What moisture content is generally considered safe to prevent wood decay?

To effectively prevent wood decay, maintaining a moisture content of 20% or lower is essential. When wood exceeds this moisture level, it creates an environment conducive to fungal growth, which can lead to decay and structural damage over time. The 20% threshold is significant because it is often recognized as the upper limit where wood starts to risk decay due to moisture accumulation.

While higher moisture content levels, such as 25% or 30%, greatly increase the risk of wood decay, staying below the 20% moisture threshold ensures a more durable and resilient structure. This understanding is crucial for pest control professionals, as they must identify and address moisture issues to protect wooden structures from pests that thrive in damp conditions.