:

🌐 starkexterminators.com
📞 (888) 642-0604
📱
Facebook – Stark Exterminators



🎥 Watch the Full Interview Here:
Get expert insights directly from Eric Leibold of Stark Exterminators. Click here to watch the full conversation!



🔎 Buying or Selling a Home in the Triad?

If you're considering buying a home in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, or the surrounding Triad area, or preparing your home for sale, we’re here to help. We don’t just show houses—we connect you with the best local resources, including pest control, inspectors, contractors, and more.

Let us be your go-to guide for all things real estate in North Carolina.



📧 Karie Carico | Keller Williams Realty
📱 Call or Text: 336-560-9519
📨 Email: KarieCarico@kw.com

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